Serious side effects of gabapentin. Along with its needed effects, gabapentin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking gabapentin: More common side effects Side effects include weakness, fatigue, sleepiness, dizziness and depression. By the way, the official prescribing information lists “ asthenia ” as one of the important gabapentin side effects. Asthenia means “abnormal physical weakness or lack of energy” ( RxList ). There are postmarketing reports of withdrawal symptoms shortly after discontinuing this drug. The most frequently reported reactions with abrupt discontinuation have included anxiety, insomnia, nausea, pain, and sweating. Discontinuation at higher than recommended doses have been associated with agitation, disorientation and confusion. Serious side effects. Very few people taking gabapentin have serious problems. Call a doctor or call 111 straight away if you have a serious side effect, including: thoughts of harming or killing yourself – a small number of people taking gabapentin have had suicidal thoughts, which can happen after only a week of treatment Gabapentin is fairly safe when you use it correctly. It does come with some possible side effects, though. People who misuse this drug are also at risk of additional side effects. Gabapentin is Gabapentin can cause several common side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue. Other commonly reported side effects include headache, nausea, and blurred vision. These side effects are usually mild and tend to improve over time as the body adjusts to the medication.In rare cases, gabapentin may cause more serious side effects Most studies show that gabapentin improves slow wave sleep (“deep sleep”) and total sleep time. Two small studies showed that gabapentin may help people with primary insomnia and occasional sleep disturbance improve total sleep time and wakefulness in the morning. Mood or mental changes, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse. Kidney disease (eg, patients receiving dialysis)—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body. Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Side effects of gabapentin. Common side effects of gabapentin include: drowsiness or dizziness; headache or blurred vision; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; dry mouth; weight gain; swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles; back or joint pain; flulike symptoms such as fever or body aches. Rare but serious side effects. Rare but serious The most common gabapentin (Neurontin) side effects are dizziness and drowsiness. This may affect your ability to drive or perform other activities. Other gabapentin side effects include edema (fluid buildup), weight gain, and eye problems, but these aren’t as common. Risks and Side Effects. While gabapentin can offer benefits for sleep, it’s not without potential risks and side effects. Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue, which can be particularly pronounced when the medication is first initiated or when dosages are adjusted. For common side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and fatigue, it's often helpful to take gabapentin at bedtime to minimize the impact on your daily activities. It's also advisable to avoid driving or operating machinery until you understand how the medication affects you. The most common gabapentin side effect is drowsiness, says Saxon. That sleepy feeling may be more pronounced when you first start taking gabapentin and then slowly goes away as your body adjusts However, misusing gabapentin can lead to more severe sleep-related side effects. Plus, those taking gabapentin for reasons other than insomnia may find the drowsiness uncomfortable. If you or someone you love is taking gabapentin without a prescription or struggling with substance use, Zinnia Health can offer the guidance you need. Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) is a medicine used to help manage certain epileptic seizures. It also is used to relieve pain for some conditions, such as shingles. Dizziness and drowsiness are common side effects of gabapentin. Some other possible side effects include weight gain and trouble with movement. Some gabapentin side effects, such as feeling drowsy, are more likely to occur when you start taking the medicine. These side effects may go away as your body adjusts. Avoid driving, operating machinery or other activities that could be dangerous if you're dizzy, drowsy or not steady. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how gabapentin will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries. Do not stop using gabapentin suddenly, even if you feel fine. You should not take gabapentin if you are allergic to it. Common side effects when using gabapentin as a sleep aid can include dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue. These effects may be more pronounced in the beginning of treatment and often subside as the body adjusts to the medication. However, it’s important to be aware of these potential side effects, especially if operating heavy machinery or Common side effects of Neurontin include dizziness, sleepiness, loss of coordination, fatigue, drowsiness, fluid retention (edema), hostility, nausea, vomiting, difficulty speaking, jerky movements, unusual eye movements, double vision, tremors, memory loss, and unsteadiness.
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