Stopping gabapentin suddenly can cause serious problems, including increasing your risk of seizures (if you are taking gabapentin to control seizures) or not improving your symptoms (if taking gabapentin for other indications). Also, never change your dose without talking to your provider first. Always take gabapentin exactly as prescribed. Gabapentin is used to help control partial seizures (convulsions) in the treatment of epilepsy. This medicine cannot cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures for as long as you continue to take it. Gabapentin is also used to manage a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which is pain that occurs after shingles. Gabapentin is a medication that treats nerve pain by calming overactive nerves in your body. It may also prevent and control seizures in people with epilepsy. You can take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Talk to your provider about medications you currently take to avoid drug interaction. Older adults who take gabapentin also are at higher risk of breathing problems. Because gabapentin can enhance the psychological effect of opioids, it has the potential to be abused and has contributed to drug overdose deaths. Drugs such as gabapentin have been linked in rare cases to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. 12. What painkiller can I take with gabapentin? Generally, Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen) can be taken with gabapentin, but it’s always best to confirm with your doctor. 13. Is gabapentin bad for the heart? Gabapentin can cause fluid retention, which may be associated with cardiovascular diseases. 14. It's important you do not suddenly stop taking gabapentin, even if you feel fine. Stopping gabapentin suddenly can cause serious problems. If you have epilepsy, stopping gabapentin suddenly can cause seizures that will not stop. If you're taking it for any reason and stop suddenly, you may have a severe withdrawal syndrome. You'll usually take gabapentin 3 times a day. You can take it with or without food. Most people who take gabapentin do not get any side effects. But some people may feel sleepy, tired and dizzy. Common side effects are usually mild and go away by themselves. It takes at least a few weeks for gabapentin to work. If you’re taking gabapentin more than once a day, it’s best to space out your doses as evenly as you can. Taking them too close together could put you at a higher risk for side effects. Doing so can also make gabapentin less effective since only so much of it can be absorbed at once. Horizant: If a dose is missed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time Gralise: If a dose is missed, take with food as soon as they remember; if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time; do not take two doses at the same time Storage: In rare instances, gabapentin can cause allergic reactions, including severe damage to organs. 8. Should I drink more water while taking gabapentin? Yes, it’s essential to stay hydrated while taking gabapentin to avoid dehydration. This will also help the body process the medication correctly. 9. Can I take vitamin D with gabapentin? Yes, gabapentin can be taken with certain pain relievers. However, it is important to discuss this with a healthcare provider as some pain relievers can interact with gabapentin and increase the risk of side effects or make the gabapentin less effective. Can Gabapentin Be Used to Treat Anxiety? Yes, gabapentin can be used to treat anxiety. If gabapentin does not work for you or believe the side effects are too severe, here’s a set of other drugs that do the same job. Pregabalin (Lyrica) This drug is also an anticonvulsant, and just like Gabapentin, you can take it for epilepsy, nerve pain, and anxiety. It differs from Gabapentin in terms of dosage and frequency of administration. About 30 to 40% of people who take gabapentin can reduce their pain by half. However, up to 60% of people don't experience pain relief but do have side effects. Taking gabapentin can make you sleepy. According to studies, about 20% of people taking gabapentin experience drowsiness or fatigue. It may be even more likely, affecting 20% to 30% of people, with Horizant. Taking too much gabapentin is rarely fatal on its own, but it can be deadly if the gabapentin is taken with other substances, like alcohol or opioids. For this reason, it’s important to only use gabapentin as prescribed and avoid taking it with other substances, especially illicit drugs. Take steps to prevent falls at home, like removing loose rugs. Get immediate medical help if you experience a rash, fever, trouble breathing, or facial swelling while taking gabapentin. Don't abruptly stop taking gabapentin because you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, confusion, insomnia, nausea, pain, and sweating Seizures may increase if you stop using gabapentin suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine. 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. Before taking this Gabapentin may cause slow and shallow breathing, especially if you have breathing problems from another condition or take other medicines that can slow your breathing. See the Interactions section If you take an antacid containing aluminum and magnesium, such as Maalox®*, Mylanta®*, Gelusil®*, Gaviscon®*, or Di-Gel®*, you should wait at least 2 hours before taking your next dose of gabapentin. If you take too much gabapentin, call your healthcare provider or your local Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222.
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