Gabapentin (Systemic)

Brand Names : Neurontin, Novo-Gabapentin, GBP

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For gabapentin, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to gabapentin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Gabapentin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in pregnant animals have shown that gabapentin may cause bone or kidney problems in offspring when given to the mother in doses larger than the largest human dose. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding -

Children - This medicine has been tested in children 3 years to 12 years of age. Children may be sensitive to the effects of gabapentin. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment. Certain side effects may be especially likely to occur in children. It is especially important that you discuss with the child's doctor the good that this medicine may do as well as the risks of using it..

Adolescents - This medicine has been tested in a small number of patients 12 to 18 years of age. In effective doses, gabapentin has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Older adults - Gabapentin is removed from the body more slowly in elderly people than in younger people. Higher blood levels may occur, which may increase the chance of unwanted effects. Your doctor may give you a different gabapentin dose than a younger person would receive.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking gabapentin, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Antacids (e.g., Maalox) - Lower blood levels of gabapentin may occur, so gabapentin may not work properly; gabapentin should be taken at least 2 hours after any antacid is taken.

• Morphine (e.g., Kadian, MS Contin) - Higher blood levels of gabapentin may occur and there is an increased chance of side effects from the medicine. A lower dose of either medicine may be needed.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of gabapentin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease - Higher blood levels of gabapentin may occur, which may increase the chance of unwanted effects; your doctor may need to change your dose