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Gabapentin

Drug Class: Commonly Known As: Category:
Neurontin

Gabapentin - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Gabapentin cause?

​Common side effects of gabapentin include:

  • Nausea
    • Take the medication with or after food to reduce nausea
  • Drowsiness
    • Avoid driving or engaging in activities that require concentration
  • Dizziness
    • Avoid driving or engaging in activities that require concentration. Get up slowly from a sitting or lying down position.
  • Swelling of hands or legs     
  • Fatigue (Feeling of tiredness)    
  • Muscle weakness

Rare but serious side effects include:

  • Blurring of your vision or loss of vision
  • Worsening agitation, restlessness or violent behaviour

 The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Before taking Gabapentin , what precautions must I follow?

​Inform your healthcare professional if:

  • You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
  • You have a history of:
    • Kidney condition
    • Myasthenia Gravis (an immune disease that causes muscle weakness)
    • Mental health conditions
  • You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
  • You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Gabapentin ?

  • ​Avoid drinking alcohol while taking gabapentin as it can cause excessive drowsiness.
  • Take antacids at least two hours apart from gabapentin, as they may reduce the amount of medication being taken up by your body.

Gabapentin - Additional Information

  • Updated on 9/30/2021 12:00:00 AM
  • Article contributed by PSS National Medication Information Workgroup PSS National Medication Information Workgroup
The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

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