• Gabapentin ,
• Tags: anticonvulsants, Gabapentin, Neurontin, Side Effects of Gabapentin
• 20 May

Gabapentin is a prescription medicine that’s used to treat partial seizures in adults and children who are at least 3 years old.

More commonly, it’s prescribed for nerve pain that’s caused by herpes-family viruses (for which it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) or other causes for which it is prescribed “off-label.”

Gabapentin is in a class of drugs called anticonvulsants. The medicine works by calming excitement in the brain and changing the way your body senses pain.

Different brands of gabapentin are given for specific medical conditions. It’s important that you only take the brand name that your doctor prescribes.

The FDA approved this medicine in 1993.

What is the Side Effects of Gabapentin ?

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:

More common

1. 1. 1. Clumsiness or unsteadiness
      2. continuous, uncontrolled, back-and-forth, or rolling eye movements

More common in children

1. 1. 1. Aggressive behavior or other behavior problems
      2. anxiety
      3. concentration problems and change in school performance
      4. crying
      5. depression
      6. false sense of well-being
      7. hyperactivity or increase in body movements
      8. rapidly changing moods
      9. reacting too quickly, too emotional, or overreacting
      10. restlessness
      11. suspiciousness or distrust

Less common

1. 1. 1. Black, tarry stools
      2. chest pain
      3. chills
      4. cough
      5. depression, irritability, or other mood or mental changes
      6. fever
      7. loss of memory
      8. pain or swelling in the arms or legs
      9. painful or difficult urination
      10. sore throat
      11. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
      12. swollen glands
      13. unusual bleeding or bruising
      14. unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

1. 1. 1. Abdominal or stomach pain
      2. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
      3. clay-colored stools
      4. coma
      5. confusion
      6. convulsions
      7. dark urine
      8. decreased urine output
      9. diarrhea
      10. difficult or troubled breathing
      11. dizziness
      12. fast or irregular heartbeat
      13. headache
      14. increased thirst
      15. irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
      16. itching or skin rash
      17. joint pain
      18. large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
      19. loss of appetite
      20. muscle ache or pain
      21. nausea
      22. pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
      23. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
      24. red, irritated eyes
      25. unpleasant breath odor
      26. vomiting of blood
      27. yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common Side Effects of Gabapentin

1. 1. 1. Blurred vision
      2. cold or flu-like symptoms
      3. delusions
      4. dementia
      5. hoarseness
      6. lack or loss of strength
      7. lower back or side pain
      8. swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs
      9. trembling or shaking

Less common or rare

1. 1. 1. 1. Accidental injury
         2. appetite increased
         3. back pain
         4. bloated or full feeling
         5. body aches or pain
         6. burning, dry, or itching eyes
         7. change in vision
         8. change in walking and balance
         9. clumsiness or unsteadiness
         10. congestion
         11. constipation
         12. cough producing mucus
         13. decrease in sexual desire or ability
         14. dryness of the mouth or throat
         15. earache
         16. excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
         17. excessive tearing
         18. eye discharge
         19. feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness
         20. feeling of warmth or heat
         21. flushed, dry skin
         22. flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
         23. frequent urination
         24. fruit-like breath odor
         25. impaired vision
         26. incoordination
         27. increased hunger
         28. increased sensitivity to pain
         29. increased sensitivity to touch
         30. increased thirst
         31. indigestion
         32. noise in the ears
         33. pain, redness, rash, swelling, or bleeding where the skin is rubbed off
         34. passing gas
         35. redness or swelling in the ear
         36. redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
         37. runny nose
         38. sneezing
         39. sweating
         40. tender, swollen glands in the neck
         41. tightness in the chest
         42. tingling in the hands and feet
         43. trouble sleeping
         44. trouble swallowing
         45. trouble thinking
         46. twitching
         47. unexplained weight loss
         48. voice changes
         49. vomiting
         50. weakness or loss of strength
         51. weight gain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.