Dr. Arjun Srivastav What is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is a prescription medicine primarily used to treat nerve-related pain and seizure disorders. It works by calming abnormal nerve activity in the brain and nervous system.
Gabapentin is a type of medicine that provides relief from shingles and several other cases of nerve pain.
Even though the main use of this medicine is given by the doctors to cure seizures and epileptic attacks, the doctors can also recommend the medicine in other cases, like-
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Herpes zoster infection
- Neuralgia
Using the medicine, the patient will get relief from signs of nerve pain and other issues like disturbances of the sleep cycle, headache, migraine, and alcohol or substance addiction, and so on.
If you have to use Gabapentin in Australia, you need to go to a doctor and get the medicine recommended on a prescription. Remember that it is only the generic element inside which is gabapentin.
Some of the popular names of its brands are Gabapin, Gabanyl, Gabadon, Gab lent, and so on.
Uses of Gabapentin
Neuropathic (nerve) pain
Diabetic neuropathy
Post-herpetic neuralgia (shingles pain)
Epilepsy (as add-on therapy for partial seizures)
Restless Legs Syndrome (low-dose formulations)
Sometimes prescribed for anxiety and migraine prevention (off-label)
How does Gabapentin work?
- Binds to calcium channels in nerve cells
- Reduces excessive nerve signals that cause pain and seizures
- Helps calm overactive nerves
- After taking the medicine for a few minutes, the generic element of the pill, that is Gabapentin, activates.
- It can make its way into the nervous system in your body, where it has effects in your brain and the spinal cord.
- It changes or reduces the presence of certain enzymes and reduces the nerve activity of the brain cells.
- This is how you are able to get rid of nerve pain in any case.
- It can produce such effects as long as it is active.
How is the Gabapentin?
- To use Gabapentin daily, you need a doctor to approve it for you first.
- The way to use Gabapentin as recommended by the doctors is to take it at the same time daily.
- Since you want to get into its actions before taking it, as soon as you begin having signs of nerve pain, even though it is feeble, only.
- For intake, peel out the medicine and simply swallow it with water.
- Alcohol or any kind of other addictive substance has to be avoided after its use.
Dosage & Administration
Dose varies based on condition and patient response
Usually taken 1–3 times daily
Can be taken with or without food
Do not stop suddenly without medical advice
Strength and Substitute
- Gabapentin has several strengths, and the doctors are going to tell you to use a specific strength of any suitable brand.
- Now this is based on primary things like how severe re seizure or any other condition you are facing.
- Apart from this, the doctors recommend any strength, given your age and other health issues, to reduce any chance of side effects.
Strengths
✓ Here are the strengths that are approved by the TGA for using gabapentin among adults in Australia-
- Generic Gabapentin
- Gabantin Forte Tablet (Gabapentin / Methylcobalamin / Mecobalamin)
- Gabapin
Substitutes
✓ Some of the other generic drug elements used for the same reasons to cure nerve pain are-
- Pregabalin
- Duloxetine
- Topimarate
You can go for using any of these substitutes as welltheyeyse also have TGA approval. However, using any brand of such elements requires you to consult with the doctors.
Dosage
Here is how a doctor will recommend you use Gabapentin dosage-
✓ For mild issues-
Use up to 100 mg single pill daily.
✓ For severe issues
- Take a minimum of 300 mg dose or increase it to 450 mg or 600 mg as suitable.
- Take it daily for at least a few weeks.
- In adults, the higher dose can go up to 2400 mg per day with three tablets of 800 mg or four tablets of 600 mg for severe nerve pain issues.
✓ What Occurs If I Overdose On This Medicine?
An overdose of Gabapentin is never safe for your health.
A higher amount of Gabapentin in your body can cause side effects like-
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Palpitations
- Sweating
Tell your doctor right away if you have used it in excess.
✓ What Occurs If I Miss Taking A Dose?
- Without using the medicine daily, you will not get the best effects.
- See, Gabapentin pills only show their actions when you keep taking them for a few days.
Drug interactions
Studies show that Gabapentin acts as a type of stimulant for the brain. Because of its effects, it is not suitable to take it with the following types of medicines-
- SSRI inhibitors
- Pills to cure depression and anxiety
- Other brain stimulants
- Medicines for compulsive brain disorder
- High doses of painkillers
- Sleep-inducing medicines
Talk to the doctors if you are using any such kind of pill already. It will be helpful for the doctors to assess if you carry samples of your ongoing medicines or prescriptions to the doctor.
There is a rare chance that people may have an allergic tendency to using Gabapentin.
In such a case, you can develop side effects like-
- Rashes
- Inflammation
- Itching
Side Effects
Gabapentin may have a chance of showing side effects, particularly because of an overdose or interaction with other items such as alcohol and other medicines.
➦ Common Effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Palpitations
- Vomiting
- Flushing
Usually, your body should adjust to the effects of the medicine and get rid of these side effects in a couple of days.
In case any mild side effect continues for more than a few days or get severe, contact your doctor.
➦ Intense Effects
There is a very slim chance of having any major side effects if you follow the doctor’s recommended dose. However, such issues are possible if you use it along with interacting medicines and alcohol.
Here is a list of the more intense issues-
- Muscle cramps
- Severe headache
- Suicidal thoughts
- Sudden changes in emotion
- Heart attack
Stop taking your medicine right away and go to the doctor.
Warnings & Precautions
✓ Alcohol
- Alcohol makes you feel drowsy and weak, which can increase fatigue and sleepiness tendencies.
- In a way, it reduces the action of Gabapentin pills.
- In addition, it can also interact and commonly cause all the minor side effects like dizziness and nausea for the patient.
✓ Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Avoid using the Gabapentin pills in case you are pregnant or breastfeeding, nd the doctors do not recommend this pill.
✓ Other health issues
Tell your doctor about your other health issues, if any, like-
- Insomnia
- Severe depression
- Seizures
- Heart disorder
- Liver or kidney problems
✓ Driving
Even though the effects of Gabapentin increase alertness, we suggest you take rest for a few minutes to rest. Avoid driving in case any side effects like dizziness or nausea occur.
Precautions
Avoid alcohol (increases drowsiness)
Use caution when driving or operating machinery
Inform your doctor if you have kidney problems
Dose adjustment may be needed in elderly patients
Benefits
Use of gabapentin gives temporary nerve pain relief. While it may help you to feel relaxed, remember it is not the remedy to get rid of the disorder. For that, you need a suitable medicine.
Where can I buy gabapentin in Australia?
Visit AustraliaRXMeds, which is approved by the medical authorities in the country as the only licensed portal to sell prescription pills like Gabapentin.
Quick Summary
Gabapentin is widely used for nerve pain and seizures. It is effective when taken regularly as prescribed and should be tapered slowly if discontinued.
FAQs
