Neurontin
Gabapentin is a prescription drug, marketed as Neurontin and Horizant, that's used to treat epilepsy.
Doctors can prescribe gabapentin to treat epilepsy in people older than 12, and partial seizures in children ages 3 to 12.
Gabapentin may also be prescribed to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS), to relieve numbness and tingling related to diabetes, to prevent hot flashes, and to relieve pain that can accompany shingles (known as postherpetic neuralgia).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved gabapentin in 1993 under the brand name Neurontin for the drug manufacturer Pfizer.
In 2003, the FDA approved generic gabapentin, and it's now made by several drug companies.
An extended-release form of gabapentin is available under the brand name Horizant.
In 2004, the drug maker Pfizer settled charges for marketing Neurontin for unapproved uses, and agreed to pay $430 million.
While it's legal for a doctor to prescribe drugs for off-label purposes, it's illegal for a drug manufacturer to actively promote off-label uses.
A study in the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia in 2013 revealed that gabapentin may help ease moderate to high levels of anxiety among people about to have surgery.
The researchers noted that doctors are increasingly using the drug to treat pain after surgery as well as a variety of psychiatric diseases, such as chronic anxiety disorders.
Gabapentin Warnings
You should know that gabapentin may increase the risk for suicide.
Suicidal thoughts or behavior occurs in about one in 500 people taking medications like gabapentin. This risk may begin within a week of starting treatment.
Let your doctor know if you experience:
- Thoughts of suicide
- Symptoms of depression
- Aggression
- Irritability
- Panic attacks
- Extreme worry
- Restlessness
- Acting without thinking
- Abnormal excitement
You should also let friends and family members know about these symptoms.
If you have any thoughts of suicide, or if a friend or family member thinks you are acting strange, call your doctor right away.
Children ages 3 to 12 may experience behavior changes while taking gabapentin.
These changes could include restlessness, inability to pay attention, poor performance at school, and angry or aggressive behavior.
Children younger than age 3 should not take gabapentin to treat seizures.
Also, children should not take gabapentin to treat postherpetic neuralgia.
If you are older than 75 or have kidney disease, use caution when taking gabapentin.
Drinking alcohol may make some side effects of gabapentin more severe.
Once you start taking gabapentin, don't stop suddenly or you could experience withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, sleep disturbance, nausea, pain, and sweating.
You need to reduce your dose of gabapentin gradually over a period of at least one week.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any prescription pain medications called opiates. These medications may increase drowsiness or dizziness when you also take gabapentin.
Your doctor will also want to know if you have kidney disease, if you have any surgery planned (including dental), or if you have ever had a problem with drug or alcohol abuse.