Neurontin (Gabapentin) - Summary

NEURONTIN SUMMARY

Neurontin^® (gabapentin) Capsules, Neurontin^® (gabapentin) Tablets, and Neurontin^® (gabapentin) Oral Solution are supplied as imprinted hard shell capsules containing 100 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg of gabapentin, elliptical film-coated tablets containing 600 mg and 800 mg of gabapentin or an oral solution containing 250 mg/5 mL of gabapentin.

Postherpetic Neuralgia

Neurontin (gabapentin) is indicated for the management of postherpetic neuralgia in adults.

Epilepsy

Neurontin (gabapentin) is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures with and without secondary generalization in patients over 12 years of age with epilepsy. Neurontin is also indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in pediatric patients age 3 – 12 years.

See all Neurontin indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Neurontin (Gabapentin)

Epilepsy & Seizures Quiz: What Causes Seizures?
Source: MedicineNet Seizure Specialty [2017.09.19]
Title: Epilepsy & Seizures Quiz: What Causes Seizures?
Category: MedicineNet Quiz
Created: 2/17/2011 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/19/2017 5:25:51 PM

Pot Compound Alters Levels of Seizure Drug in Epilepsy Patients
Source: MedicineNet Seizure Specialty [2017.08.14]
Title: Pot Compound Alters Levels of Seizure Drug in Epilepsy Patients
Category: Health News
Created: 8/11/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/14/2017 12:00:00 AM

Number of Americans With Epilepsy at Record Level
Source: MedicineNet Brain Tumor Specialty [2017.08.11]
Title: Number of Americans With Epilepsy at Record Level
Category: Health News
Created: 8/10/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/11/2017 12:00:00 AM

Seizure (Epilepsy)
Source: MedicineNet Canavan Disease Specialty [2017.05.10]
Title: Seizure (Epilepsy)
Category: Symptoms and Signs
Created: 10/13/2003 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/10/2017 12:00:00 AM

Marijuana Derivative May Curb Tough-to-Treat Epilepsy
Source: MedicineNet topiramate Specialty [2016.12.07]
Title: Marijuana Derivative May Curb Tough-to-Treat Epilepsy
Category: Health News
Created: 12/6/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 12/7/2016 12:00:00 AM

more news >>

Published Studies Related to Neurontin (Gabapentin)

Comparing Gabapentin with Clonazepam for Residual Sleeping Problems following Antidepressant Therapy in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. [2015]
for treating residual sleeping disturbances... CONCLUSION: This study revealed that gabapentin is comparable to clonazepam for

The effect of a combination of gabapentin and donepezil in an experimental pain model in healthy volunteers: Results of a randomized controlled trial. [2014]
This double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-period cross-over, 4-treatment option, incomplete block study (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01485185), with an adaptive design for sample size re-estimation, was designed to evaluate gabapentin plus donepezil in an established experimental model of electrical hyperalgesia...

Efficacy and safety of gabapentin for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2014]
gabapentin for management of PHN... CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicates that gabapentin is an effective and

Sleep parameters and health-related quality of life with bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens: a randomized trial. [2014]
and active-controlled phase 3 trial... CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic postmenopausal women who are treated with BZA/CE for 1

The effects of gabapentin on methadone based addiction treatment: a randomized controlled trial. [2013]
Gabapentin is a potentially useful drug in alleviating the hyperexcitatory painful states in the control of opiate dependence in acute detoxification and the stabilization phase. This study aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of gabapentin adds-on methadone therapy on lowering the methadone... This drug leads to relief of withdrawal symptoms and lower methadone consumption.

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Neurontin (Gabapentin)

Gabapentin for Smoking Cessation [Completed]
Gabapentin is an anti-epileptic agent that has shown preliminary evidence of efficacy for improving symptoms of cocaine and alcohol withdrawal in pilot studies. Since the neurobiology of alcohol, cocaine and nicotine withdrawal is similar, the preliminary evidence of efficacy of gabapentin for symptoms of alcohol and cocaine withdrawal suggests, that gabapentin might likely help nicotine withdrawal symptoms and thus tobacco abstinence. The effect of gabapentin on two of the neurotransmitters, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate further suggest a potential therapeutic mechanism for gabapentin in tobacco abstinence. However, the exact mechanism of action of gabapentin is currently not known. We have recently completed an open label pilot trial of gabapentin for tobacco abstinence involving 50 smokers. The findings from that study provide promising preliminary results and suggest that further testing of gabapentin for helping cigarette smokers quit tobacco use is worth pursuing. Overall, gabapentin is well tolerated and has low abuse potential. Our goal is to evaluate novel, safe, acceptable, and effective therapies that may help increase tobacco abstinence rates. Currently, no randomized trials testing the efficacy of gabapentin for smoking abstinence have been published. While our previous study provides promising evidence regarding the potential efficacy of gabapentin for smoking abstinence, an additional dose ranging study is needed prior to pursuing a large randomized trial. The primary aim of the dose ranging study will be to obtain additional evidence of efficacy, and information on the optimal dose of gabapentin to employ in the larger randomized controlled trial.

Study of the Effect of the Drug Gabapentin on Postoperative Pain and Incidence of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting [Enrolling by invitation]

Pain Control in Pediatric Posterior Spine Fusion Patients: The Effect of Gabapentin [Recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the patient experience when using gabapentin with other pain control medications after posterior spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis in adolescents. These results will be compared to patients who underwent the same procedure during the study period and received the same standardized pain control regimen excluding gabapentin. Effects on pain level, opioid use, satisfaction and narcotic use after discharge from the hospital will be measured. Opioid side effects including nausea, sedation and urinary retention (inability to empty one's bladder) will also be recorded. The null hypotheses are as follows: 1. There is no significant difference in pain control when adding gabapentin to a multimodal pain management protocol in pediatric post-operative posterior spinal fusion patients. 2. There is no significant difference in the amount of opiate medication required for pain control in pediatric post-operative posterior spinal fusion patients.

The Effects of Gabapentin Premedication on Neurosurgery [Recruiting]
The study is to observe the effects of gabapentin premedication on postoperative pain,vomiting and nausea in patients undergoing neurosurgery. 100 neurosurgical patients are randomized into groups gabapentin(GG) or placebo(GP). Patients are given gabapentin or placebo orally the night before operation day and 2hours before surgery,respectively. The investigators hypothesized that lower incidence of postoperative pain,vomiting and nausea be observed in GG than GP.

The Effectiveness of Gabapentin for Post-operative Pain Following Cesarean Section [Completed]
Gabapentin has been very effective at treating pain after knee and hip operations, hysterectomies, and many other types of operations. A previous study at the investigators' hospital found that a single pre-operative dose of 600mg gabapentin produced a significant reduction in pain after caesarean section. However, 19% complained of sedation. The purpose of this study is to see whether a reduced dose of gabapentin will produce a similar improvement in pain scores while avoiding adverse effects such as sedation or dizziness. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of a single pre-operative oral dose of gabapentin 300mg, versus 600mg and placebo in women undergoing Cesarean section. The investigators' hypothesis is that gabapentin 300mg will result in decreased pain scores similar to gabapentin 600mg, but with reduced side effects.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Neurontin (Gabapentin) Side Effects

Drug Ineffective (392),  Pain (305),  Somnolence (157),  Malaise (139),  Dizziness (136),  Feeling Abnormal (116),  Pain in Extremity (115),  Depression (102),  Headache (99),  Fatigue (96), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Neurontin review by 45 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		difficulty sleeping because of nervous system prob
Dosage & duration:		500 mg at bedtime taken daily for the period of 6 years
Other conditions:		thyroid disease, allergies
Other drugs taken:		thyroid medication
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Helped to promote sleep without side effects, hangover or any of the other problems associated with other sleep medications. The sleep difficulty was caused by a horrible reaction to another medication called Celexa, which appeared to sensitize my nervous system even after the Celexa was stopped. Ever since taking the Celexa my nervous system has been exquisitely sensitive, with symptoms such as pain, heart palpitations, restless legs, and other such things that totally interrupted my ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Side effects:		None
Comments:		Used 400-500 mg at bedtime.

Neurontin review by 53 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Moderately Effective
Side effects:		Moderate Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Chronic pain (neck and migraines)
Dosage & duration:		300 mg. taken 3 times per day for the period of 2 years
Other conditions:		insomnia
Other drugs taken:		Seroquel, Maxalt, Fosamax
		Reported Results
Benefits:		The course of treatment reduced the severity and the frequency of the neck pain and migraines by about 50%.
Side effects:		Dizziness and fatigue
Comments:		the dose was started small and raised gradually to monitor side effects. It was only moderately successful and the side effects were quite a challenge. It was used as a standard prophylactic treatmemt against frequent migraines.

Neurontin review by 25 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Ineffective
Side effects:		Moderate Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Severe neck pain lasting 8-9 mons
Dosage & duration:		1 every 12 hours (dosage frequency: have taken only one so far!) for the period of one
Other conditions:		Neck pain / severe headaches
Other drugs taken:		n/a
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Well I just wanted to comment or get some incite on this medication. I was just proscribed this medication yesterday took first one before bed as doctor said and woke up this morning feeling like i had drank a case of beer i stumbled getting up out of bed then i felt like i was dying of thirst was just wondering how normal this was? Oh and i was very sleepy and unable to wake up till nearly noon i started to sober up. I have a 3yr old son that i stay home with so i need to be able to function. when i had spoke to my doctor about the problems i was having i told him that i did not want to be on anything strong i had previously been put on Vicodin, oxy-codone and flexeral i hated it i could not take care of my son i could not function im just trying to find a solution for my pain without being messed up.! See back in October of 2009 i fell backwards into a dresser corner while putting my sons clothes up in welkin closet had two possible fractures and two slipped disks was in a neck brace from oct-feb so please let me know if you have any idea what i can do my insurance will not cover physical therapy unfortunately .....
Side effects:		dizziness , sleepy , dry mouth very thirsty
Comments:		treatment was suppose to be to help control neck pain and headaches