What helps Gabapentin: instructions for use and reviews

Gabapentin is used as an anticonvulsant and analgesic.

It was originally developed for the treatment of epilepsy and is currently used to relieve pain of neuropathic etiology and restless leg syndrome. The drug is recommended as the first line for the treatment of neuropathic pains arising from diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia and central neuropathic pain.

On this page you will find all information about Gabapentin: the full instructions for use on this medication, average prices in pharmacies, complete and incomplete analogs of the drug, as well as reviews of people who have already used Gabapentin. Want to leave your opinion? Please write in the comments.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Anticonvulsant drug.

Conditions of leave from pharmacies

It is released on prescription.

Price list

How much is gabapentin? The average price in pharmacies is at the level of500 rubles.

Form of issue and composition

Hard gelatin capsules № 0 of white color. The contents of the capsules are white or white with a yellowish tinge powder.

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Active substance: gabapentin (in terms of 100% substance) 300.0 mg;
auxiliary substances: calcium stearate 4.2 mg, sodium carboxymethyl starch Type A 4.2 mg, microcrystalline cellulose 111.6 mg;
composition of capsules: titanium dioxide 2%, gelatin up to 100%.

Pharmacological effect

Once in the body, gabapentin begins to bind to the α2-σ-subunit, which is voltage-dependent on the calcium channels. This action leads to the fact that the flow of calcium ions is significantly reduced, which means that the risk of neuropathic pain is reduced.

In the body, gabapentin enhances the synthesis of GABA, as well as inhibits the release of neurotransmitters belonging to the monoamine group. Bioavailability decreases with increasing dose. Its maximum concentration in the body is reached only after 120-180 minutes after taking the capsule.

Indications for use

The main pathological conditions in which gabapentin is administered are:

Localized (focal, partial) idiopathic epilepsy and epileptic syndromes with convulsive seizures with focal origin.
Localized (focal, partial) symptomatic epilepsy and epileptic syndromes with simple partial seizures.
Localized (focal, partial) symptomatic epilepsy and epileptic syndromes with complex partial seizures.
Neuralgic manifestations after shingles.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of antiepileptic drugs Gabapentin and its analogues are hypersensitivity to the components that make up the drug, as well as age to 12 years. The administration of this drug to patients with renal insufficiency requires caution.

Application in pregnancy and lactation

Since there are no data on the use of gabapentin during pregnancy, the use of this drug (and its analogues) for treatment pregnant women is justified only if the expected health benefits of a future mother exceed the possible risk to the fetus.

Gabapentin penetrates into breast milk, but the effect of this drug on the infant is not studied. For this reason, if taking gabapentin coincides with the period of lactation, it is recommended to stop breastfeeding.

Instructions for use

In the instructions for use, it is indicated that the capsules of Gabapentin are taken internally before, after, or during meals, with plenty of water.

The initial dosage in adults and adolescents during the treatment of epilepsy is 300 mg of the drug. The amount of the drug is increased by 300 mg daily until the required clinical response is reached. Titration achieves an average effective dose of 900-1800 mg of the drug per day. Some patients require a dosage of 3600 mg.
In children 8-12 years of age, the initial dosage of gabapentin is calculated based on a ratio of 10-15 mg / kg / day. In the next three days, the effective dose of the substance (25-30 mg / kg / day) is divided into 3 doses per day.

Another scheme of administration of gabapentin is based on the actual weight of the patient. With a weight of 26-36 kg, 900 mg of the drug per day, from 37 to 50 kg - 1200 mg, if the weight exceeds 50 kg - resort to the appointment of 1800 mg of the drug per day.

Therapy of neuropathic pain involves the appointment of a minimum amount of the drug - 300 mg / day with a gradual titration to 1800 mg per day. This amount of gabapentin is divided into 3 times.
Patients on hemodialysis are recommended an initial saturating dose of 300-400 mg of gabapentin, then every 4 hours of the procedure such patients take 200-300 mg of the drug.

The daily amount of gabapentin in patients with excretory dysfunction depends on the initial level of CC: at a rate of more than 80 ml / min, 900-2400 mg of gabapentin per day, with KK from 50 to 79 ml / min - 600-1200 mg of the drug, with QC within 30-49 ml / min, a dosage of 300-600 mg is used if the QC is within 15-29 ml / min, patients are prescribed 150-300 mg of substance per day, with QC below 15 ml / min, patients take 150 mg per day (300 mg of gabapentin with an interval per day).

Side effects

When treating partial seizures:

Skin and subcutaneous tissues: abrasions, a window, skin itching, skin rash;
Sense organs: amblyopia, diplopia, impaired vision;
Cardiovascular system: symptoms of vasodilation or hypertension;
Kostno-mische system: fractures, myalgia, arthralgia;
Respiratory system: cough, pharyngitis, rhinitis, pneumonia;
Genitourinary system: urinary tract infection, impotence;
System of blood, lymphatic system: leukopenia, purpura (most often it was described as bruising that occurred with physical trauma);
Digestive tract: constipation, dental diseases, diarrhea, dyspepsia, increased appetite, dry mouth or throat, nausea and / or vomiting, abdominal pain, flatulence, anorexia, gingivitis;
Nervous system: amnesia, ataxia, confusion, coordination disorder, depression, dysarthria, emotional lability, insomnia, nervousness, nystagmus, drowsiness, disturbance of thinking, tremor, muscle twitching, dizziness, hyperkinesia; strengthening, weakening or lack of reflexes, paresthesia, anxiety, hostility;
The body as a whole: back pain, fatigue, fever, headache, viral infection, peripheral edema, weight gain, asthenia, - general malaise, face swelling.

In the treatment of neuropathic pain:

Respiratory system: dyspnea, pharyngitis;
Skin and subcutaneous tissue: skin rash;
Sense organs: amblyopia;
Nervous system: gait disturbance, amnesia, ataxia, confusion, dizziness, hypoesthesia, drowsiness, disturbance of thinking, tremor;
Digestive tract: constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, indigestion, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain;
Organism as a whole: accidental injuries, asthenia, back pain, flu-like syndrome, headache, infection, pain of different localization, peripheral edema, weight gain.

Overdose

After taking a very high dose of the drug there are such symptoms: The drug in blisters Gabapentin

Dyspeptic phenomena, which are manifested by the presence of diarrhea.
Visual impairment, speech.
Drowsiness.
Dizziness.

If such symptoms appear, you need to call an ambulance. While doctors are going, you can drink activated charcoal, induce vomiting.

In a hospital, symptomatic therapy is performed, and patients with renal insufficiency undergo hemodialysis.

special instructions

In elderly patients, treatment is carried out with extreme caution in minimally effective therapeutic doses against a background of continuous monitoring of liver and kidney function.
Patients with diabetes should regularly monitor blood glucose levels and the overall clinical picture of blood.
With the development of an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas on the background of therapy, which is accompanied by multiple vomiting and severe shingles in the abdomen, the drug should be discontinued immediately and consult a doctor.
In case of cancellation, the dose of the medication is reduced gradually over a period of 1 week. With a sharp cancellation or replacement with another drug, the patient may develop an epileptic status.
During the period of treatment with this medication, you should avoid driving vehicles or controlling complicated mechanisms that require the reaction rate of the patient.

Capsules Gabapentin is not allowed to be taken concomitantly with alcoholic beverages, as this can lead to intoxication of the body and severe inhibition of the CNS.

Drug Interactions

Do not take gabapentin along with alcoholic beverages, since the drug is considered an effective remedy for alcoholism. The use of alcohol will lead to the appearance of side effects or their amplification.

Simultaneous use of antacids and the drug prevents the effective absorption of the drug in the digestive tract. The pharmacokinetics of gabapentin after taking phenobarbital, oral contraceptives, carbamazepine does not change.

Reviews

We picked up some feedback from people about the drug Gabapentin:

Olga. Took this medication, after the abolition began, muscle contractions, went to the withdrawal syndrome. I do not advise taking gabapentin.
The world. I'm 39. Pain in the sacrum. At the time of prescribing the pain continued for 11 months. The treatment was carried out by anesthetizing a couple of times, several trips to the pool and 2 exercises in the physiotherapist's office. After that the doctor appointed a month to take Gabapentin. After a month of taking this medication, a panic attack occurred at work. The result - the pain in the back did not pass + a month without a home on a sick leave sheet with a nervous system completely upset and diagnosed. Agrophobia + Generalized anxiety disorder of the nervous system. Antidepressants refused to accept - it became terrible to be a guinea pig in the hands of my doctor. Since that moment, half a year has passed. I still experience incomprehensible signs of faintness and strange conditions. I regret very much that I succumbed to the authority of my doctor and, despite the trembling instruction for this drug, began to take it. The back aches and hurts, and has got also problems with a head. From this absurdity the hands fall.
Valentine. I have blood vessels in the brain and sometimes there are severe headaches in the right side of the head, where there is a crimp. My head hurts even before vomiting. In one of such attacks the doctor appointed me gabapentin. This super-medicine! My head goes and I go to sleep, wake up cheerfully and in a good mood and with excellent health. Do not look at contraindications, but trust your doctor

Doctors (and the patients themselves experience this) note the fact that this tool is capable of causing addiction. As necessary, the dosage of the drug is reduced gradually within one week. People taking the drug note the manifestation of a bad mood, lethargy, confusion, there is a protracted depression.

All this once again shows that the treatment should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor who will correct the treatment. When the drug is withdrawn, antidepressants are often prescribed to reduce manifestations of withdrawal syndrome.