Gabapentin

Gabapentin

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Gabapentin medication is used to treat nerve type of pain. It works by changing the way the nerves sends signals to the brain. It has to be taken regularly to work; it does not work if taken irregularly!

It was used to treat epilepsy in the past. You are not prescribed this medication for epilepsy. In a similar mechanism, it calms the nerves sending abnormal impulses and can control pain.

It takes one to two weeks for pain to improve, sometimes longer. If you are stopping this medication, it has to be done gradually as the pain might flare-up otherwise.

Side-effects: Dizziness, tiredness, sleepiness, nausea. These settle with time, if not, you might have to reduce the dose. If the medication causes drowsiness, you should not drive or operate machinery until the effects are worn off. Rarely, swelling of legs can occur.

Evidence based Faculty of Pain Medicine leaflet available at Gabapentin

Dr Thanthullu Vasu MBBS MD DNB FRCA Dip Pain Mgt FFPMRCA FIPP