The length of time you should take gabapentin for nerve pain depends on your condition.
If you have nerve pain from diabetes then you may need to take the gabapentin daily for the rest of your life but if you have temporary nerve pain then you may only need to take the gabapentin for 4 to 12 weeks.
Gabapentin requires three times daily administration because of its short duration of effect.
Gabapentin enacarbil (brand name Horizant) only requires once-daily dosing.
Only effective for partial-onset seizures, not other types of seizure disorders.
Some branded and generic forms of gabapentin are not interchangeable.
Gabapentin is most commonly prescribed to treat nerve pain associated with diabetes.
Although gabapentin is used for other pain and issues as well.
Gabapentin is used to treat a variety of conditions such as seizures, pain, nerve pain, nerve pain after herpes, essential tremors.
Other conditions that Gabapentin is used to treat include.
Restless legs syndrome, an extreme discomfort in the calf muscles when sitting or lying down.
Reuropathic pain.
Acute pain following an operation.
Additional medication to treat partial seizures.
The "change of life" signs.
And alcoholism.
The most common side effects of gabapentin are dizziness and drowsiness when taking gabapentin.
Side effects of Gabapentin include drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, tiredness, blurred/double vision, unusual eye movements, or shaking (tremor) may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Gabapentin can make you feel relaxed and calm and reduce pain.
Gabapentin can produce feelings of relaxation, calmness and euphoria.
Some users of Gabapentin have also reported that the high from snorted gabapentin can be similar to taking a stimulant.
It can also enhance the euphoric effects of other drugs, like heroin and other opioids, and is likely to increase the risks when taken in this way.
Gabapentin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. Gabapentin treats seizures by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Gabapentin relieves the pain of PHN by changing the way the body senses pain.
Gabapentin at doses of 1800 mg to 3600 mg daily (1200 mg to 3600 mg gabapentin encarbil) can provide good levels of pain relief to some people with postherpetic neuralgia and peripheral diabetic neuropathy.
Evidence for other types of neuropathic pain is very limited.
Dizziness and drowsiness are common gabapentin side effects.
Weight gain and uncoordinated movement are possible side effects.
Serious Side Effects of Gabapentin Include.
Violent behavior, aggressiveness, or anger.
Anxiousness or restlessness.
Anxiety that is new or worse.
Depression that is new or worse.
Irritability that is new or worse.
Mania.
Panic attacks.
And also suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Some of the other severe side effects of Gabapentin include trouble breathing and allergic reactions.
People who start to use gabapentin should pay attention to shifts in mood or emotions.
For example, a person who experiences increased anxiety, anger, or panic attacks should contact a doctor right away.
Peak concentrations of gabapentin (immediate-release) occur within 2 to 3 hours.
Although gabapentin may improve sleep problems due to nerve pain within a week, it may take up to two weeks for symptom relief from nerve pain to occur.
Gabapentin is approved to treat the type of nerve pain (neuralgia) that results from nerve damage.
Gabapentin is used to treat neuralgia caused by a herpes zoster viral infection, also known as shingles.