The Neurontin brand of gabapentin can be taken with or without food.
If you’ve been prescribed gabapentin, here are some tips to consider for safe and effective usage:
- Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions: Always take gabapentin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not alter the dosage or frequency without consulting them first.
- Take with or without Food: Gabapentin can be taken with or without food. However, consistency in how you take it (with food or without) is recommended to maintain consistent blood levels.
- Swallow Whole: Swallow the gabapentin capsule or tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets, as this can alter the way the medication is released into your system.
- Stick to the Schedule: Try to take gabapentin at the same times each day to help you remember and maintain consistent levels of the medication in your bloodstream.
- Do Not Stop Abruptly: If you need to discontinue gabapentin, consult your doctor for guidance on how to gradually reduce your dosage over time. Suddenly stopping gabapentin can lead to withdrawal symptoms or a return of your original condition.
- Monitor Side Effects: Pay attention to any side effects you may experience while taking gabapentin and report them to your doctor. Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and coordination problems.
- Avoid Alcohol and CNS Depressants: Gabapentin can enhance the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, increasing the risk of drowsiness and impairment. Avoid alcohol and discuss with your doctor any other medications or substances you’re taking.
- Be Cautious with Driving and Machinery: Gabapentin may cause dizziness and drowsiness, which can impair your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Exercise caution until you know how gabapentin affects you.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help alleviate some potential side effects of gabapentin, such as constipation.
- Store Properly: Store gabapentin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep it out of reach of children and pets.
If you break a 600mg or 800mg Neurontin tablet in half, be sure to take the other half at your next dose or within 28 days.
The Gralise brand of gabapentin cannot be substituted for other gabapentin products due to differing administration requirements (once daily versus three times daily for other products).
Gralise should be taken with food at the evening meal. Gralise tablets should be swallowed whole; do not cut, crush, or chew.
Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil) tablets should be swallowed whole and taken with food. For restless leg syndrome, take at roughly 5 PM in the evening. Do not cut, crush, or chew the tablet. Do not interchange Horizant with other gabapentin products.
Use a manufacturer-provided or pharmacist-provided measuring cup calibrated for liquid formulations when measuring liquid doses of gabapentin. Do not use a kitchen measuring device or teaspoon because these may be inaccurate.
For dosage schedules of three times daily do not allow more than 12 hours between doses.
Monitor for mood changes and report any evidence of new or worsening mood or depression to the prescribing doctor.
Do not take gabapentin at the same time as antacids such as Maalox or Gaviscon. Separate administration by at least two hours. Take exactly as directed by your doctor, do not increase or decrease the dose without his or her advice.
Avoid operating machinery, driving, or performing tasks that require mental alertness if gabapentin makes your drowsy or impairs your judgment.
The side effects of gabapentin, such as dizziness or drowsiness, may increase your risk of falling. Remove any fall hazards from your home if possible (such as loose rugs), and be careful when ascending or descending stairs.
Talk to your doctor if you experience any worsening of your mood or if you develop any suicidal thoughts.
Do not stop taking gabapentin without your doctor’s advice as it may precipitate a withdrawal reaction (symptoms include agitation, disorientation, confusion). When the time comes to discontinue gabapentin your doctor will tell you how to taper it off.
Seek urgent medical advice if you develop a rash, fever, difficulty breathing or facial swelling while taking gabapentin.