Gabavant 400mg Capsules

Gabapentin is used to treat epilepsy and nerve pain (neuropathic pain). In epilepsy, it is thought to calm abnormal electrical activity in the brain. For nerve pain, it is thought to block pain messages travelling through the brain and spinal cord.

Nerve pain it may help includes pain after shingles and pain from nerve damage caused by diabetes. It usually takes a few weeks to work fully.

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, with doses spread evenly through the day.

• You can take it with or without food.
• Swallow tablets and capsules whole with water or juice. Do not chew them.
• For liquid, use the syringe or spoon that comes with it, not a kitchen spoon.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless your next dose is due within 2 hours. Never take two doses together.
• Take antacids at least 2 hours before or after gabapentin.
• Do not stop suddenly, even if you feel better. Your doctor will lower the dose slowly.

Common side effects, which are often mild and pass, include:

• sleepiness, tiredness or dizziness
• feeling or being sick, or diarrhoea
• mood changes or blurred vision
• swollen arms and legs, dry mouth or weight gain
• headache or memory problems

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• trouble breathing, blue lips, confusion or extreme sleepiness
• thoughts of harming yourself
• fever, swollen glands, yellow skin or eyes, or unusual bruising or bleeding, with or without a rash
• long-lasting tummy pain with sickness (possible pancreatitis)
• hallucinations
• swelling of the face, lips or throat (allergic reaction)

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to gabapentin or another medicine
• have ever misused or been addicted to a medicine or drug
• have kidney problems or are on a low-sodium or low-potassium diet (the liquid contains sodium and potassium)
• have a lung condition such as COPD or severe asthma
• take strong painkillers such as morphine, antidepressants, antipsychotics, or herbal remedies that make you drowsy

Gabapentin can be addictive in some people. Only take the amount prescribed.

Keep it in its original container, tightly closed and out of the reach of children. Store tablets and capsules at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Keep the oral solution in the fridge.

Driving: it can make you sleepy or dizzy, especially when starting or after a dose increase. Do not drive or use machines until you feel alert.

Alcohol and opioids: alcohol can add to drowsiness. Taking it with opioids can dangerously increase sleepiness and slow breathing.

Pregnancy: not usually recommended unless benefits outweigh risks. If you take it for epilepsy, keep taking it and speak to your doctor urgently.

Breastfeeding: usually acceptable for a healthy baby; check with your doctor first.