Microplastics and Misinformation: What Science Really Says
November 12, 2025
Free CME credits
Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
Brand Name :
Gralise, Neurontin
Synonyms :
gabapentin
Class :
GABA analogs
Brand Name :
Gralise, Neurontin
Synonyms :
gabapentin
Class :
GABA analogs
Dosage forms & Strengths:
Adult:
Capsule
100 mg
300 mg
400 mg
Tablet
300 mg (Gralise)
600 mg (Gralise, Neurontin)
800 mg (Neurontin)
Oral solution
250 mg/5ml
Initially, 300 mg orally every hour
Increase the dose up to 600 mg orally every 8 hours or 2400 mg per day
1st day- 300 mg orally each day
2nd day- 300 mg orally every 12 hours
3rd day- 300 mg orally every 8 hours
Maintenance dose- Subsequent titration up to 600 mg orally every 8 hours (if required)
A dose more than 1800 mg/day shows no additional benefit
For 3-12 years- Initially, 10-15 mg/kg per day orally every 8 hours, to maintain the dose, titrate it after 3 days
Refer to the adult dosing
may enhance the CNS depressant effect of magnesium salts
may diminish the serum concentration of Antacids
may have an increased CNS depressant effect when combined with gabapentin
may have an increased CNS depressant effect when combined with gabapentin
may have an increased CNS depressant effect when combined with gabapentin
may have an increased CNS depressant effect when combined with gabapentin
may have an increased CNS depressant effect when combined with gabapentin
The potential for increased CNS depression risk or seriousness occurs when gabapentin is used together with pinazepam
The potential for increased CNS depression risk or seriousness occurs when gabapentin is used together with pipecuronium
When gabapentin is used together with medazepam, the risk or seriousness of CNS depression is enhanced
The potential for CNS depression may enhanced when gabapentin is used together with fencamfamin
When gabapentin is used together with niaprazine, the risk or seriousness of CNS depression is enhanced
When gabapentin is used together with levosulpiride, the risk or seriousness of CNS depression is enhanced
by altering the gastrointestinal absorption, the concentration of cyanocobalamin may be reduced with gabapentin
Actions and Spectrum:
gabapentin works by affecting the way the body perceives pain by changing the way certain chemicals in the brain are transmitted. It is classified as an anticonvulsant and a GABA analogue.
>10%:
Ataxia (1-13%)
Drowsiness (5-21%)
Fatigue (11-15%)
Somnolence (16-20%)
Dizziness (16-20%)
1-10%:
Nystagmus (6-10%)
Tremor (6-10%)
Diplopia (6-10%)
Amblyopia (1-5%)
Constipation (1-5%)
Back pain (1-5%)
Dysarthria (1-5%)
Dyspepsia (1-5%)
Depression (1-5%)
Dry mouth (1-5%)
Hostility (5-8% children)
Increased appetite (1-5%)
Hyperkinesia (3-5%)
Leukopenia (1-5%)
Nervousness (1-5%)
Myalgia (1-5%)
Pharyngitis (1-5%)
Pruritus (1-5%)
Peripheral edema (1-5%)
Rhinitis (1-5%)
Weight gain (1-5%)
Abnormal vision (>1%)
Arthralgia (>1%)
Asthenia (>1%)
Vasodilation (1-5%)
Anorexia (>1%)
Malaise (>1%)
Paresthesia (>1%)
Vertigo (>1%)
HTN (>1%)
Purpura (>1%)
Black Box Warning:
It is essential to follow the dosage and administration instructions for the medication carefully.
Contraindication/Caution:
Hypersensitivity to gabapentin or other similar medications
Renal impairment: gabapentin is cleared through the kidneys and may accumulate in patients with renal insufficiency.
Suicidal thoughts or behavior: gabapentin has been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour.
Drowsiness and impaired coordination: gabapentin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination, which can increase the risk of falls in older adults.
Pregnancy consideration:
No adequate data is available regarding the risks associated with the drug during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding warnings:
The drug is secreted in breast milk. The effect on lactating infant is unknown.
Pregnancy category:
Category A: well-controlled and Satisfactory studies do not show risk to the fetus in the first/later trimester.
Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women.
Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.
Category D: adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.
Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.
Category N: No data is available for the drug under this category.
Pharmacology
gabapentin is a medication used to treat seizures, neuropathic pain, and hot flashes. It is classified as an anticonvulsant and a GABA analogue.
Pharmacodynamics:
gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and analgesic drug that works by altering the activity of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Specifically, it modulates the release of the neurotransmitter glutamate and decreases the activity of the excitatory neurotransmitter. As a result, it decreases the neurotransmitter-mediated excitability of neurons and reduces pain transmission.
Pharmacokinetics:
Pharmacokinetics studies how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body. The following parameters can describe the pharmacokinetics of gabapentin.
Absorption
gabapentin is absorbed rapidly after oral administration.
Its bioavailability decreases as the dose increases.
Distribution
gabapentin is widely distributed throughout the body, but it does not appear to cross the blood-brain barrier in significant amounts. It has been detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with epilepsy, but its concentration in this fluid is much lower compared to plasma. gabapentin binds to a plasma protein, albumin, but its binding is not very strong, and the drug is highly lipophilic, allowing it to diffuse readily into tissues. The volume of distribution of gabapentin is approximately 0.5-0.7 L/kg in adults, indicating that the drug is well distributed throughout the body.
Metabolism
It does not undergo significant first-pass metabolism and reaches peak plasma concentrations within 2-3 hours of oral administration.
Elimination and excretion
gabapentin is primarily eliminated unchanged in the urine via renal excretion, with a half-life of 5-7 hours in adults.
Administration:
Administer the medication orally. The tablet gets swollen in the gastric fluids to release gabapentin.
Patient information leaflet
Generic Name: gabapentin
Pronounced: gah-bah-pen-tin
Why do we use gabapentin?
gabapentin treats postherpetic neuralgia and partial seizures.
Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
On course completion, you will receive a full-sized presentation quality digital certificate.
A dynamic medical simulation platform designed to train healthcare professionals and students to effectively run code situations through an immersive hands-on experience in a live, interactive 3D environment.
When you have your licenses, certificates and CMEs in one place, it's easier to track your career growth. You can easily share these with hospitals as well, using your medtigo app.
