Gabapentin side effects

Gabapentin, a non-benzodiazapine GABA analog, was modestly effective in a 14-week controlled trial in SAD. Most patients were titrated to a maximal dose of 3600 mg/day.58 Pregabalin 600 mg/day was effective for social anxiety, fear, and avoidance behavior in a 10-week controlled trial.63 Pregabalin was well tolerated, and the most common side effects were somnolence and dizziness. 

The dose of gabapentin should be started at 600-900 mg/day in two or three doses per day. The usual effective dose is 900-4800 mg/day. Laboratory monitoring is not needed when prescribing gabapentin. It is well tolerated with the most common side effects being drowsiness and headache. 

In addition to treating insomnia, gabapentin has been used to treat epilepsy, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder. It is generally well tolerated with sedation and headaches being the only prominent side effects. Because gabapentin is excreted unchanged in urine, it does not require metabolism by the liver. It is therefore easily eliminated by elderly patients and those with liver disease, although it should be used with caution in those with poor renal (kidney) function. 

Hot flushes/flashes remain a problem when tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer. In a 4-week study in 22 women with this problem considerable relief was obtained by simultaneous use of oral gabapentin 300 mg tds (121). Occasional side effects were nausea, rash and excessive sleepiness. 

Anticonvulsants are used for RLS. Most common side effects include daytime somnolence carbamazepine (Tegretol) 200-400 mg at bedtime or gabapentin (Neu-rontin) 100 100 mg at bedtime are often used. 

Doherty K, Gates JR, Penovich P, Moriarty M. Gabapentin in a medically refractory epilepsy population seizure response and unusual side effects. Epilepsia 1995 36(Suppl 4) 71. 

Grunze H, Dittert S, Bungert M, Erfurth A. Renal impairment as a possible side effect of gabapentin. A single case report. Neuropsychobiology 1998 38(3) 198-9. 

Verma A, St Clair EW, Radtke RA. A case of sustained massive gabapentin overdose without serious side effects. Ther Drug Monit 1999 21(6) 615-17. 

Gabapentin 150 mg t.i.d. 900 mg t.i.d. 77% 100% 50% 25% Less CN5 side effects compared to other agents 300 mg load, then 200-300 mg after hemodi-alvsis 300 mg QID. Dose for GFR10-50... 

Gabapentin. This agent is used as an adjunctive agent and is relatively safe from side effects in nonpregnant adult patients. There was noted a small decrease in gabapentin excretion with concurrent cimetidine administration, which was not clinically significant. It is recommended that gabapentin be taken at least 2 h after antacid administration. 

Lee DO, Steingard RJ, Cesena M, et al. Behavioral side effects of gabapentin in children. Epilepsia 1996 37 87-90. 

Gabapentin has been of particular interest because it possesses a wide therapeutic index and a relatively benign side-effect profile. Side-effects reported with gabapentin are transient and minor, the most common being sortmolence, dizziness, ataxia and fatigue. It is not associated with hepatic or haematological problems. 

Since gabapentin does not act by conventional mechanisms and has little or no cross-reactivity with neurotransmitter receptors, concurrent use with other agents produces a synergistic effect. This allows less of the anticonvulsant agent to be used, minimizing side effects,- and increasing patient compliance. 

State the side effects reported with gabapentin. 

Pregabalin is another second-generation anticonvulsant that has recently obtained FDA approval for treatment of neurogenic pain, and several randomized placebo controlled studies have shown that this compound is efficacious in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy [32]. Doses between 300 and 600 mg/day have shown effect already apparent after 1 week of treatment. There are few clinically important drug interactions as there is no interference with the cytochrome 450 system. This compound requires minimal dose titration and seems easy to use. Side effects to gabapentin and pregabalin include drowsiness, dizziness and peripheral edema. 

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