Antidepressants Antibiotics Antiviral Antidiabetic Anti-Allergic/Asthma Anti-Acidity Blood Pressure Cholesterol General health Pain Relief Men's Health Muscle Relaxers Weight Loss Women's health Other

Neurontin (Gabapentin)

Description

Neurontin is the brand name for the generic drug Gabapentin. It is also sold in other brand names like Gabarone. Neurontin is used to treat seizures and some pain. This drug is combined with other medications to treat adults and kids over 12 years of age in case of seizures. Nerve pain due to shingles or herpes is also treated with Neurontin. Neurontin is available in the form of capsules, tablets, and oral solution. Neurontin is supplied as 100 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg capsules and 600 mg and 800 mg tablets. It is also available as 250 mg / 5 mL oral solution.

Recommendations

Neurontin should be taken with or without food. If necessary they can break the scored 600 mg or 800 mg tablet according to the dosage, but make sure that you are using the other half of the scored tablet within a few days. In treating posttherpetic neuralgia the patient is given a single dose of 300 mg on first day, 600 mg on second day and 900 mg on third day. The dosage can be increased to up to 1800 mg per day depending on the response of the patient. In treating epilepsy for patient above the age of 12 years, per day dosage would be from 900 mg to 1800 mg which can be divided into three equal doses and given. You can start with 300 mg three times a day. For patients between 3 years and 12 years the dosage should be 15 mg per kg per day. This can also be divided into three equal doses in a day. When giving Neurontin to elderly patients it is necessary to take into account the creatinine clearance values of these patients as this medication might reduce the renal function.

Precautions

You should not discontinue Neurontin suddenly. Consult your doctor so that dosages are decreased gradually and then stopped. Dosage adjustments are needed for people who have liver, kidney and heart disease. Depression or suicidal thoughts might occur when you are taking this medication. The immediate family members of the patient who takes Neurontin should be informed about these mood changes prior to taking this medication.