Non-Opioid Pain Medicines
Gabapentin
(Neurontin®) tablets
Gabapentin (Neurontin) is a prescribed medicine that helps with nerve pain or seizures. This medicine helps with nerve pain, called “neuropathic pain.”
How do I take this medicine?
Take it with a glass of water or other liquid. You can take gabapentin with or without food.
To lower the chance of side effects, doctors often recommend starting gabapentin at a low dose and increasing the dose every few days until you get to the dose that is prescribed. Talk to your doctor about the best plan for you.
Continue taking this medicine, even if your pain is under control. Medicines like gabapentin should be taken every day, on a schedule. Do not stop taking this medicine, unless your care team tells you to do so.
What are the side effects?
Gabapentin often causes dizziness and feeling sleepy. This is usually worse when someone first starts taking the medicine, or after the dose is increased. Usually the body gets used to gabapentin and these side effects will go away on their own.
Occasionally, gabapentin can cause upset stomach and diarrhea. Rarely, it can cause tremor or double vision.
While side effects can be tough, there are ways to manage them. Talk to your care team if any of these side effects are interfering with your life.
