Gabapentin 800mg (Neurontin®, Horizant®)

Description

What is Gabapentin 800mg?

Gabapentin 800mg is a high potency dose of gabapentin, which is an anticonvulsant drug that helps in the treatment of neuropathic pain like diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia as well as a treatment adjunct for partial seizures. This dose is typically prescribed for those patients who need more of the medication than titration has already provided for effective symptom control. This dose, similar to all other doses, works to modify nerve activity to reduce pain signals and prevent seizure activity. Dosage should be adjusted to individual needs and prescribed according to medical advice.

Active Ingredient: Gabapentin
Drug Class: Anticonvulsant (Antiepileptic)

• Anticonvulsant (antiepileptic) is a kind of drug used for preventing or minimizing seizures during the period of epilepsy. It stabilizes nerve activity in the brain by reducing excessive electric signals. Anticonvulsants can also be used to treat neuropathy pain and mood disorders. The mechanism that gives rise to this effect is by stabilization of nerve activity in the brain and this is achieved by reducing excessive electrical signals. Well, anticonvulsants can also treat neuropathic pain and mood disorders and add more flexible usage in the control of neurological conditions.

How does Gabapentin 800mg work?

• The action of Gabapentin 800 reduces the release of excitatory neurotransmitters that have a role in the transmission of pain signals. This is achieved by modulating calcium channels present in nerve cells, thereby inhibiting seizure activity as well.

What is the use of Gabapentin 800mg?

• Neuropathic Pain:

  Neuropathic Pain develops when either the peripheral or an injury to the brain becomes ‘damaged’ or dysfunctional, thereby causing abnormal chronic pain signals. It is often described as burning or stinging pain along with tingling and can come from a variety of conditions, such as diabetes, shingles, injury, or other neurological diseases.

• Seizure Control:

  Gabapentin 800mg is a supplementary therapy for treating partial seizures. It stabilizes the overactive electrical activity of the brain thus, reduces the frequency and severity of seizures in children and adults with epilepsy.

• Chronic Pain Syndromes:

  Persistent pain that lasts beyond three months is known as Chronic Pain Syndrome. These can be caused due to nerve injuries or fibromyalgia, arthritis, or back pain. Gabapentin 800mg is intended to relieve chronic nerve pain by helping to calm overactive nerve signals.

What are seizure controls, and what are their types?

Seizures can be said to be controlled if they can be practically managed with medication or any other form of treatment that prevents a person from having the occurrence or reduces its frequency. In simple terms, seizures occur when there is a disturbance in the brain’s normal functioning due to abnormal electrical activities.

• Clonic seizures: Rapid rhythmic jerking of muscles characterizes these seizures, which involve both sides of the body and receive a tonic phase as an introduction, during which muscles become stiff. Thus, clonic seizures are classified as generalized seizures.
• Myoclonic seizures: A myoclonic seizure has the appearance of a quick surge of interruption or jerk within minutes in the muscles, often in the arms or legs. A seizure of a myoclonic nature is witnessed mostly without the tendency of loss of consciousness and can be a feature of several neurological conditions such as epilepsy.
• Focal seizures: The local region of the brain is where focal seizures, alias partial seizures, are found. The symptoms can vary with the area of the brain affected and usually consist of strange sensations, movements, or a change in consciousness. These focal seizures are also classified into two major types simple and complex.

1. Complex focal seizures: Complex focal seizures, or complex partial seizures, affect one specific area of the brain and occur with a loss of consciousness or awareness, causing confusion, automatisms, and behaviors that change for several minutes.
2. Simple focal seizures: Simple focal seizures (equal to simple partial seizures) are restricted to one place in the brain and cause different sensations, movements, or feelings but don’t lose consciousness. The symptoms include twitching very much, smelling very odd, or seeing without visual disturbance.

Can I have green tea or coffee while taking gabapentin 800mg?

It is generally unsafe to indulge and if one would drink green tea or coffee with his taking of gabapentin 800mg, for moderate caffeine use is mostly tolerated by most people, but gabapentin can interact with caffeine and make its side effects worse jitteriness, dizziness, or difficulty sleeping. In this aspect, it is best to seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that you are safe to take either green tea or coffee while on gabapentin so that they have maximum effect with little risk of adverse reactions.

Side Effects of Gabapentin 800mg

• Common Adverse Reactions:
  

  • Sleepiness or tiredness
  • Dizzy or lightheaded
  • Swollen in hands, feet, or legs
  • Nausea or vomit
  • Problems with coordination or an unsteady gait
  • Blurred vision
  • Weight Gain
  • Fever
  • Dry mouth

• Severe Adverse Effects:

  • Allergic Reactions
  • Alterations in mood
  • Problems with memory or confusion
  • Seizures
  • Muscle pain or weakness.
  • Difficulties in breathing

How effective is Gabapentin 800mg in managing chronic conditions?

Gabapentin for Postherpetic Neuralgia:

Gabapentin is mostly prescribed medication to treat postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a condition associated with chronic pain after an episode of shingles. Its mode of action involves stabilizing the nerve activity and reducing pain transmission. Its major advantages are:

• Analgesia: Reducing Burning, Stabbing, or Pulsating Pain
• Improvement in the Quality of Life: Restoration of Function and Daily Life
• Commonly Tolerable, Such as Dizziness and Drowsiness.

Gabapentin and Diabetic Neuropathy:

Gabapentin is often prescribed for diabetic neuropathy related nerve disorders. It soothes frenzied nerve impulses to lessen feelings of pain, burning, and tingling in these areas. Generally, its use is meant for pain relief and the improvement of quality of life in the afflicted patients. This is the primary treatment option for diabetic neuropathy.

Off-label Uses of Gabapentin 800mg:

Gabapentin, 800 mg is normally recommended in common conditions such as managing fibromyalgia alleviating anxiety related disorders exacerbating migraine headache prevention; treating restless leg syndrome as well as itchiness associated with hepatic or chronic renal illness.

• Migraine Prevention: By stabilizing nerve functioning, gabapentin can reduce the intensity of the headaches as well as their frequency.
• Fibromyalgia:  People with fibromyalgia confirm that it grieves widespread pain and improves their sleep quality.
• Bipolar Disorder:  Although not typically the first line of treatment, gabapentin can treat symptoms of mood swings and anxiety in those with bipolar disorders.

Stored Gabapentin 800mg

1. Temperature: In the range of 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
2. Avoid Moisture and Heat: Store in a cool, dry place free from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight for deterioration prevention.
3. Keep in Original Container: Keep mendicants stored in their original container with a close fitting lid to save them from air and humidity.
4. Expiration Date: Avoid using gabapentin after the expiration date on the label. Safely dispose of expired or unused medications.

Gabapentin 800mg Doses:

1. Initial Dose: Back pain, neuropathic pain, or seizures may have a lower starting dose such as 300mg or 600mg, gradually increasing to up to 800mg as tolerated.
2. Frequency: Usually take gabapentin 3 times in day for individual doses to obtain a total daily dose of 800mg.
3. Titration: The adjustments to the doses will be based on personal reaction, and for the individual patient.
4. Missed Dose: If you have missed a dose, then take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses at once.

FAQs

1. What is the purpose of taking Gabapentin 800 mg?

• The main uses for Gabapentin 800mg are the treatment of neuropathic pain, such as diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia; the adjunct treatment of partial seizures; and, less commonly, the off label treatment of other diseases such as fibromyalgia, migraine prophylaxis, and bipolar disorder.

2. How am I to consume Gabapentin 800mg?

• Typically, Gabapentin 800mg should be taken thrice daily with each administration paired with food. Stick to the prescribed dosing plan by your health care provider, and avoid sudden stopping or use of the medicine.

3. How long does it take for Gabapentin 800mg to start working?

• Gabapentin typically requires a few days to weeks for its utmost potency to come into effect, especially while being used to treat chronic conditions such as pain or seizures.
  

4. Who should not take Gabapentin 800mg?

• Gabapentin must be avoided by patients suffering from severe renal problems unless prescribed by a physician and with careful dosage modifications.

5. Is Gabapentin 800mg safe during pregnancy?

• Gabapentin is a drug that is prescribed only when pregnant. Discuss the benefits and negatives of the medicine with your doctor before starting it.