Gabapentin Side Effects and How to Cope with Gabapentin Side effects

What to do about:

• • feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy – as your body gets used to gabapentin, these side effects should wear off. If they don’t wear off within a week or two, your doctor may reduce your dose or increase it more slowly. If that doesn’t work, you may need to switch to a different medicine.
  • feeling sick (nausea) – take gabapentin with or after a meal or snack. It may also help if you don’t eat rich or spicy food.
  • being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoea – drink plenty of water or other fluids to avoid dehydration. Take small sips if you feel sick. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea or vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
  • mood changes – if you feel this medicine is causing mood changes, talk to your doctor. You may be able to change to an alternative medicine.
  • swollen arms and legs – try sitting with your feet raised and try not to stand for a long time. Gently exercising your arms might help. Talk to your doctor if this doesn’t get better.
  • blurred vision – avoid driving or using tools or machines while this is happening. If it lasts for more than a day or two, speak to your doctor as they may need to change your treatment.
  • a dry mouth – chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets.
  • difficulties for men getting an erection – speak to your doctor, as they may be able to change your medicine or offer other treatments that might help with this problem.
  • weight gain – gabapentin can make you hungrier, so it can be quite a challenge to stop yourself putting on weight. Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet without increasing your portion sizes. Do not snack on foods that contain a lot of calories, such as crisps, cakes, biscuits and sweets. If you feel hungry between meals, eat fruit and vegetables and low-calorie foods. Regular exercise will also help to keep your weight stable.
  • memory problems – if you’re having problems with your memory, speak to your doctor. They may want to try a different medicine.
  • headaches – make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking gabapentin. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.

How to treat the Side Effects caused by gabapentin?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with gabapentin. You will find a full list in the manufacturer’s information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Common gabapentin side-effects	What can I do if I experience this?
Feeling sleepy, tired, unsteady or dizzy; blurred vision and other eyesight problems	Do not drive or use tools or machines
Headache	Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller
Feeling or being sick, indigestion, stomach ache	Stick to simple foods – avoid rich or spicy meals
Diarrhoea	Drink plenty of water to replace the lost fluids
Constipation	Try to eat a well-balanced diet and drink several glasses of water each day
Dry mouth	Try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking sugar-free sweets
Infections, flu-like symptoms, increased appetite, flushing, increased blood pressure, changes in weight, changes in emotions or mood, fits, movement difficulties, feeling shaky, difficulties sleeping, breathing difficulties, cough, gum changes, bruises, muscle or joint pains, impotence, and swollen feet or ankles	If any of these become troublesome, speak with your doctor for advice

Important: gabapentin has been associated with a number of unwanted effects which affect the blood, pancreas and liver. Although these occur less commonly than the side-effects listed above, you must let your doctor know straightaway if you notice any of the following as they could be serious:

• Persistent stomach pain with sickness (these could be symptoms of an inflamed pancreas).
• A skin rash, or any swelling of your mouth or face (these could be symptoms of an allergic reaction).
• Any yellowing of your skin or of the whites of your eyes (these could be symptoms of jaundice).
• Any unusual bruising or bleeding (these could be symptoms of a blood disorder).

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

What is Gabapentin Side Effects ?

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Clumsiness or unsteadiness
2. continuous, uncontrolled, back-and-forth, or rolling eye movements

More common in children

1. Aggressive behavior or other behavior problems
2. anxiety
3. concentration problems and change in school performance
4. crying
5. depression
6. false sense of well-being
7. hyperactivity or increase in body movements
8. rapidly changing moods
9. reacting too quickly, too emotional, or overreacting
10. restlessness
11. suspiciousness or distrust

Less common

1. Black, tarry stools
2. chest pain
3. chills
4. cough
5. depression, irritability, or other mood or mental changes
6. fever
7. loss of memory
8. pain or swelling in the arms or legs
9. painful or difficult urination
10. sore throat
11. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
12. swollen glands
13. unusual bleeding or bruising
14. unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

1. Abdominal or stomach pain
2. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
3. clay-colored stools
4. coma
5. confusion
6. convulsions
7. dark urine
8. decreased urine output
9. diarrhea
10. difficult or troubled breathing
11. dizziness
12. fast or irregular heartbeat
13. headache
14. increased thirst
15. irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
16. itching or skin rash
17. joint pain
18. large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
19. loss of appetite
20. muscle ache or pain
21. nausea
22. pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
23. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
24. red, irritated eyes
25. unpleasant breath odor
26. vomiting of blood
27. yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

1. Blurred vision
2. cold or flu-like symptoms
3. delusions
4. dementia
5. hoarseness
6. lack or loss of strength
7. lower back or side pain
8. swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs
9. trembling or shaking

Less common or rare

1. Accidental injury
2. appetite increased
3. back pain
4. bloated or full feeling
5. body aches or pain
6. burning, dry, or itching eyes
7. change in vision
8. change in walking and balance
9. clumsiness or unsteadiness
10. congestion
11. constipation
12. cough producing mucus
13. decrease in sexual desire or ability
14. dryness of the mouth or throat
15. earache
16. excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
17. excessive tearing
18. eye discharge
19. feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness
20. feeling of warmth or heat
21. flushed, dry skin
22. flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
23. frequent urination
24. fruit-like breath odor
25. impaired vision
26. incoordination
27. increased hunger
28. increased sensitivity to pain
29. increased sensitivity to touch
30. increased thirst
31. indigestion
32. noise in the ears
33. pain, redness, rash, swelling, or bleeding where the skin is rubbed off
34. passing gas
35. redness or swelling in the ear
36. redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
37. runny nose
38. sneezing
39. sweating
40. tender, swollen glands in the neck
41. tightness in the chest
42. tingling in the hands and feet
43. trouble sleeping
44. trouble swallowing
45. trouble thinking
46. twitching
47. unexplained weight loss
48. voice changes
49. vomiting
50. weakness or loss of strength
51. weight gain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.