Gabapentin for epilepsy
Examples
Generic Name Brand Name gabapentin Neurontin Gabapentin requires several daily doses and comes in capsules and pills.
How It Works
It is not known exactly how gabapentin prevents seizures.
Why It Is Used
Gabapentin may be used alone or combined with other antiepileptic medicines to control partial seizures in adults and in children age 3 and older.
How Well It Works
People taking gabapentin in addition to other antiepileptic medicines may have fewer seizures.1 Although it is not as effective as other new epilepsy drugs, it may have fewer side effects. Gabapentin has not been shown to be effective for treating primary generalized seizures or childhood absence seizures.
Side Effects
Gabapentin is a well-tolerated drug that usually causes only mild side effects. These often go away within 1 to 2 weeks and include:
- Dizziness.
- Drowsiness and fatigue.
- Headache.
- Weight gain.
- Foot swelling.
Antiepileptic medicines may increase the risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts. It is not recommended that people stop using these medicines. Instead, people who take antiepileptic medicine should be watched closely for warning signs of suicide. People who take antiepileptic medicine and who are worried about this side effect should talk to a doctor.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Cost
Gabapentin is expensive, but a generic version is now available. The cost of this medicine is usually covered by your provincial health plan.
Drug interactions
Many medicines for epilepsy can interact with other medicines you may be taking. This means that your epilepsy medicine may not work as well, or it may affect the way another medicine you are taking works. Some of these interactions can be dangerous. It is important to tell you doctor about all the medicines, herbal pills, and dietary supplements you are taking.
Risk of birth defects
All medicines for epilepsy have some risk of birth defects. But the risk of birth defects needs to be carefully compared to other risks to the baby if the mother stops taking her epilepsy medicine. If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, it is important to plan ahead and talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking epilepsy medicine during your pregnancy. It you are already pregnant, it is not too late. The best thing to do is talk to your doctor about your pregnancy before you make any changes to the medicines you are taking.
Other concerns
For some people, gabapentin may produce side effects or carry risks that are not fully known yet. Report any unexpected side effects or problems to your doctor.
It may take time and careful, controlled adjustments by you and your doctor to find the combination, schedule, and dosing of medicine to best manage your epilepsy. The goal is to prevent seizures while causing as few unwanted side effects as possible. After the most effective medicine program is determined, it is important that you follow it exactly as prescribed.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)
(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
| Author: | Douglas Dana Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: January 22, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Theresa O'Young, PharmD - Clinical Pharmacist Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Examples | |
| How It Works | |
| Why It Is Used | |
| How Well It Works | |
| Side Effects | |
| What To Think About | |
| References | |