Gabapentin 600 mg Treats Nerve pain (Nerve Block) & epilepsy

What is Gabapentin 600 mg?

The class of medications known as antiepileptics includes Gabapentin 600 mg tablets. Gabapentin is a prescription drug used to control certain types of seizures. It comes in capsule, tablet, and liquid forms.

Uses -  

Neuropathic pain - The drug Gabapentin 600 mg is used to treat neuropathic pain, which is pain brought on by nerve damage as a result of illnesses like diabetes, shingles (herpes zoster infection), spinal cord injury, etc. 

Treatment of epilepsy - The drug works by altering the electrical activity in the brain. It does this by inhibiting the voltage-gated calcium channels and decreasing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters; these actions prevent fits or seizures.

For primary restless leg syndrome - Gabapentin may be effective for treating restless leg syndrome by slowing or blocking the transmission of pain signals from nerves in the legs to the brain.

Dosage of Gabapentin 600 mg:

Epilepsy dosage 

➢ The typical dosage for:

■ Adults and older kids (over the age of 12) should take 900 mg to 3,600 mg three times a day. 

■ Younger kids (between the ages of 6 and 12)—varies based on weight.

Dose for nerve pain 

➢ Adults typically take 900 mg to 3,600 mg per day, divided into three doses, to alleviate nerve pain.

How to take Gabapentin 600 mg?

❖ When taking Gabapentin 600 mg tablet or capsules, sip some water or juice first. 

❖ Never chew Gabapentin 600 mg tablets.

❖ It is better to take Gabapentin 600 mg every day, whether you had your meal yet or not.

❖ Consider equally distributing your doses throughout the day. For instance, you could take one tablet of Gabapentin 600 mg pill in the morning, late in the day, or before night.

❖ You or your child will receive a plastic syringe or spoon to measure the dosage if you are taking a liquid.

What side effects can this medication, Gabapentin 600 mg, cause?

There are certain potential side effects that often do not require medical treatment. During therapy, these side effects could fade away as your body gets used to the medication. If any of the mentioned side effects persist, are troublesome, or if you have any worries about them, speak with your doctor.

Commonly reported:-

❖ feeling drowsy, exhausted, or lightheaded 

❖ feeling nauseous

❖ becoming ill 

❖ vomiting

❖ diarrhea 

❖ mood shifts 

❖ enlarged arms and legs 

❖ distorted vision 

❖ mouth ache 

❖ having trouble getting an erection 

❖ gaining weight 

❖ memory issues 

❖ headaches 

❖ being infected more frequently than usual

What are the possible drug interactions of the medicine, Gabapentin 600 mg?

When this drug, Gabapentin 600 mg capsules, is combined with other medications that may also make you drowsy or cause breathing issues, the chance of serious side effects (such as slow or shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness, or dizziness) may increase. 

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you use any other medications, including alcohol, cannabis (cannabis), sedatives or anxiety medications (alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), antihistamines, or opioid pain relievers (codeine, hydrocodone) (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).

Overdosing - In case of overdosing, immediately contact the doctor or nearest hospital.  Symptoms of overdose include nausea and vomiting, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, muscle weakness, double vision, and slurred speech.

Gabapentin 600 mg discontinuation guidelines:

❖ Even if you feel fine, it's vital to avoid abruptly stopping your gabapentin dosage. Sudden discontinuation of gabapentin can cause serious problems.

❖ If you have epilepsy, quitting gabapentin abruptly can result in uncontrollable seizures.

❖ When you suddenly stop taking it while taking it for any reason, you risk developing a severe withdrawal syndrome. 

❖ Unpleasant symptoms associated with this include: 

➢ anxiety,

➢ difficulty sleeping,

➢ being ill,

➢ hurting,

➢ sweating. 

❖ By gradually lowering the dosage of gabapentin, withdrawal seizures and other symptoms can be avoided.

FAQs - 

Q1) When will I start feeling better after taking the medication ?

Some people get relief right away, but others may take a while. However, it is important to remember that the results vary from person to person and may depend on several factors including dosage, frequency of use and length of treatment.

02) Can Gabapentin 600 mg cause addiction?

After using Gabapentin 600 mg for a while, some people started to develop an addiction to it. In this case, stopping the medication will cause withdrawal symptoms. If you are worried that you might become physically dependent on Gabapentin 600 mg, talk to your doctor.

Q3) Can anyone take the Gabapentin 600 mg medicine?

If you: 

❖ are trying to get pregnant or are already pregnant; 

❖ have ever had an adverse response to Gabapentin 600 mg or any medication; 

❖ have ever misused or been addicted to a medicine; 

❖ are on a restricted sodium or potassium diet; 

❖ or if your kidneys are in poor condition.

Before using Gabapentin 600 mg liquid, consult your doctor because it includes sodium and potassium.

Q4)What should I do if I forget to take Gabapentin 600 mg?

If this occurs, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. It is preferable to skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual if it is less than two hours before the next dose. Never combine two dosages into one. Never take a second dose to make up for the one you missed. It's critical that you regularly take this medication if you have epilepsy. A seizure could start if a dose is missed.

05) Is it safe to drink alcohol if you are taking Gabapentin?

Alcohol and gabapentin are both depressants, which means they slow down the activity of your central nervous system. So when combined, they can cause extreme drowsiness or dizziness. So avoid alcohol if you are taking gabapentin. 

06) Can I stop the medication if I feel fine ?

Don't stop taking your GABAPIN 600 MG TABLET suddenly, unless your doctor tells you to do so. This medicine is typically taken for a longer period of time, and taking it in this way can help you to get better results.

07) What important things do I need to keep in mind while taking the drug? 

If Gabapentin makes you feel sleepy, don't drive or operate heavy machinery. And never drink alcohol while taking this medication since it will only exasperate your drowsiness.

08) How to store the gabapentin ? 

Gabapentin should be stored at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). Don’t keep it in your bathroom medicine cabinet because the humidity may damage the pills.