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Gabapentin

Brand names: Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant

Gabapentin calms overactive nerve signals. It treats nerve pain, such as after shingles, and some types of seizures.

Brand namesNeurontin, Gralise, Horizant
Type of medicineAnticonvulsant (nerve pain and seizure medicine)
Prescription?Prescription
ImportantThis page is general information, not a prescription. Don't start, stop, or change a medicine without talking to your provider or pharmacist.

Overview

It is often started at a low dose and raised slowly.

Providers also prescribe it off-label for other kinds of nerve pain.

What it's used for

  • Nerve pain after shingles (postherpetic neuralgia)
  • Partial seizures (with other medicines)
  • Restless legs syndrome (Horizant)
  • Off-label: diabetic nerve pain and other nerve pain

How to take it

  • Take it with or without food, spaced through the day as prescribed.
  • If you take antacids, wait at least 2 hours before taking gabapentin.
  • Don't stop suddenly, especially if you take it for seizures. Your provider will lower the dose slowly.

Your dose depends on your health and other medicines. Always follow your prescription label, and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.

Side effects

Common side effects

  • Sleepiness
  • Dizziness
  • Unsteadiness
  • Swelling in hands or feet
  • Weight gain
Call 911Slow, shallow breathing or blue lips, especially with opioids or in people with lung disease
Call 911Thoughts of harming yourself. Call or text 988 any time.
Call your provider todayA rash with fever, swollen glands, or yellow skin or eyes
Call your provider todayNew or worse depression, anxiety, agitation, or mood changes

Warnings

  • Don't drive until you know how it affects you.
  • Older adults are more likely to feel dizzy and fall.
  • Doses are lower in people with kidney disease.

Other medicines, foods, and alcohol

  • Opioids, alcohol, sleeping pills, and anxiety medicines add to drowsiness and can slow breathing dangerously.
  • Antacids with aluminum or magnesium lower absorption.

Tell your provider and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Talk with your provider before stopping or starting it. If you take it for seizures, don't stop on your own.

Missed doses, overdose, and storage

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. Then skip the missed dose. Don't take two doses at once.

If someone takes too much

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get help online at poison.org. Call 911 if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be woken.

Storing it

Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of reach of children and pets.

Conditions it's used for

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-13.