Gabarone
Gabarone (gabapentin) is an antiepileptic medication. It's approved to help adults with nerve pain after shingles (postherpetic neuralgia). It's also used as add‑on therapy for partial-onset seizures in people 3 years and older with epilepsy. Gabarone (gabapentin) comes as tablets that you take by mouth, usually three times daily. Most people start with a low dose that’s raised over a few days. Common side effects include dizziness and sleepiness. It might also cause leg or foot swelling.
What is Gabarone (gabapentin)?
What is Gabarone (gabapentin) used for?
- Nerve pain from shingles (postherpetic neuralgia) in adults
- Add-on treatment for partial (focal) seizures in people age 3 years and older
How Gabarone (gabapentin) works
Gabarone (gabapentin) is an antiepileptic. It has a similar structure to a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This chemical helps calm nerve activity in the brain. It's thought that mimicking GABA helps the medication improve nerve pain and seizures. Researchers are exploring other ways that it could work.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Gabarone |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antiepileptic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Controlled in some states. See FAQs below. |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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Side effects of Gabarone (gabapentin)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Nerve pain from shingles in adults:
- Dizziness (28%)
- Sleepiness (21%)
- Swelling in legs or feet (8%)
- Diarrhea (6%)
- Weakness (6%)
- Dry mouth (5%)
- Infection (5%)
Seizures in people 12 years and older:
- Sleepiness (19%)
- Dizziness (17%)
- Unsteady movements (13%)
- Fatigue (11%)
- Rapid eye movements (8%)
- Tremor (7%)
- Double vision (6%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Sore throat
- Weight gain
- Abnormal thinking
Note: Side effects were from people 12 years and older. They might differ for younger ages.
Gabarone (gabapentin) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction: hives; sudden rash; skin redness of the whole body, followed by peeling; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; trouble breathing; fever
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Very slowed breathing
More on Gabarone (gabapentin) side effects
The following Gabarone (gabapentin) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
- Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
- Trouble breathing
- Unusual changes in mood or behavior in children after use such as trouble concentrating, hostility, or restlessness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Vomiting
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Pros and cons of Gabarone (gabapentin)
Pros
- An approved option for nerve pain from shingles
- Can take with other anti-seizure medications for partial-onset seizures in people 3 years and older
- Can take with or without food
Cons
- Must take three times daily for most people
- Can cause dizziness and sleepiness, which can make driving unsafe
- Can interact with certain antacids for heartburn
Pharmacist tips for Gabarone (gabapentin)
- You can take Gabarone (gabapentin) with or without food.
- Swallow Gabarone (gabapentin) tablets whole. If you have trouble swallowing pills whole, talk to your prescriber about other options.
- If you're taking Gabarone (gabapentin) multiple times a day, space out your doses as evenly as you can. Try not to go more than 12 hours between your doses so the medication works around the clock. Set phone reminders if needed.
- Don’t stop Gabarone (gabapentin) suddenly. Stopping fast can cause withdrawal symptoms, like anxiety, restless, and dizziness. It can also trigger more seizures if you usually take the medication for seizure control. If you need to stop, talk to your prescriber. They will lower your dose over at least 1 week.
- Don't drive or use machinery until you know how Gabarone (gabapentin) affects you. This medication can cause sleepiness and slow your reaction time. These side effects can especially happen when you first start or after a dose change.
- Avoid alcohol and other medications that make you sleepy while taking Gabarone (gabapentin). This can make you very drowsy and slow your breathing, which can be dangerous.
- If you take opioids for pain, talk to your prescriber before taking Gabarone (gabapentin). Taking them together can cause serious breathing problems. Your prescriber can make sure you absolutely need both medications. If so, your prescriber might start Gabarone (gabapentin) at a lower dose and watch you more closely. Get medical help right away if you have slow or shallow breathing.
- Don't take Gabarone (gabapentin) at the same time as antacids with aluminum or magnesium, like Maalox or Mylanta. Take Gabarone (gabapentin) at least 2 hours after these antacids. This helps both medications work as well as they can for you.
- Tell your care team if you notice mood changes, anxiety, or dark thoughts while taking Gabarone (gabapentin). A small number of people taking medications like Gabarone (gabapentin) have had suicidal thoughts or behavior. If you start thinking about hurting yourself, call or text 988 right away. This is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Getting help early can keep you safe.
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Risks and warnings for Gabarone (gabapentin)
Gabarone (gabapentin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe allergic reactions
Severe allergic reactions to Gabarone (gabapentin) can happen, though they're rare. These include life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis. These reactions can cause trouble breathing or swelling of your lips, throat, or tongue. They can happen soon after the first time you take the medication or any time later on.
Another rare but serious allergic reaction is drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptom (DRESS) syndrome. It can affect your skin and many organs, like the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and blood cells. It often begins with fever, rash, or swollen lymph nodes.
If you notice any signs of a serious allergic reaction, stop taking Gabarone (gabapentin) and get medical help right away.
Sleepiness, dizziness, and trouble concentrating
- Risk factors: Taking high doses of Gabarone (gabapentin) | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that can cause sleepiness
Gabarone (gabapentin) can make you feel very sleepy and dizzy. It can also make it harder to think clearly or focus. These side effects usually get better after a few weeks. Make sure you know how this medication affects you before driving or doing anything that requires your concentration. Tell your care team if you feel too sleepy while taking Gabarone (gabapentin).
Your risk of these side effects is higher if you also take other medications that cause sleepiness. They can include opioids, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxants. Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist to make sure your medications are safe to take together.
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior
- Risk factors: Taking other anti-seizure medications | History of depression
Gabarone (gabapentin) can raise the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. This is rare, but the risk can appear as early as 1 week after starting the medication.
Be sure you and your loved ones watch for any signs of depression or unusual changes in mood or behavior. If this happens, tell your prescriber. If you start thinking about hurting yourself, call 911 right away.
Higher risk of seizures and other side effects if you stop the medication too suddenly or too fast
- Risk factors: Taking Gabarone (gabapentin) at a high dose | Taking Gabarone (gabapentin) for a long time
Don't suddenly stop taking Gabarone (gabapentin) without first talking to your prescriber. Otherwise, you could have withdrawal symptoms that can be uncomfortable. This can include agitation, anxiety, restlessness, and an uneven heartbeat.
If you take Gabarone (gabapentin) to control seizures, stopping it suddenly can especially be harmful. It can cause more seizures to happen.
If you want to stop taking Gabarone (gabapentin), let your prescriber know. They'll help lower your dose slowly, usually over at least a week, before you can stop it completely. This helps lower the risk of withdrawal.
Dangerously slowed breathing
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that cause breathing problems (e.g., COPD, asthma, head injury, high pressure in the brain) | Taking medications that can cause slow breathing
Gabarone (gabapentin) can sometimes make your breathing dangerously slow. This is more likely if you take it with other medications that have the same effect. These medications can include benzodiazepines, opioids, and other sedatives. Your risk is also higher if you already have lung or breathing problems. Very slow breathing can be serious and life-threatening.
Tell your prescribers and pharmacist about your health conditions and all the medications you take. They can make sure Gabarone (gabapentin) is safe for you. If needed, they might recommend to adjust your medications to keep you safe.
If you or anyone around you notices that you have slow or shallow breathing or trouble breathing, call 911 to get medical help right away.
Changes in behavior in children
- Risk factors: Children ages 3 to 12 years old
In studies, children under 12 who took Gabarone (gabapentin) for seizures sometimes had behavior changes. Some were more aggressive, had trouble concentrating, felt restless or hyper, and had changes in how well they did in school. These side effects were usually mild to moderate in intensity. If you or anyone notices these changes in your child, talk to your child's prescriber.
Sudden and unexplained death in people with epilepsy
During clinical development, a small number of sudden deaths happened in people with epilepsy taking Gabarone (gabapentin). Some might've been related to the seizure itself, such as a seizure during sleep (which is quite rare).
Be sure to tell your care team right away about any changes in seizure control. Your prescriber might adjust your therapy or check for other causes to keep you safe. Talk to your prescriber if you're worried about this risk.
Gabarone (gabapentin) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100mg | 90 tablets | $800.17 | $8.89 |
| 400mg | 90 tablets | $787.20 | $8.75 |
Typical dosage for Gabarone (gabapentin)
-
Nerve pain from shingles
- Adults: The typical dose is 300 mg by mouth once on Day 1, then 300 mg twice on Day 2, and then 300 mg three times daily starting on Day 3 and onwards. Your prescriber might raise your dose depending on your response to the medication. The maximum dose is 600 mg three times daily.
-
Partial‑onset seizures (as add-on treatment)
- Adults and children ages 12 years and older: The typical starting dose is 300 mg by mouth three times daily. Your prescriber can adjust the dose based on how well it's working for you. The typical maintenance dose ranges from 300 mg to 600 mg by mouth three times daily.
- Children younger than 12 years of age: The prescriber will determine the dose based on your child's weight. The typical starting dose ranges from 10 mg/kg to 15 mg/kg daily, split into three smaller doses taken by mouth throughout the day. The prescriber will then raise the dose over a few days.
- Children ages 5 to 11 years old: The typical maintenance dose is 25 mg/kg to 35 mg/kg daily, split into three smaller doses throughout the day.
- Children ages 3 to 4 years old: The typical maintenance dose is 40 mg/kg daily, split into three smaller doses during the day.
Your dose might differ if you're of older age, have kidney problems, or have side effects from the medication.
How much does Gabarone (gabapentin) cost?
$787.20
What are alternatives to Gabarone (gabapentin)?
Gabarone (gabapentin) images
