GABALEPT (NEURONTIN) INDICATIONS
Gabalept is used for treating seizures associated with epilepsy. Gabalept is an anticonvulsant.
GABALEPT (NEURONTIN) INSTRUCTIONS
Use Gabalept as directed by your doctor.
- Take Gabalept by mouth with or without food.
- Do not take an antacid containing aluminum or magnesium within 2 hours before you take Gabalept.
- If you are taking half of a scored tablet as your dose, take the other half of that tablet as your next dose. Throw away any half-tablets not used within several days of breaking a scored tablet.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Gabalept. You may have an increased risk of side effects (eg, seizures). If you need to stop Gabalept or add a new medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.
- If you miss a dose of Gabalept, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Gabalept.
GABALEPT (NEURONTIN) STORAGE
Store Gabalept at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Gabalept out of the reach of children and away from pets.
GABALEPT (NEURONTIN) MORE INFO:
Active Ingredient:Gabapentin.
Do NOT use Gabalept if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Gabalept.
Some medical conditions may interact with Gabalept. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have kidney problems and are on dialysis
- if you have a history of mental or mood problems (eg, depression), or suicidal thoughts or actions.
Some medicines may interact with Gabalept. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any medicines, especially any of the following:
- Morphine because it may increase the risk of Gabalept's side effects, including drowsiness.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Gabalept may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
Important safety information:
- Gabalept may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Gabalept with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Patients who take Gabalept may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. Watch patients who take Gabalept closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
- Diabetes patients - Gabalept may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Gabalept may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Gabalept.
- Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Gabalept. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Gabalept with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Gabalept may cause emotional or behavioral side effects in children 3 to 12 years. If the following side effects occur, notify your doctor immediately: emotional "swings", hostile or aggressive behavior, problems concentrating, decreased performance at school, an increase in restlessness or hyperactivity.
- Gabalept should be used with extreme caution in children younger 3 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Gabalept while you are pregnant. Gabalept is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Gabalept, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
If you stop taking Gabalept suddenly, you may have withdrawal symptoms. These may include dizziness, drowsiness, clumsiness, hostility, hyperactivity, mood swings, nausea, tiredness, or vomiting.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.
Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:
Back pain; changes in vision (double or blurred vision); clumsiness; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; nausea; stomach upset; tiredness; vomiting; weight gain.
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal thoughts; back and forth eye movements; behavioral problems; change in school performance; chest pain; confusion; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hyperactivity; loss of coordination; memory loss; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, depression, agitation, anxiety, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, restlessness, inability to sit still); new or worsening seizures; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; severe headache or dizziness; shortness of breath; speech changes; suicidal thoughts or actions; swelling of the hands, legs, or feet; tremor; trouble concentrating; twitching.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.