Overview Of Gabapentin

Dosage Factors

The proper dose of gabapentin will vary for each patient. Factors such as the patient's weight and age, as well as the severity of the condition being treated will all be considered. Patients typically begin this medication with a lower dose for the first few weeks, and the dose is gradually increased over time until the recommended maintenance dose is reached. For example, adults with epilepsy will usually begin by taking three hundred milligrams of gabapentin on the first day of their treatment. On the second day, they will take six hundred milligrams, and the third day will include nine hundred milligrams of gabapentin. After this time, the normal maintenance dose will be set somewhere between nine hundred to 1,800 milligrams per day. Patients will typically take the maintenance amount in several doses throughout the day. Each dose will be between three to six hundred milligrams. Individuals who use gabapentin for restless legs syndrome generally take six hundred milligrams per day, and this is taken at around 6 p.m. Patients with renal dysfunction will need to have their dose adjusted based on their CrCL levels. When discontinuing this drug, the patient may need to taper the dose over at least one week to avoid potential side effects.