Overview Of Gabapentin

Medication Interactions

Gabapentin can interact with more than one hundred medications. It has particularly strong medication interactions with opiate pain relievers such as morphine and hydrocodone-acetaminophen. It also has severe interactions with sodium oxybate and medicines that depress the respiratory system. If these medicines are taken together, patients could experience loss of coordination, and they might become confused or agitated. They could become excessively sleepy, and they might start sleeping longer than they normally would at night. The patient's respiratory rate could slow too. Moderate interactions are known to exist between gabapentin and medicines containing aluminum or magnesium. Aluminum and magnesium both decrease the amount of gabapentin absorbed by the body. If these medicines are taken with gabapentin, patients could have an increase in seizures. To reduce this risk, patients who use gabapentin are typically advised to take antacids and other products containing aluminum or magnesium at least two hours before taking gabapentin. Patients who take naproxen sodium with gabapentin could experience excessive sleepiness and gastrointestinal issues, and they should speak to their physician before using these medicines together.

Uncover details on commonly prescribed alternatives next.