Gabapentin ratiopharm
Gabapentin ratiopharm is a medicine used to treat epilepsy and long-lasting pain caused by nerve damage.
Form
kapseli, kova
Strength
400 mg
Active Ingredient
Gabapentin
Manufacturer
ratiopharm GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will determine your dose, usually starting with 300–900 mg per day.
Method
Swallow the capsules whole with water. Take your dose three times a day: in the morning, afternoon, and evening. You can take the medicine with or without food.
Important
The maximum daily dose is 3600 mg, and your doctor may gradually increase your dose.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Viral infection
- •Feeling sleepy, dizzy, or having trouble with coordination
- •Tiredness, fever
- •Lung, airway, urinary tract, or ear infections
- •Low number of white blood cells
- •Loss or increase in appetite
- •Feeling aggressive, confused, mood changes, depression, anxiety, nervousness, or difficulty thinking clearly
- •Convulsions, jerky movements, speech problems, memory loss, shaking, trouble sleeping, headache, sensitive skin, numbness, difficulty coordinating movements, unusual eye movements, stronger or weaker reflexes
- •Blurred or double vision
- •Spinning sensation (vertigo)
- •High blood pressure, blushing, or widened blood vessels
- •Breathing problems, bronchitis, sore throat, cough, dry nose or throat
- •Vomiting, nausea, gum problems, diarrhea, stomach pain, indigestion, constipation, dry mouth or throat, gas
- •Swelling of the face, bruising, rash, itching, acne
- •Joint pain, muscle pain, back pain, muscle twitching
- •Erection problems (impotence)
- •Swelling in legs or arms, difficulty walking, weakness, pain, feeling generally unwell, flu-like symptoms
- •Weight gain
- •Accidents, fractures, scrapes
- •Aggressive behavior, jerky movements (reported in children)
RARE
- •Agitation (restlessness, uncontrolled movements)
- •Allergic reactions, such as hives
- •Reduced movement
- •Heart palpitations
- •Difficulty swallowing
- •Swelling of the face, upper body, or limbs
- •Abnormal liver blood tests
- •Decreased mental performance
- •Falls
- •High blood sugar (especially in diabetics)
- •Low blood sugar (especially in diabetics)
- •Loss of consciousness
- •Breathing problems (shallow or very slow breathing)
- •Low number of platelets (cells important for blood clotting)
- •Suicidal thoughts, hallucinations
- •Abnormal movements (twisting, jerky, or stiff movements)
- •Ringing in the ears
- •Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), liver inflammation
- •Sudden kidney failure, inability to control urination
- •Increased breast tissue (in men), breast enlargement
- •Withdrawal effects if gabapentin is stopped suddenly (anxiety, trouble sleeping, nausea, pain, sweating), chest pain
- •Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)
- •Abnormal blood test results (high creatine phosphokinase levels)
- •Sexual problems (inability to reach orgasm, delayed ejaculation)
- •Low sodium levels in blood
- •Anaphylaxis (severe, life-threatening allergic reaction with breathing difficulties, swelling of lips, throat, and tongue, low blood pressure)
- •Developing dependence on Gabapentin ratiopharm (drug dependence)
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to gabapentin or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, as your dose may need to be adjusted.
- If you are on hemodialysis and experience muscle pain or weakness, tell your doctor.
- Contact a doctor immediately if you have severe stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting, as these could be signs of a serious pancreatic inflammation.
- Tell your doctor if you have nervous system or breathing problems, or if you are over 65 years old, so your doctor can check your dose.
Show 9 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you have ever misused alcohol, prescription medicines, or drugs, as you might have a higher risk of becoming dependent on this medicine.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, contact a doctor immediately.
- Stop using the medicine and seek immediate medical attention if you develop severe skin reactions like widespread red rashes, blisters, fever, or swollen lymph nodes (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome or DRESS).
- Contact a doctor immediately if you have muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain, especially with fever or feeling unwell, as this could be a sign of dangerous muscle breakdown.
- If you take too much of this medicine, contact a doctor or poison control center immediately. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, dizziness, and slurred speech.
- Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly; always talk to your doctor first so the dose can be reduced gradually.
- This medicine can cause dizziness or tiredness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.
- If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy, tell your doctor. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking this medicine.
- Gabapentin ratiopharm is not recommended for children under 6 years of age.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Sedative. Reduce the dose already in mild renal impairment. Note especially central nervous system adverse effects. Take the several interactions in the absorption phase into account. (updated 14.4.2025)