Neurontin
Neurontin is a medicine used to treat epilepsy and long-lasting nerve pain (peripheral neuropathic pain).
How to Use
Dosage
For adults, the usual starting dose is 300-900 mg daily, which your doctor will gradually increase. For children aged 6 and older, the dose is calculated based on their weight, starting low and increasing over about 3 days.
Method
Take Neurontin by mouth. Swallow capsules or tablets whole with plenty of water. Tablets can be split in half. Continue taking until your doctor tells you to stop.
The maximum daily dose for adults is 3600 mg. For children, the dose is determined by weight, typically 25-35 mg per kg per day.
Possible Side Effects
- •Viral infections
- •Feeling tired
- •Dizziness
- •Lack of coordination
- •Fever
- •Feeling sick or vomiting
- •Diarrhea
- •Dry mouth
- •Stomach pain
- •Headache
- •Sleepiness
- •Blurred vision
- •Muscle or joint pain
- •Swelling in arms or legs
- •Infections (e.g., cold, flu)
- •Weight gain
- •Difficulty thinking
- •Changes in mood (e.g., anxiety, depression)
- •Low blood sugar
- •Loss of consciousness
- •Severe breathing problems
- •Suicidal thoughts
- •Hallucinations
- •Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
- •Liver problems
- •Kidney failure
- •Allergic reactions causing swelling of the face/throat and difficulty breathing (anaphylaxis)
- •Dependence on the medicine
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to gabapentin or any other ingredients.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, as your dose may need to be changed.
- If you are on dialysis, tell your doctor if you experience muscle pain or weakness.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you have stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, as these can be signs of pancreatitis.
- If you have nerve problems, breathing issues, or are over 65, your doctor may adjust your dose. Seek urgent medical help for severe breathing difficulties.
Show 7 more warnings
- If you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, you may be at higher risk of becoming dependent on Neurontin. Discuss this with your doctor.
- A small number of people taking this medicine have had thoughts of harming themselves or suicide. If you have these thoughts, contact your doctor immediately.
- Stop taking Neurontin and get urgent medical help if you get severe skin rashes like red spots, blistering, peeling skin, or mouth sores (signs of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or DRESS).
- Neurontin can cause serious allergic reactions affecting the skin or other parts of the body, such as the liver or blood cells. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe rash, fever, swollen glands, swelling of lips/face/tongue, yellow skin/eyes, unusual bruising/bleeding, severe tiredness, unexpected muscle pain, or frequent infections.
- Muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain, especially with feeling unwell or high fever, can be signs of muscle damage which may lead to kidney problems. Contact your doctor immediately if you have these symptoms.
- This medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Do not stop taking Neurontin suddenly. Always talk to your doctor first, who will guide you on how to gradually stop the medicine over at least one week.
Use in Elderly Patients
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)