Gabapentin is not Suitable for Children under 6 Years of Age

Gabapentin is not suitable for children under 6 years of age but, if it has been prescribed for a child who is older than this, check the label carefully to make sure you are giving the correct dose.

Gabapentin is FDA approved as an anti-convulsant for the treatment of Epilepsy and seizures resulting from other disorders. It is used to treat neuralgia and neuropathy, both of which are syptoms of many different diseases; such as, diabetic neuropathy or Shingles related neuralgia, among other disorders like fibromyalgia, as well as, physical trauma.

Dr.s also prescribe it for general anxiety and panic disorders, instead of more addicting benzodiazepines. and very recently it has been tried as a treatment for major depression and mood disorders.

It can help potentiate the efficacy of analgesic drugs, mostly opiate/opioid medications. It also helps mitigate the unpleasant side effects of withdrawal from opiates during titration and cessation of those drugs.  It can treat Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).

It is not a controlled substance in the United States, and has a very low abuse potential, because it’s efficacy is dose dependent, with limited bioavailability and therefore, the higher the dose the less effective it is. It’s a gabapentinoid and it’s molecular structure is similar to that of GABA , making it a GABA analog, and it works by inhibiting Voltage-dependent Calcium channels (VDCC), it often is thought of as a GABA agonist, like benzodiazepines, but that is incorrect.










Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.

  • Before starting this treatment, read the manufacturer’s printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about gabapentin and any possible side-effects from taking it.
  • Take gabapentin exactly as your doctor has told you to. You will be advised to take a small dose when you first start taking gabapentin and then to increase your doses over a few days as your body gets used to it. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain this to you and your dose will also be on the label of your pack.
  • You can take gabapentin before or after meals. Swallow the tablets/capsules with a drink of water.
  • Once you are taking a regular amount of gabapentin, try to take your doses at the same times each day. This will help you to avoid missing any of your doses.
  • If you need to take an antacid or indigestion remedy, do not take it during the two hours before and the two hours after you take gabapentin. This is because they interfere with the way gabapentin works.

Store the liquid medicine in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.