Should gabapentin be taken with food?
Immediate-release forms of gabapentin (Neurontin, generic gabapentin) can be taken with or without food. The longer-acting forms of gabapentin (Horizant, Gralise) should be taken with food or a meal to help improve the absorption of the medicine.
Specifically,
- If you are taking Gralise (gabapentin), you should take your dose with an evening meal. Gralise is usually taken once per day.
- If you are taking Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil extended-release), take each dose of your medicine with food. Horizant is usually taken once or twice per day.
- Swallow your Gralise or Horizant tablets whole. Do not split, cut, crush, or chew the tablets before swallowing.
Gabapentin may cause stomach side effects like nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, gas, or stomach pain, especially when you are first starting treatment. Taking it with food may help to lessen these side effects.
Take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking any form of gabapentin without talking to your doctor first. If you stop taking it suddenly, you may develop serious side effects like seizures, anxiety, insomnia (trouble sleeping), nausea, pain and sweating.
Why is gabapentin prescribed?
Gabapentin (the generic) and the brand name Neurontin both comes as immediate-release forms of gabapentin. Immediate-release gabapentin is classified as an anti-epileptic medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of pain you may have from shingles (postherpetic nerve pain) and seizure disorders (convulsions). Immediate-release gabapentin is available as an oral capsule, oral tablet and oral solution.
Gralise and Horizant are extended-release (long-acting) forms of gabapentin.
- Both Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil, a prodrug of gabapentin) and Gralise (gabapentin) are approved by the FDA to be used in adults to treat pain from damaged nerves (postherpetic neuralgia) that may occur after a case of shingles (a painful rash on the body from a herpes zoster infection).
- Horizant is also approved to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS) in adults.
- It is not known if Gralise or Horizant are safe and effective in people with seizure problems (epilepsy).
All forms of gabapentin can slow your thinking, cause drowsiness and dizziness and impair your motor skills. Do not drink alcohol or take medicines that make you sleepy while taking gabapentin, unless approved by your doctor. This may worsen your sleepiness or dizziness.
Do not drive, operate machinery or perform any hazardous activities until you know how gabapentin affects you. You may still be drowsy the morning after you take your dose, so be cautious. Do not drive or perform hazardous activities if you are drowsy
In more detail: Gabapentin Uses, Warnings and Side Effects
Related questions
- Lyrica vs Gabapentin: What's the difference?
- Gabapentin for dogs: Uses, side effects and dosage
- Is gabapentin considered a painkiller?
Can I switch between Gralise and Horizant?
No, only take the form of gabapentin your doctor has prescribed for you. While both Gralise and Horizant are approved to treat postherpetic nerve pain from shingles, they cannot be interchanged (switched around) with each other OR other gabapentin products (for example, generic gabapentin, Neurontin) because when absorbed they result in different blood concentrations.
When you get your prescription filled, check your medicine with your pharmacist to be sure you have received the correct drug and form.
Can I take gabapentin with an antacid?
Antacids are used to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion (reflux), and upset stomach. If you take an antacid that contains aluminum (Al) or magnesium (Mg), take your gabapentin dose at least 2 hours after taking the antacid. Antacids with Al or Mg may cause a drug interaction that reduces the availability of gabapentin by about 20%, and may lower the effectiveness of the medicine.
Common antacids that contain Al or Mg include: Amphojel, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox and Mylanta.
This is not all the information you need to know about gabapentin for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Yagi T, Naito T, Mino Y, et al. Impact of concomitant antacid administration on gabapentin plasma exposure and oral bioavailability in healthy adult subjects. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2012;27(2):248-54. doi: 10.2133/dmpk.dmpk-11-rg-108
- Gabapentin. Side effects. Drugs.com. Accessed Feb 6, 2024 at https://www.drugs.com/sfx/gabapentin-side-effects.html
- Gralise prescribing information. Accessed Feb 6, 2024 at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/022544Orig1s029lbl.pdf
- Horizant prescribing information. Accessed Feb 6, 2024 at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/022399s010lbl.pdf
Read next
Does gabapentin help treat nerve pain?
Gabapentin can help relieve nerve pain in some people with postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles) and peripheral diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain in the feet in people with diabetes). A Cochrane review reported that 3 to 4 patients out of every 10 with either of these conditions experienced at least a 50% reduction in pain intensity when prescribed gabapentin at dosages of 1800mg-3600 mg/day (gabapentin encarbil: 1200mg-3600 mg/day). This compared with only 1 or 2 out of every 10 given a placebo (an inactive treatment). People who had an improvement in pain relief with gabapentin are also expected to experience an improvement in sleep, fatigue, and in their mood. Continue reading
How long does gabapentin withdrawal last?
Case reports have shown that gabapentin withdrawal often lasts for 5 to 10 days, but some people have taken as long as 18 weeks to completely taper off gabapentin while managing withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms and how long they last depend on how much of the drug you are taking and for how long you’ve been taking it. Continue reading
Is gabapentin safe for cats?
Gabapentin is safe for cats and is commonly prescribed by veterinarians to treat pain, anxiety, and feline hyperesthesia syndrome. It has a low risk of side effects when taken at the correct dosage. Mild sedation and lethargy are the most common side effects but these tend to get better with continued dosing. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Does gabapentin cause weight gain?
- How long does it take gabapentin to work?
- Does gabapentin help you sleep?
- How does gabapentin make you feel?
- Is gabapentin a controlled substance / narcotic?
- Is gabapentin addictive?
- Does gabapentin cause constipation?
- Gabapentin, impotence and other problems?
- What is Conventin used for?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Gabapentin (485 questions, 2,042 members)
- Neurontin (59 questions, 534 members)
- Horizant (4 questions, 23 members)
- Gralise (1 questions, 21 members)
- Pain (2,249 questions, 11,898 members)
- Anxiety (2,980 questions, 10,862 members)
- Insomnia (639 questions, 2,635 members)
- Bipolar Disorder (499 questions, 3,180 members)
- Pruritus (186 questions, 322 members)
- Cough (171 questions, 455 members)
- Fibromyalgia (318 questions, 2,878 members)