- With Mayo Clinic neurologist
Gregory Cascino, M.D.
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Question
Neurontin side effects: How do I manage them?
What are common side effects of Neurontin? How can I manage side effects?
Answer
from Gregory Cascino, M.D.
Gabapentin (Neurontin) is a medication used to help manage certain epileptic seizures and relieve pain in some painful conditions. Common Neurontin side effects are dizziness and drowsiness. Some people may also experience weight gain and unsteadiness.
Some Neurontin side effects, like drowsiness, are more likely to occur when you first start taking the drug. These side effects may go away after a period of time, as your body adjusts. Other side effects may occur because of the combination of drugs that you're taking. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of one or more medications or suggest a new medication to help alleviate such side effects.
Also, it's important to note that in January 2008, the Food and Drug Administration concluded that people taking anti-seizure (anti-epileptic) drugs, including Neurontin, may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.
If you have questions about Neurontin side effects or are experiencing troublesome side effects that aren't going away, talk to your doctor. And be sure to talk to a doctor or counselor immediately if you are having suicidal thoughts.
- Neurontin (prescribing information). New York, N.Y.: Pfizer Inc.; 2009. http://media.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_neurontin.pdf. Accessed Feb. 23, 2010.
- Karceski S. Initial treatment of epilepsy in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 23, 2010.
- FDA public health advisory: Suicidal thoughts and behavior antiepileptic drugs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm100195.htm. Accessed Feb. 23, 2010.
- Treatment with medicine. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/quickstart/newlydiagnosed/qstreatment/qstrmeds.cfm. Accessed March 8, 2010.
- Cascino GD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 10, 2010.
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