Human health can become fragile so that certain people may become sick or unwell. When such things occur, medicine can be helpful to alleviate symptoms. While medications are usually straight-forward when it comes to its function and the way it works in the body, certain medication may actually have more than one function or way of working in the human body. One of the common questions asked by many is the usage of gabapentin as some may think it is a pill for pain or muscle relaxant.
Before answering that, what exactly is gabapentin? Gabapentin belongs to a drug class known as anticonvulsant. Anticonvulsant in general works in reducing seizures and treating epilepsy. Anticonvulsants for such purposes are usually taken for a long period of time before it is able to completely control the seizures. Gabapentin works to stop seizures by reducing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Thus, how do people think of gabapentin as a muscle relaxer or pain pill?
Usage of gabapentin in the early days during the 70s did see its use as muscle relaxer. Soon afterward, it was realised that gabapentin has more potential to be an anticonvulsant. As of today, the FDA approved gabapentin for treating seizure therapy, postherpetic neuralgia and moderate to severe restless leg syndrome. However, as an off-label use, meaning gabapentin used for different purposes from what is FDA approved for, is many. This includes neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder, postmenopausal hot flashes, essential tremors, anxiety, resistant depressant and mood disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), alcohol withdrawal, postoperative analgesia, nausea and vomiting, migraine prophylaxis, headache, interstitial cystitis, painful diabetic neuropathy, social phobia, generalised tonic-clonic seizures, pruritus (itching), insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and refractory chronic cough.
Hence, how can gabapentin work as a pain pill? Gabapentin helps to treat pain by blocking the pain messages from travelling through the brain and down the spine. One of the reasons why gabapentin is used for many purposes is due to its mild side effect. Common side effects are usually minimal which is headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
Treatment with gabapentin usually started with one dose of 300 mg per day and later increased to 3 times a day. The dosage may be up to 3600 mg per day. Gabapentin is started at low dose and increased gradually to minimise side effects. It is recommended to start the first dose in the evening. If pain completely disappears with a lower dose, the patient can stay at that dose instead of increasing to the next higher dose. It is important to note that you may receive gabapentin to be used with different dosage and frequency. It is vital for you to follow all doctor’s advice when taking medication with the right dose and time taken a day.
Effects are usually apparent in the first week but it may take time for up to a month before there is significant improvement. However, some may feel benefits straight away. Doctors may taper the dose or slowly lower the dose for days or weeks before stopping the medication. If gabapentin is stopped suddenly, there are high chances for patients to experience adverse effects such as nausea, pain, sweating, anxiety and insomnia. Although side effects are usually minimal, it is important for patients to be careful when taking the medication. Due to the fact that gabapentin may cause drowsiness, if patients are affected by this, they should avoid driving vehicles on their own or operate complex machines until the effects go away. Patients should also avoid drinking alcohol when taking the medication as it may increase side effects.
If patient are taking other medication or supplement or maybe even herbal remedies, patient should discuss this with their doctor before taking gabapentin. This is due to the possibility of adverse drug reaction that may occur. For example, if patients are taking antacids, they should avoid taking antacids 2 hours before and up to 2 hours after taking gabapentin. Medications such as strong painkillers, antidepressants, antipsychotic and antimalaria, are among the medicines that should be careful when taking together with gabapentin. Since there are a number of drugs that may interact negatively with gabapentin, patients should always ask for advice from healthcare providers.
In essence, usage of gabapentin in the modern world is many but as muscle relaxant, is not, even it was in the past. Gabapentin as a pain pill is common and is considered safe. Minimal side effects are seen with the usage of gabapentin as long as it is taken within the recommended dose and does not exceed the maximum dose. Patients should only take gabapentin when it is prescribed by doctors. Beside taking pain pills, patients are advised to talk to their doctors on ways to reduce pain besides taking medication. This can help patients cope with the pain better and to help them improve their quality of life.
