Gabapentin for neuropathic pain

This leaflet is about the use of gabapentin for neuropathic pain (pain caused by nerve damage).

Do not stop giving gabapentin suddenly.

This leaflet has been written specifically about the use of this medicine in children. The information may differ from that provided by the manufacturer. Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

Name of drug

Gabapentin

Common brands: Neurontin^®

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

Gabapentin will help your child to feel less pain.

What is gabapentin available as?

Tablets: 600 mg (white, or white with black markings), 800 mg (white, or white with orange markings)
Capsules: 100 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg; these contain small amounts of lactose

When should I give gabapentin?

Gabapentin is usually given three times a day. This should be first thing in the morning, early afternoon and at bedtime. Ideally, these times are at least 4 hours apart.
You may start by giving gabapentin once a day for a few days, then twice a day for a few days, then three times a day. This will help your child to get used to the medicine. Your doctor will explain what to do.
It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of gabapentin (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.
When you first start giving gabapentin to your child, you may start with a small amount and then increase the dose bit by bit over a few days or weeks. This helps your child to get used to the medicine. Your doctor will explain what to do.
It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions.

How should I give it?

Tablets

These should be swallowed with a glass of water, juice or similar. Your child should not chew the tablets.
You can crush the tablet and mix it with a small amount of soft food (e.g. yogurt, honey or jam) or a drink (water or juice). Make sure your child swallows it straight away, without chewing.

Capsules

These should be swallowed with a glass of water, juice or similar. Your child should not chew the capsules.
You can open the capsule and mix the contents with a teaspoon of soft food (e.g. yogurt, honey or jam) or a small amount (10 mL, which is about 2 teaspoons) of fruit squash. Make sure your child swallows it all straight away, without chewing. The capsule contents have a bitter taste, so you will need to use something strong tasting to mask it, such as undiluted fruit squash.

When will the medicine start working?

It will take a few days or weeks for gabapentin to work properly. This is because the amount of medicine has to be increased slowly. Continue to give the medicine as you have been told to by your doctor. It may take a while to find the dose that works best for your child.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after taking a dose of gabapentin, give them the same dose again.
If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after taking a dose of gabapentin, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

What if I forget to give it?

If you miss a dose, wait until the next normal dose. Do not give the missed dose.
Never give a ‘double’ dose of gabapentin.

What if I give too much?

If you think you may have given your child too much gabapentin, contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647) or take your child to hospital.
Take the medicine container or pack with you, even if it is empty. This will be useful to the doctor. Have the packet with you if you telephone for advice.

Are there any possible side-effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they cause effects that we don’t want (side-effects).

Your child may get these side-effects when they first start taking gabapentin. They will usually settle down within a week or so as their body gets used to the medicine. Continue to give gabapentin to your child as your doctor has told you to during this time. If any of these side-effects continue for longer than a week or so, or if you are worried, contact your doctor.

Your child may be drowsy (sleepy), dizzy or unsteady.
Your child may feel less hungry (lose their appetite), and feel sick (nausea) or be sick (vomit).
Your child may get diarrhoea, constipation, wind, indigestion or a dry mouth. Your doctor may be able to prescribe other medicines to help with these symptoms if they are a problem.
Occasionally children may seem particularly emotional, anxious or overactive or may have problems with their memory.
Your child may be hungrier than usual – this effect can last for many months. Encourage your child to eat food that is low in fat and sugar, otherwise they may put on a lot of weight.

Can other common medicines be given at the same time as gabapentin?

You can give your child medicines that contain ibuprofen or paracetamol, unless your doctor has told you not to.
Do not give gabapentin at the same time as indigestion remedies. Wait at least 2 hours between these two types of medicine.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines.

Is there anything else I need to know about this medicine

Do not suddenly stop giving gabapentin to your child, as they may get withdrawal symptoms.
If your doctor decides to stop this medicine, they will discuss this with you. You will usually reduce the dose bit by bit.
Do not change the dose without talking to your doctor first.

General advice

If gabapentin does not seem to be helping your child’s pain, contact your doctor for advice.
Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if they seem to have the same condition, as you could do them harm.
If you think someone else may have taken gabapentin by accident, contact your doctor for advice straight away.
Try to give the medicine at about the same times each day, to help you remember. Write down the times that you give doses.
Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.
Make sure that the medicine is not older than the ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where should I keep this medicine?

Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
Keep the medicine in the container it came in.