Gabapentin 400 mg

Description

Gabapentin 400 mg  or sg 181 orange capsule is an oral capsule and It is commonly used to prevent seizures in people with epilepsy and also treat nerve pain that can occur after viral infection known as shingles(postherpetic nerve pain).It works on the chemical which flows in your brain and nerves.Gabapentin is a form of medicines which collide each other and it is called anticonvulsants.This medicine also helps to treat other health conditions which are determined by a healthcare provider and It belongs to the Drug class of Gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs.The brand names of this medicine are Garalise, Horizant and Neurontin.The drug class of this medicine is Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA).The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this medicinal drug in 1993.

Mechanism of Action of Gabapentin 400 mg (sg 181 orange capsule)Drug

Gabapentin 400 mg comes mainly in two forms:

•  oral based capsule
•  oral tablets.
• It works as a neurotransmitter in the brain. It reduces excitability in the neurons, transmits pain signals and controls seizures. During the treatment of epilepsy it helps to control partial seizures. It is also used for controlling the postherpetic neuralgia that occurs in individuals after pain caused from shingles.There are some people who may have a certain thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicine. Children who are taking gabapentin may have behavioral changes randomly. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms which can occur while consuming this medication. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behaviors.It is not known if gabapentin will harm an unborn baby but you should tell your doctor immediately if you are taking this medicine while pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

 How much Dosage Strength of Gabapentin should we take?

   Basically there are three main types of Usual Adult Dose which are:

• Epilepsy
• Postherpetic Neuralgia
• Restless Legs Syndrome

     Usual Adult Dose for Epilepsy

• Initial dose: 300 mg orally 3 times a day
• Maintenance dose: 300 to 600 mg orally 3 times a day
• Maximum dose: 2400 to 3600 mg/day

     Usual Adult Dose for Postherpetic Neuralgia

• Immediate-release:
  Initial dose:
  Day 1: 300 mg orally once
  Day 2: 300 mg orally 2 times day
  Day 3: 300 mg orally 3 times a day
• Titrate dose as needed for pain relief
• Maintenance dose: 900 to 1800 mg/day orally in 3 divided doses
• Maximum dose: 1800 mg per day

     Usual Adult Dose for Restless Legs Syndrome

• 600 mg orally once daily with food at about 5 PM
• Maximum dose: 600 mg

     Usual Pediatric Dose for Epilepsy:

  Less than 3 years: Not recommended

•  Greater than or equal to 3 and less than 12 years:
• Starting Dose: Ranges from 10 to 15 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses
• Effective Dose: Reached by upward titration over a period of approximately 3 days;the effective dose in patients 5 years of age and older is 25 to 35 mg/kg/day in divided doses (3 times a day). 
• Greater than 12 years:
• -Initial dose: 300 mg orally on day one, 300 mg orally 2 times a day on day two, then 300 mg orally 3 times a day on day three
• -Maintenance dose: 900 to 1800 mg orally in 3 divided doses; the dose may be increased up to 1800 mg/day. Dosages up to 2400 mg/day have been well tolerated in long term clinical studies. Doses of 3600 mg/day have also been administered to a small number of patients for a relatively short duration, and have been well tolerated. 

   The maximum time between doses in the three times a day schedule should not exceed 12 hours.

Gabapentin 400 mg Uses in Medical Treatment

Gabapentin 400 mg is used in treating postherpetic neuralgia, and Restless Legs  Syndrome (RLS) in adults. It is also used in adjunctive therapy for treating partial seizures in adults and children above 6 years of age.

Take gabapentin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.Never take gabapentin in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed as it will create a big risk for you and When your dose requires any change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medication. Then immediately avoid medication errors by using only the medicine your doctor prescribes.

 How Should I Take a Gabapentin 400 mg Tablet?

• Gabapentin 400 mg(sg 181 pill)can be taken with water or juice.
• Avoid crushing or chewing this capsule or tablet.
• If you break a tablet and take only half of it, take the other half at your next dose.
• Any tablet that has been broken should be used as soon as possible or within a few days otherwise it will be wasted so possibly you should try to take it beforehand.
• It is important to follow the doctor’s prescription before taking this medicine. 
• You should once a while go through the medication guide or instruction sheet of that particular medication.
• Doses are based on weight in children. Your child’s dose may change if the child gains or loses weight.
• You should not stop taking gabapentin suddenly. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor’s instructions about reducing your dose.

Side Effects of Taking Gabapentin 400 mg or sg 181 capsule

The purpose of this medicine is treatment of disease in patients. If any patient misuse and overuse this medicine, there may be many side effects in the patient’s body, such as:

Some side effects are more likely in children taking gabapentin. Call your doctor if the child has any of the following side effects: behavior changes, memory problems, trouble concentrating, or acting restless, hostile, or aggressive.

Common side effect of using Gabapentin 400 mg tablet:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Headache
• Trouble Speaking
• Swelling In Legs and feet
• Tiredness
• Chills
• Body Aches
• Sore Throat
• Fever
• vision problems
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• tremors

     Some Serious side effect of using Gabapentin 400 mg tablet:

• Vision problems
• Increase seizures
• Problem with balance or muscle movement
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Weakness

      Precautions of gabapentin sg 181

• Take this medicine after consulting with a doctor and also ask the doctor how to stop taking this medicine. 
• Keep this medicine away from children.
• Do not share this medicine with other patients, it is harmful for other persons.
• People who have a problem with allergies should not take this medicine.
• The oral liquid of gabapentin should be kept in a fridge.
• This medicine is dangerous for those children who are less than 3 years, and also harmful for those persons who are above the age of 65 years.
• People who have difficulty in breathing, diabetes, and kidney problems must take advice from a doctor before taking this medicine.
• Don’t use alcohol and tobacco if you take this medicine.
• If you breastfeed your child, please consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
• If you are pregnant and you take this medicine without a doctor’s permission, it is very dangerous for the unborn baby.
• If you are already taking other medication, then take this medicine as per the doctor’s advice, otherwise it will be harmful for your body.

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1.  What happens if I miss a dose?

  Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two  doses at same time as it will create a problem for your body and mind.Before taking a miss dose always ask your doctor for advice on what we should do now.

     2. What happens if I overdose?

 An overdose can be fatal.So,immediately seek emergency medical attention or call     the health helpline center.There are some overdose symptoms may include slow breathing, double vision, tremor, slurred speech, drowsiness, change in your mental state, dizziness, tiredness, or diarrhea.

  3. What should I avoid while taking gabapentin?

• Avoid driving or dangerous or risky activity until you know how gabapentin will affect you.   
• Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries and in some critical situations it may lead to death also.
• Avoid taking an antacid within 2 hours before you take gabapentin.
• Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur while taking gabapentin.

4. What other drugs will affect gabapentin? 

 Taking gabapentin with other drugs that make you drowsy or slow your breathing rate can cause dangerous side  effects which can lead you to death. Ask your doctor before taking opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.Tell your doctor about all your recent medicines which you are taking before. Many drugs can affect gabapentin, especially:

• naproxen
• opioid medicine – hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, buprenorphine;
• zolpidem
• lorazepam 
• cimetidine.