Neurontin

(gabapentin)

●●●●●
3.4/ 5 average rating with 620 reviewsforNeurontin
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Treats tingling and burning nerve pain.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

Neurontin (gabapentin) is an old seizure disorder medicine that is now used to treat nerve-related pain caused by different conditions.

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Quick facts about Neurontin
  • Drug class: Neurology
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (gabapentin)

Upsides

  • Originally used to treat epilepsy (partial seizures), but now it primarily treats neuropathic pain that's caused by nerve stimulation or damage.
  • Studies show it's most effective for nerve pain from diabetes, shingles, and fibromyalgia (a painful muscle condition).
  • It's available as a generic, so it's less expensive than similar medications.
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What to expect from Neurontin, on one page

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People’s experience with Neurontin

620reviews so far. What do you think?

Downsides

  • Neurontin (gabapentin) can cause some side effects, including memory problems, drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion. There is a higher risk for these side effects if you drink alcohol, so it might not be the best medication for heavy drinkers.
  • You can't skip or miss doses since suddenly stopping Neurontin (gabapentin) can cause seizures.
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How it works

Neurontin (gabapentin) is an antiepileptic and nerve pain reliever. Researchers don't know exactly how it works, but it has a similar structure to GABA, a neurotransmitter that calms nerves in the brain and spinal cord.

Quick facts about Neurontin
  • Drug class: Neurology
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (gabapentin)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
  • Oral solution
  • Extended release
People’s experience with Neurontin

620reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Neurontin (gabapentin) for Pain from shingles

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Swelling in the limbs
  • Dry mouth
  • Diarrhea
  • Worse coordination
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Side effect rates for Neurontin (gabapentin)

From 563 clinical trials of Neurontin when taken for pain from shingles
  • Dizziness
    28%28%
    8%8%
  • Drowsiness
    21%21%
    5%5%
  • Swelling in the limbs
    8%8%
    2%2%
  • Abnormal physical weakness
    6%6%
    5%5%
  • Diarrhea
    6%6%
    3%3%
  • Infection
    5%5%
    4%4%
  • Dry mouth
    5%5%
    1%1%
  • Constipation
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Nausea
    4%4%
    3%3%
  • Headache
    3%3%
    3%3%
  • Accidental injury
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Stomach pain
    3%3%
    3%3%
  • Vomiting
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Worse coordination
    3%3%
  • Thinking abnormal
    3%3%
  • Decreased vision
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Gas
    2%2%
    2%2%
  • Weight gain
    2%2%
  • Abnormal gait
    2%2%
  • Lack of coordination
    2%2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Neurontin.

Neurontin (gabapentin)
Placebo

People taking Neurontin felt side effect more

People taking Neurontin felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Neurontin (gabapentin)

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  • Neurontin (gabapentin) may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior as early as 1 week after starting treatment. Watch for the start or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. Tell your doctor immediately if you are worried.

Pharmacist Q&A

Neurontin (gabapentin) questions for

Frequently Asked Questions

This medication treats partial seizures with and without secondary generalization in adolescents and adults over 12 years of age with epilepsy.

Who is this drug for?

This medication treats partial seizures with and without secondary generalization in adolescents and adults over 12 years of age with epilepsy.

Common concerns from people taking Neurontin (gabapentin)

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Alcohol
  • Not worth it
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed gabapentinon 3/1/2018Never to have alcohol when taking it. I noticed the new prescriptions of Gabipentin now has warnings about alcohol and even driving.
    55
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Nerve pain
  • Not sure
    Worked well
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Neurontinon 7/17/2017Give it time to work, but be prepped to feel like you're on an alcohol bender I still get the woozy, talkative, forgetful side effects and I've been on it over 2 months now!!
    40
    Woman
    A few months
    Nerve pain
Food
  • Take the extended-release tablet (Gralise) with food.
Pain
  • Studies show it's most effective for nerve pain from diabetes, shingles, and fibromyalgia (a painful muscle condition).
  • Not worth it
    Worked well
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Neurontinon 5/4/2019I gained 30 lb in two months without any change in diet. I’d rather live housebound in pain than look and feel like this. The weight is all in the mid section. I want to kill myself
    60
    Woman
    A few months
    Nerve pain
  • Not sure
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed gabapentinon 2/10/2018Used for chronic pain for about 5yrs or so, then suddenly I built up an immunity to it and it was no longer effective. I gained about 20lbs while on this med too. First few months were hard in adjusting with its brain fog, sleepiness and the like.
    46
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Nerve pain
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Neurontinon 8/29/2017I don't have nerve pain. And no one told me this is an easy drug to get on but it's almost impossible to get off, especially when they keep doubling your dose every month. I told my Doctor I don't like this drug, you misdiagnosed my pain, and I'm not taking this junk anymore and you can't make me take it. That made him real mad, he told me that gabapentin works with my painkillers and since it made them work better,and, if you won't take we won't give you any more painkillers
    65
    Pain after surgery
Sleep
  • Taking Neurontin (gabapentin) can make you feel sleepy, tired, and affect your coordination. Avoid activities that require you to be alert, such as driving a car or operating machinery, until you know how Neurontin (gabapentin) affects you.
  • Take doses at bedtime to avoid dizziness and drowsiness.
  • Neurontin (gabapentin) can cause some side effects, including memory problems, drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion. There is a higher risk for these side effects if you drink alcohol, so it might not be the best medication for heavy drinkers.
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Neurontinon 8/23/2015I take it for nerve pain in my feet caused by MS. It makes me drowsy so I only take it at night but it has helped. Can't say if it has made dizziness or drowsiness worse because virtually every MS drug has those side effects.
    54
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Nerve pain
Weight
  • Not worth it
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Neurontinon 8/18/2017I had no idea that the drug caused weight gain which occurred steadily over the six years I took the drug for neuropathy in my feet due to diabetes. I was able to stop the diabetes with diet and exercise but the nerve damage has remained and I now use acupuncture for relief.
    83
    Man
    Two years or more
    Nerve pain from diabetes
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Low hassle
    Reviewed NeurontinHuge weight gain. Went from a size 4 to a size 12 in 6 months. Be careful when you first start taking it. I fell and hit my head the first week I took it. Seemed to work at first, now peripheral neuropathy is back.
    59
    Woman
  • Worth it
    Didn’t work
    Low hassle
    Reviewed NeurontinI wish I'd known that I would gain so much weight, and that even consistent dieting and regular exercise doesn't help me lose much. The price is right----my doctor has tried to switch me to cymbalta because of wt. gain, but it's $$$$$$$$$$
    65
    Woman