Neurontin

(gabapentin)

●●●●●
3.4/ 5 average rating with 620 reviewsforNeurontin
Skip to: drug prices sectionSkip to: what to expect sectionSkip to: side effects sectionSkip to: risks and warnings sectionSkip to: common concerns from users and pharmacists
ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Lowest price near you
  • Lowest price with coupon
    $839.42
Find instant savings
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.
Get the newsletter!

Sign up and get Pill Talk, the latest in health & medicine news from Iodine

Get our free fact sheet

What to expect from Neurontin, on one page

Download Fact Sheet
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.
Get the newsletter!

Sign up and get Pill Talk, the latest in health & medicine news from Iodine

Get our free fact sheet

What to expect from Neurontin, on one page

Download Fact Sheet
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

Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.
Prices and coupons for 90 (600mg) tablets of gabapentin near
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
See more prices and coupons in your area

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

Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.
  • 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
Skip side effects section. Skip to risks and warnings section.

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)

Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.

  • 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)

Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?
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 9/11/2019Neurontin works full body, not just on select nerves or pain and this may cause side effects. Lots of scientific literature about the negative, long term side effects of Gabapentin.
    27
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Restless legs syndrome
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed gabapentinon 7/28/2019It worked really well for nerve pain, took it for a year. most side effects were mild but I did experienced mood swings. It made me irritated and a bit aggressive. I also found it helped my pain immediately contrary to what I was told that I had to wait for a week even a month for it to have any effects.
    35
    Woman
    A year or so
    Nerve pain
  • 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
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
  • 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
  • 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