Gabapentin

Gabapentin Capsules, USP are indicated for: Management of postherpetic neuralgia in adults Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures, with and without secondary generalization, in adults and pediatric patients 3 years and older with epilepsy Gabapentin Capsules, USP are indicated for Postherpetic neuralgia in adults (1) Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures, with and without secondary generalization, in adults and pediatric patients 3 years and older with epilepsy (1)

• 2 DOSAGE AND ADMlNlSTRATION Postherpetic Neuralgia Dose can be titrated up as needed to a dose of 1800 mg/day Day 1: Single 300 mg dose Day 2: 600 mg/day (i.e., 300 mg two times a day) Day 3: 900 mg/day (i.e., 300 mg three times a day) Epilepsy with Partial Onset Seizures Patients 12 years of age and older: starting dose is 300 mg three times daily; may be titrated up to 600 mg three times daily Patients 3 to 11 years of age: starting dose range is 10 to 15 mg/kg/day, given in three divided doses; recommended dose in patients 3 to 4 years of age is 40 mg/kg/day, given in three divided doses; the recommended dose in patients 5 to 11 years of age is 25 to 35 mg/kg/day, given in three divided doses
• The recommended dose is reached by upward titration over a period of approximately 3 days Dose should be adjusted in patients with reduced renal function Dosage for Postherpetic Neuralgia
• In adults with postherpetic neuralgia, Gabapentin may be initiated on Day 1 as a single 300 mg dose, on Day 2 as 600 mg/day (300 mg two times a day), and on Day 3 as 900 mg/day (300 mg three times a day)
• The dose can subsequently be titrated up as needed for pain relief to a dose of 1800 mg/day (600 mg three times a day). …

Capsules: 100 mg: Hard gelatin capsules with white opaque body with white opaque cap, imprinted with “AHD” on cap and “100” on body in black ink and filled with white to off-white powder. 300 mg: Hard gelatin capsules with yellow opaque body with caramel opaque cap, imprinted with “AHD” on cap and “300” on body in black ink and filled with white to off-white powder. …

• Safety and effectiveness of Gabapentin in the management of postherpetic neuralgia
• In pediatric patients have not been established
• Safety and effectiveness as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures
• In pediatric patients below the age of 3 years has not been established [see Clinical Studies ]

The total number of patients treated with Gabapentin in controlled clinical trials in patients with another condition was 336, of which 102 (30%) were 65 to 74 years of age, and 168 (50%) were 75 years of age and older. There was a larger treatment effect in patients 75 years of age and older compared with younger patients who received the same dosage. …

• Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide)
• Administrative Information Inform patients that Gabapentin is taken orally with or without food
• Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivit y Prior to initiation of treatment with Gabapentin, instruct patients that a rash or other signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity (such as fever or lymphadenopathy) may herald a serious medical event and that the patient should report any such occurrence to a physician immediately [ see Warnings and Precautions ]. …

• Gabapentin is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to the drug or its ingredients
• Known hypersensitivity to gabapentin or its ingredients

Concentrations increased by morphine; may need dose adjustment (5.4, 7.1 ) 7.1 Opioids Respiratory depression and sedation, sometimes resulting in death, have been reported following coadministration of gabapentin with opioids (e.g., morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, buprenorphine) [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ]. Hydrocodone Coadministration of gabapentin with hydrocodone decreases hydrocodone exposure [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. The potential for alteration in hydrocodone exposure and effect should be considered when gabapentin is started or discontinued in a patient taking hydrocodone. …

Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (Multiorgan hypersensitivity): Discontinue if alternative etiology is not be established (5.1) Anaphylaxis and Angioedema: Discontinue and evaluate patient immediately (5.2) Driving impairment; Somnolence/Sedation and Dizziness: Warn patients not to drive until they have gained sufficient experience to assess whether their ability to drive or operate heavy machinery will be impaired (5.3, 5.4) Increased seizure frequency may occur in patients with seizure disorders if Gabapentin is abruptly discontinued (5.5) Suicidal Behavior and Ideation: Monitor for suicidal thoughts / behavior (5.6) Respiratory depression: May occur with gabapentin wh …

The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections: Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Anaphylaxis and Angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Somnolence/Sedation and Dizziness [see see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Withdrawal Precipitated Seizure, Status Epilepticus [see see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Suicidal Behavior and Ideation [see see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Respiratory Depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Neuropsychiatric Adverse Reactions (Pediatric Patients 3 to 12 Years of Age) [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.8 …

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), such as Gabapentin, during pregnancy. Encourage women who are taking Gabapentin during pregnancy to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry by calling the toll free number 1-888-233-2334 or visiting http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/. …

Signs of acute toxicity in animals included ataxia, labored breathing, ptosis, sedation, hypoactivity, or excitation. Acute oral overdoses of gabapentin have been reported. Symptoms have included double vision, tremor, slurred speech, drowsiness, altered mental status, dizziness, lethargy, and diarrhea. Fatal respiratory depression has been reported with gabapentin overdose, alone and in combination with other CNS depressants. Gabapentin can be removed by hemodialysis. If overexposure occurs, call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

9.1 Controlled Substance Gabapentin is not a scheduled drug. 9.2 Abuse Abuse is the intentional, non-therapeutic use of a drug, even once, for its desirable psychological or physiological effects. Misuse is the intentional use, for therapeutic purposes, of a drug by an individual in a way other than prescribed by a health care provider or for whom it was not prescribed. Gabapentin does not exhibit affinity for benzodiazepine, opioid (mu, delta or kappa), or cannabinoid 1 receptor sites. …

Take it when you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose. Then skip the missed one. Never take two doses at once to make up for it. Check your leaflet, as some medicines are different.