Gabapentin Interaction

Cautions With Other Medicines

Some medicines may affect how gabapentin works or increase the chance of you having side effects.

Antacids can reduce the amount of gabapentin that the body takes in so it does not work as well. To stop this happening, if you need to take an antacid, take it at least 2 hours before or after your dose of gabapentin.

Tell your doctor if you’re taking any of these medicines before you start gabapentin treatment:

• • strong painkillers, such as morphine – these can make you very tired and dizzy when you start taking gabapentin
  • antidepressants, such as amitriptyline or fluoxetine
  • antipsychotic medicines for mental health problems like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
  • a medicine to prevent malaria called mefloquine

Gabapentin (Neurontin) is an anticonvulsant (antiseizure) medication that’s FDA approved to treat seizures and post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain from shingles). It’s also considered a first-choice treatment option for general nerve pain. But this is an off-label use.

Gabapentin is also available as Gralise, an extended-release (ER) formulation. It’s approved for post-herpetic neuralgia. Another ER formulation (Horizant) is FDA approved for post-herpetic neuralgia and restless leg syndrome.

Though gabapentin has many uses, it can interact with other medications. Some gabapentin interactions may worsen the side effects of gabapentin, like dizziness and sleepiness. Others may make gabapentin less effective.

Mixing Gabapentin with Herbal Remedies or Supplements

Taking herbal remedies and supplements that can make you feel dizzy or drowsy while you’re taking gabapentin could make these side effects worse.

Gabapentin can intensify the highs of recreational drugs like cannabis and heroin.

So, if you use recreational drugs alongside gabapentin, there may be more chance of unpleasant side effects like panic attacks, anxiety and memory loss.

Does Gabapentin Interact With Cannabis?

Gabapentin and cannabis can cause similar side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness. So taking them together can worsen these effects. Although cannabis is sometimes used for nerve pain, it’s not an FDA-approved medication.

It’s best to avoid combining gabapentin and cannabis unless you’ve discussed it with a healthcare professional. They can make recommendations about what cannabis products and dosages may be best for you.

When Should I Contact my Healthcare Team About a Gabapentin Interaction?

Always talk to your prescriber and pharmacist before starting gabapentin. Give them an up-to-date medication list. Include both prescription and OTC medications, as well as supplements. This can help them check for gabapentin interactions. And if you drink alcohol, make sure to let your prescriber know before starting gabapentin.

If you’re experiencing signs of a gabapentin interaction, let your prescriber know right away. This may include excessive sleepiness or dizziness. If the symptoms are severe, such as slowed breathing or confusion, seek immediate medical care. These symptoms can be life-threatening.

Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) is a medication that’s used to treat nerve pain, seizures, and more. But like most medications, it has possible drug interactions. This includes interactions with opioids like oxycodone (Roxicodone, Oxycontin), benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax), and alcohol. It can also interact with over-the-counter antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) as well as antacids containing magnesium or aluminum.

Talk with your prescriber and pharmacist before starting gabapentin. They can help you check for gabapentin interactions. If you take gabapentin and you’re having serious symptoms, seek emergency care. This includes slowed breathing, slurred speech, or confusion.