Gabapentin is a prescription medicine advised to patients who suffer from neuropathic pain. In case you experience nerve pain occasionally or frequently, your healthcare provider may prescribe you the drug to relieve the pain and discomfort. The FDA (The Food and Drug Administration) approved Gabapentin as an anticonvulsive medicine in 1993. The medicine was initially used as a muscle relaxant and anti-spasmodic. According to later discoveries, the medicine is also a potent anticonvulsant. Gabapentin effectively treats neuropathic pain and psychiatric disorders. The medicine changes the way nerves send pain signals to the brain. As the latest research suggests, the medicine treats both acute and chronic pain and improves the patients’ overall quality of life. You should continue with the medicine course until your doctor says otherwise. You will get premium quality Gabapentin 600 and 300 mg tablets at Global Care Meds under your doctor’s prescription.
What Kind of Neuropathic Pain Does Gabapentin Treat?
Gabapentin works similarly to GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter that calms the brain. The medicine regulates the functions of certain neurotransmitters in the central nervous system and treats nerve pain. The drug pacifies the overactive nerve signals that make the body more sensitive to pain.
Gabapentin 600 and Gabapentin 300 mg tablets initially got approval by the FDA to treat seizures. Lately, the medication has proven to be a potent treatment for postherpetic neuralgia. Doctors prescribe the medicine to treat other conditions like alcohol use disorder, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. At Global Care Meds, Gabapentin is available in tablet and capsule form.
The medicine effectively treats nerve pain or neuralgia. Gabapentin treats nerve pain caused by the herpes zoster viral infection, also known as shingles. The neuropathic condition is also known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). The chronic condition leads to severe pain. Diabetic neuropathy is another common cause of nerve pain, characterized by a burning sensation transmitted through the nerves in the feet. This is also a chronic condition.
How Gabapentin works to reduce pain is not clear. The medicine appears to work by changing how the body receives pain signals and reacts to them. Chronic pain disrupts sleep and work, affecting one’s overall quality of life. Pain that persists for a longer period becomes chronic. Such conditions may push one into a depressive state. Gabapentin treats long-term pain under a doctor’s prescription.
How Long Does Gabapentin Take to Come Into Effect?
Gabapentin shows its medicinal effects within 2 to 3 hours after a dose. Of course, the time duration may vary depending on individuals. It’s always advised to take the medicine under your doctor’s prescription. The medicine may take one to two weeks by when the patients experience pain relief. The effectiveness depends on the medicinal dose and how each patient’s body responds to the medicine.
Doctors usually observe patients for four to six weeks after the medicine starts to check how effectively it works for them or whether it works at all. If you are on the medicine, your healthcare provider may adjust the dose to determine the correct dose for you. Keep patience in the process and take the medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes.
Nerve pain usually lasts for months or years. The doctor prescribes the medicine based on the patient’s health condition. The medicine typically takes effect after 2 to 3 weeks. If you can’t see results after that, report to your healthcare provider.
Safety Tips to Follow When You Are on Gabapentin
When on Gabapentin 300 or 600 mg tablets, one needs to follow a few tips to maintain safety under a doctor’s supervision. Some of the most crucial safety tips are as follows –
- Kidney Disorder
In case you have kidney issues, your doctor may prescribe you the medicine in a lower dose or keep a long gap between each dose.
- Opioid Warning
Gabapentin interacts with opioids like morphine or hydrocodone. The interaction leads to severe side effects, such as breathing trouble. The interactions may be fatal, too. It’s a must to report to your healthcare provider if you take opioids.
- Sudden Discontinuation of the Course
It’s strictly advised not to stop Gabapentin suddenly. Sudden withdrawal may lead to severe symptoms. Your doctor will guide you on a safe withdrawal schedule by cutting down the quantity of the medicine.
- Check on Interactions
When a patient takes antacids with specific compositions like magnesium and aluminium, doctors usually advice to maintain a 2-3 hour interval between the antacid and Gabapentin intake.
- Don’t Miss or Overdose
Do not miss the prescribed dose. In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If the time is almost near your next dose, skip the previous dose and take the next dose directly. After that, maintain your regular schedule. Don’t take a double dose.
Final Takeaway
If you suffer from nerve pain, Gabapentin is one of the prescription medicines to address the discomfort. Your doctor may take some time to assess whether the medicine is the right option for you. It may take a few weeks to show full results, and the outcome may vary by individuals. When your doctor prescribes your Gabapentin to treat neuropathic pain, get the best quality medicines at Global Care Meds.
