last update: November 14, 2025
INDICATIONS
Neurontin is used for treating seizures associated with epilepsy. Neurontin is an anticonvulsant.
Neurontin is the brand name for gabapentin, a well-established anticonvulsant and neuromodulator. Clinically, it is used as adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures and for certain types of nerve pain. While gabapentin was originally developed to mimic the neurotransmitter GABA, it does not act on GABA receptors. Instead, it binds to the alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system, helping reduce the release of excitatory neurotransmitters and stabilize neuronal activity.
FDA-approved indications in the United States include:
Common off-label uses (evidence varies by condition and jurisdiction) include diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neuropathic pain of other etiologies, restless legs syndrome (an extended-release prodrug, gabapentin enacarbil, has an FDA indication for RLS), hot flashes, certain anxiety-related symptoms, and pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease. Off-label use should always be guided by a qualified clinician after weighing benefits and risks.
Use Neurontin exactly as directed by your doctor. Dosing is individualized based on your condition, response, and kidney function. General guidance includes:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is close to the time for your next dose. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Your prescriber will create a plan tailored to you. Common adult regimens include:
Renal dosing: Gabapentin is eliminated unchanged by the kidneys. Dose adjustments are essential in reduced kidney function and for patients on dialysis. Your clinician will adjust based on estimated creatinine clearance (e.g., lower total daily amounts when CrCl <60 mL/min and supplemental post-dialysis doses for hemodialysis patients). Never change your dose without medical guidance.
Store Neurontin at 77°F (25°C); brief excursions between 59–86°F (15–30°C) are permitted. Keep the medication in its original container, protected from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Dispose of unused or expired tablets and capsules according to pharmacy or community take-back instructions.
Active ingredient: Gabapentin.
Gabapentin is available as immediate-release capsules and tablets in multiple strengths, and as an oral solution. Extended-release formulations and prodrugs (e.g., gabapentin enacarbil) have different dosing and administration instructions. Use only the product and strength prescribed for you; do not substitute formulations without approval from your clinician and pharmacist.
Talk to your doctor before use, especially if any of the following apply to you:
Gabapentin has relatively few clinically significant drug interactions because it is not metabolized by liver enzymes. Notable interactions include:
This is not a complete list. Always tell your clinician and pharmacist about all medications and supplements you take, and consult them before starting, stopping, or changing any dose.
Many people tolerate Neurontin well. Common side effects are usually mild to moderate and improve with dose adjustment or time. Contact your clinician if bothersome or persistent.
Common side effects include:
Serious side effects: Seek immediate medical care for any of the following:
This list is not exhaustive. Discuss side effects and next steps with your healthcare provider.
Symptoms of overdose may include severe dizziness or drowsiness, double vision, slurred speech, ataxia, lethargy, and, rarely, coma. Overdose is more dangerous with co-ingestion of alcohol, opioids, or other sedatives. Seek emergency medical attention immediately. In patients with kidney failure, hemodialysis can remove gabapentin.
Neurontin is a versatile therapy for focal seizure control and neuropathic pain syndromes. Its renal elimination and minimal liver metabolism result in relatively few drug-drug interactions, though dose adjustment in kidney impairment is crucial. The most common side effects are neurologic—dizziness and somnolence—and can often be mitigated with slow titration and attention to concomitant sedatives. Because of class warnings for suicidality and the potential for respiratory depression when combined with opioids, careful monitoring and personalized dosing are essential.
While not classical “interactions,” certain conditions warrant extra caution or closer monitoring:
In the United States, gabapentin (Neurontin) is a prescription medication. Several states classify it as a Schedule V controlled substance or require enhanced monitoring, and all states require dispensing by a licensed pharmacy pursuant to a legitimate prescription from a U.S.-licensed clinician. Purchasing gabapentin from websites that advertise “no prescription needed” may violate federal and/or state law and can expose you to unsafe or counterfeit products.
Legitimate, patient-first access pathways include in-person visits or telehealth evaluations with licensed clinicians who can determine if Neurontin is appropriate, issue an electronic prescription when indicated, and arrange dispensing through a licensed U.S. pharmacy. This ensures proper dosing, renal adjustment when needed, counseling on interactions and side effects, and ongoing monitoring for safety and effectiveness.
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Petersburg offers a legal and structured solution to obtain Neurontin without requiring you to submit a prior paper prescription: patients can complete a compliant clinical evaluation (including telehealth where permitted by law). If a U.S.-licensed prescriber determines Neurontin is appropriate, a valid electronic prescription is issued and filled by a licensed pharmacy. This process complies with federal and state regulations while giving patients safe, supervised access and continuity of care. Always avoid sources that bypass clinical evaluation or offer gabapentin without a legitimate prescription.
Neurontin is the brand name for gabapentin, a gabapentinoid that binds to the alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in the nervous system. This reduces the release of excitatory neurotransmitters, calming overactive nerve signaling involved in seizures and neuropathic pain.
Neurontin is FDA-approved for partial-onset seizures (as adjunct therapy) and postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles). Clinicians may also use gabapentin off-label for other neuropathic pain syndromes and certain cases of restless legs syndrome, depending on the patient.
Some people notice pain relief within a few days, but it may take 1–2 weeks or longer to see full benefit as the dose is gradually adjusted. For seizure control, consistent daily use at the prescribed schedule is needed to reach steady effect.
Take it exactly as prescribed, at evenly spaced times each day, with or without food. Try to be consistent with timing. Swallow tablets or capsules whole; if you have trouble, ask your pharmacist about alternative forms. Do not change your dose without medical advice.
Drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, unsteadiness, and coordination problems are common. Some people experience peripheral edema (swelling), weight gain, tremor, or blurred vision. Many effects lessen as your body adjusts, but report anything troublesome to your clinician.
Seek medical help for severe rash or swelling (angioedema), new or worsening depression, mood changes, or suicidal thoughts. Combining gabapentin with opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other sedatives can cause dangerous sedation and respiratory depression.
Physical dependence can occur after regular use. Stopping suddenly may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, nausea, pain rebound, sweating, agitation, or seizures. Taper only under medical supervision.
Until you know how it affects you, avoid driving and hazardous tasks. Dizziness and sleepiness are common, and the effects can be stronger when combined with alcohol or other CNS depressants.
Take it when you remember unless it’s close to your next scheduled dose. If so, skip the missed dose and resume your usual schedule. Do not double up.
Do not stop abruptly. Work with your prescriber on a gradual taper to reduce withdrawal and symptom rebound. People with epilepsy should never stop anticonvulsants without medical guidance.
Gabapentin can increase sedation when combined with opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep aids, or alcohol. Aluminum- or magnesium-containing antacids can reduce absorption; separate them by a couple of hours. Always share your medication list with your clinician.
Yes. Gabapentin is cleared by the kidneys, so people with chronic kidney disease or on dialysis usually need dose adjustments to avoid accumulation and side effects. Your prescriber will individualize your regimen.
Weight gain and leg or ankle swelling can occur due to fluid retention and appetite changes. Regular activity, a balanced diet, and discussing dose adjustments or alternatives with your clinician can help if these effects become problematic.
Gabapentin is not controlled at the federal level in the United States, but several states classify it as a controlled or monitored substance due to misuse potential. It should be taken only as prescribed.
Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat, and out of reach of children and pets. Keep it in the original container and follow any pharmacy-specific instructions.
Alcohol amplifies drowsiness, dizziness, and coordination problems caused by gabapentin and increases the risk of dangerous sedation, especially with higher doses or other CNS depressants. Avoid or limit alcohol and never binge drink while taking Neurontin.
Data are limited. Gabapentin is not a proven major teratogen, but any medication in pregnancy requires a careful risk–benefit discussion. If you need Neurontin for seizures or severe neuropathic pain, your clinician may continue it at the lowest effective dose and recommend folic acid supplementation and monitoring.
Gabapentin passes into breast milk in small amounts. Many infants tolerate it, but watch for excessive sleepiness, poor feeding, or poor weight gain. Discuss risks and benefits with your pediatrician and prescribing clinician.
Do not stop on your own. Most patients continue gabapentin through the perioperative period, but always inform your surgical and anesthesia teams. They will coordinate dosing and monitor for additive sedation with anesthetics and opioids.
This combination raises the risk of profound sedation and respiratory depression. If your clinician prescribes both, they will use the lowest effective doses, avoid other sedatives, and advise close monitoring. Never mix with alcohol or recreational sedatives.
You can often take gabapentin with tailored dosing based on your kidney function and dialysis schedule. Report increased drowsiness, confusion, or balance issues, which may signal the need for dose adjustment.
Some clinicians use gabapentin off-label for anxiety or sleep problems, particularly when neuropathic pain is also present. Benefits must be weighed against side effects like daytime sedation, dizziness, and potential for dependence; first-line therapies may be preferable.
Overdose can cause severe drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, double vision, vomiting, ataxia, or shallow breathing—especially if combined with alcohol or opioids. Seek emergency care immediately. Treatment is supportive; dialysis may help in severe kidney impairment.
Both are gabapentinoids and effective for nerve pain. Pregabalin tends to have faster, more predictable absorption and may work at lower milligram doses, while gabapentin is often less expensive and widely available. Individual response varies; some patients do better on one than the other.
They share similar side effects—dizziness, sleepiness, edema, weight gain, and blurred vision. Pregabalin may cause more peripheral edema and weight gain in some patients and is a federally controlled substance due to abuse potential. Gabapentin also carries misuse risk but is not federally scheduled.
Both contain gabapentin, but Neurontin is an immediate-release formulation taken multiple times daily, while Gralise is an extended-release tablet taken once daily with the evening meal, designed for postherpetic neuralgia. They are not directly interchangeable milligram-for-milligram.
Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil) is a prodrug of gabapentin with improved absorption and is FDA-approved for restless legs syndrome and postherpetic neuralgia. Neurontin is immediate-release gabapentin approved for seizures and postherpetic neuralgia. Dosing schedules and indications differ.
FDA-approved generics are bioequivalent to Neurontin within accepted ranges. Most people do just as well on generic gabapentin. If you notice a significant change in effect after switching manufacturers, discuss it with your prescriber or pharmacist.
Pregabalin has linear, more predictable absorption, so it often reaches effective levels faster and at lower milligram doses. Gabapentin’s absorption is saturable, so higher doses yield proportionally less absorbed drug. Clinicians choose based on response, tolerability, cost, and comorbidities.
Both can treat partial-onset seizures. Oxcarbazepine is often used as first-line monotherapy but can cause hyponatremia and has more drug–drug interactions. Gabapentin is usually adjunctive, is renally cleared (fewer hepatic interactions), and is often better tolerated but may be less potent for seizure control.
Lamotrigine is frequently preferred for focal seizures and has strong evidence as monotherapy and adjunct therapy, but it requires slow titration and has a risk of serious rash. Gabapentin is generally used as adjunct therapy with a favorable tolerability profile. Choice depends on seizure type, comorbidities, and interactions.
Topiramate can cause cognitive slowing, word-finding difficulty, paresthesias, weight loss, and kidney stones. Gabapentin more commonly causes sedation, dizziness, edema, and weight gain. The “best” option depends on whether weight change, cognition, kidney risk, or sedation is a priority concern.
Levetiracetam is effective for focal seizures and convenient to dose but can cause mood changes, irritability, or depression in some patients. Gabapentin is typically sedating but has fewer behavioral effects. Both are renally cleared and have minimal hepatic interactions.
Carbamazepine is effective for trigeminal neuralgia and focal seizures but is an enzyme inducer with many interactions and risks such as hyponatremia, leukopenia, and serious rash (especially in certain HLA genotypes). Gabapentin has fewer interactions and is often preferred for generalized neuropathic pain, though it may be less potent for some neuralgias.
Pregabalin has FDA approval for fibromyalgia; gabapentin has supportive off-label evidence but is not specifically approved. Some patients respond well to gabapentin, especially when cost is a concern, while others benefit more from pregabalin’s faster onset and predictable absorption.
Yes, clinicians often switch between gabapentinoids. A cross-taper is typically used to minimize withdrawal and side effects, and the milligram doses are not equivalent due to different potency and absorption. Your prescriber will guide the schedule and target doses.
Extended-release formulations like Gralise or prodrug Horizant provide smoother blood levels and once-daily dosing for certain indications but are not interchangeable with Neurontin on a milligram basis. Choice depends on indication, adherence needs, meal timing, and insurance coverage.