Gabapentin 100 mg for shingles pain?

My doctor just sent me home this afternoon with a 30-day starter pack of Gralise brand gabapentin for treatment of shingles pain. It says it is important to take once a day with your evening meal. It starts with 300 mg on the first day, 600mg on day two, 900 on days 3 thru 6, 1200 on day 7. By day 15, you are takng 1800 mg once a day (still with your evening meal). Hope this helps.

This drug has not helped me at all but the correct way its to be given is as follows and this was from the head of Pain Management Dr. at Shands in Gainesville FLorida, - First week take 300 mg at night for 7 days, 2nd week 300 mg in afternoon 300 mg at night for 7 days, 3rd week 300mg in morning, afternoon and night for 7 days, week 4, 300 mg in morning, noon, and 600 mg at night for 7 days..week 5, 300 mg in am 600 mg after, 600mg night. for 7 days then week 6, 600mg morning, noon and night thats the build up to 1800 mg a day.he also said it would take up to 4th week for me to feel any relief,. he told me alot of Drs dont prescribe it correctly but unfortunatley this drug after doing all that did not work for me... Best of luck to you..shine

This is way too low a dose for the pain of shingles. Your doctor should have started you at 300mg, with an increase of 300mg about every week or how you can handle the side effets, Lyrica is actually a better chose for shingles, Basically the same type of med, but different. They are both seizure meds that have to be increased slowly until you can withstand the side effects. In the meantime you should have been prescribed a narcotic pain releiver as you stated Tylenol # 4 until you get relief from the other med. That dose will have to be way up there for the relief of shingles tho'. Is this your family physician prescribing the gabepentin? Sure doesn't sound right to me Just some thoughts...

Call your physician and explain that the medications were of no benefit.

Additionally, I would recommend that you read over the prescribing information regarding the drug Lidoderm 5% patch. This patch is specifically indicated for patients suffering with the excruciating pain accompanied with shingles. https://www.drugs.com/pro/lidoderm.html

I have provided a link regarding this medication above. Please read over carefully. If you feel you would like to try this, please contact your physician, as this is dispensed by prescription only.

Best Regards.

I am not sure about this Ace. My son had it on his face near the eyes, & they prescribed Lyrica for it. He got the blurry vision tho' & had to stop it so he could work...

Hey Red in Denver,

As both BRR and ace_rick pointed out, you are on a low dose and it takes a few days for the medication to build in the system. The following is from the literature:

Usual Adult Dose for Postherpetic Neuralgia

Initial dose: 300 mg orally on day one, 300 mg orally twice a day on day two, then 300 mg orally 3 times a day on day three.

The dose may be titrated up as needed for pain relief to a daily dose of 1800 mg.

Maintenance dose: 900 to 1800 mg orally in 3 divided doses.

So you may need to talk to the doctor and discuss increasing the dosage.

Best wishes,

Laurie

Hi Red,
Your guess about the low dose is correct.I know people take 1800mg.I'm also wondering why your doc started with 100mg!! Neurontin will not relieve pain with this low dose.Call the doc maybe he did mistake,but don't increase the dose on your own since yoget hlepu have shingles,and maybe you take other meds .I have tried neurotin before,and my initial dose was 300mg which is the usual dose for many patients.check with him and insist that you don't get help with pain and sleep. Read about neurontin doses in the site, it tells sth about it.high wish for you Red in Denver.ace_rick

it could take a week to get the full effect of the drug one pill is not going to give you instant relief.