Should gabapentin be taken with food?

Immediate-release forms of gabapentin (Neurontin, generic gabapentin) can be taken with or without food. The longer-acting forms of gabapentin (Horizant, Gralise) should be taken with food or a meal to help improve the absorption of the medicine.

Specifically,

• If you are taking Gralise (gabapentin), you should take your dose with an evening meal. Gralise is usually taken once per day.
• If you are taking Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil extended-release), take each dose of your medicine with food. Horizant is usually taken once or twice per day.
• Swallow your Gralise or Horizant tablets whole. Do not split, cut, crush, or chew the tablets before swallowing.

Gabapentin may cause stomach side effects like nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, gas, or stomach pain, especially when you are first starting treatment. Taking it with food may help to lessen these side effects.

Take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking any form of gabapentin without talking to your doctor first. If you stop taking it suddenly, you may develop serious side effects like seizures, anxiety, insomnia (trouble sleeping), nausea, pain and sweating.

Why is gabapentin prescribed?

Gabapentin (the generic) and the brand name Neurontin both comes as immediate-release forms of gabapentin. Immediate-release gabapentin is classified as an anti-epileptic medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of pain you may have from shingles (postherpetic nerve pain) and seizure disorders (convulsions). Immediate-release gabapentin is available as an oral capsule, oral tablet and oral solution.

Gralise and Horizant are extended-release (long-acting) forms of gabapentin.

• Both Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil, a prodrug of gabapentin) and Gralise (gabapentin) are approved by the FDA to be used in adults to treat pain from damaged nerves (postherpetic neuralgia) that may occur after a case of shingles (a painful rash on the body from a herpes zoster infection).
• Horizant is also approved to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS) in adults.
• It is not known if Gralise or Horizant are safe and effective in people with seizure problems (epilepsy).

All forms of gabapentin can slow your thinking, cause drowsiness and dizziness and impair your motor skills. Do not drink alcohol or take medicines that make you sleepy while taking gabapentin, unless approved by your doctor. This may worsen your sleepiness or dizziness.

Do not drive, operate machinery or perform any hazardous activities until you know how gabapentin affects you. You may still be drowsy the morning after you take your dose, so be cautious. Do not drive or perform hazardous activities if you are drowsy

In more detail: Gabapentin Uses, Warnings and Side Effects

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Can I switch between Gralise and Horizant?

No, only take the form of gabapentin your doctor has prescribed for you. While both Gralise and Horizant are approved to treat postherpetic nerve pain from shingles, they cannot be interchanged (switched around) with each other OR other gabapentin products (for example, generic gabapentin, Neurontin) because when absorbed they result in different blood concentrations.

When you get your prescription filled, check your medicine with your pharmacist to be sure you have received the correct drug and form.

Can I take gabapentin with an antacid?

Antacids are used to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion (reflux), and upset stomach. If you take an antacid that contains aluminum (Al) or magnesium (Mg), take your gabapentin dose at least 2 hours after taking the antacid. Antacids with Al or Mg may cause a drug interaction that reduces the availability of gabapentin by about 20%, and may lower the effectiveness of the medicine.

Common antacids that contain Al or Mg include: Amphojel, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox and Mylanta.

This is not all the information you need to know about gabapentin for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.