Neurontin

How and Why Use Neurontin

To control and prevent seizures, patients often decide to take Neurontin, but this medicine can be used to relieve pain that follows shingles in adults. Basically, it belongs to antiepileptic or anticonvulsant meds, and it’s also taken to treat other conditions related to nerve pain and restless legs syndrome.

How Neurontin Should Be Taken by Patients

This medication is designed to be taken orally, and the right dose is prescribed according to a specific medical condition, individual response and other important things. When it comes to children, their dosage is always based on weight.

To reduce the risk of having unwanted side effects, it’s advisable to start taking the first dose of Neurontin at bedtime. For patients who undergo this treatment to control seizures, it’s not allowed to let 12 hours pass between their regular doses.

The right absorption of this medicine may be interfered with because of the use of antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum, so they shouldn’t be combined.

List of Unwanted Symptoms That May Develop

A few patients who take Neurontin report the following adverse effects:

• Loss of coordination;
• Dizziness and drowsiness;
• Double or blurred vision;
• Unusual tiredness;
• Tremor and unusual eye movements.

In rare cases, some of them also experience serious side effects, such as new signs of infection, swelling of feet or hands, etc. Those patients who take anticonvulsants for any medical condition may end up with depression, mental and mood problems, but it happens very rarely.

It’s necessary to tell their physicians once they start noticing these signs. Besides, all people who take Neurontin must get emergency medical help if they have such serious adverse effects as yellow eyes and skin, swollen glands, dark urine, unusual tiredness, chest pain and a few others.

Sometimes, allergic reactions to its active ingredients may develop, and they are characterized by such symptoms as difficulty breathing, dizziness, itching, swelling and so on.

Warnings and Precautions before Taking Neurontin

Before patients decide to use this medicine, they need to discuss such health problems as allergic reactions, mood and mental problems, kidney disorders, alcohol or drug abuse, etc.

The intake of Neurontin can make them feel drowsy or dizzy and cause vision changes, so users are not allowed to drive or do other things that require clear vision and alertness. Another important requirement is to limit alcoholic beverages when undergoing this treatment.

Older patients are more sensitive to adverse effects of Neurontin, especially when it comes to swelling, loss of coordination and dizziness. Children are more sensitive to such side effects as mood and behavioral changes.

In conclusion, this medication shouldn’t be combined with some drugs, including antihistamines, pills for anxiety or sleep, narcotic pain relievers, muscle relaxants and other meds that result in drowsiness.