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Itisha Arya

Taking Gabapentin? NHS Warns These Dangerous Side Effects Need Immediate Medical Attention

gabapentin side effects

According to NHS advice, people who use <span>gabapentin</span> may face rare emergencies linked to the medicine. Although it is not officially classed as a painkiller, doctors often prescribe it for nerve pain that follows an injury. It is also used for discomfort caused by shingles or diabetes. The medicine works by interrupting pain signals that move between the brain and spinal cord. Gabapentin is also a common treatment for epilepsy and falls under the group of anticonvulsant drugs. Most people take it as capsules, tablets, or a liquid, usually three times a day.

NHS information notes that the majority of users do not face any side effects. Those who do usually notice only mild and short-lived symptoms.

Gabapentin is a prescription drug that belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants. Doctors usually give it to people who have nerve pain or to help manage certain types of seizures in epilepsy. It is sold under names like Neurontin, Gralise, and Horizant, along with widely used generic versions.

<h2>What Is Gabapentin Approved For?</h2>

Gabapentin is prescribed for a few main purposes:

<ul><li>It helps prevent and control partial seizures. Adults and children aged three and older who experience partial seizures can take it as part of their treatment plan.</li><li>It also eases nerve pain that can appear after a bout of shingles in adults. Shingles develops years after a person has had chickenpox. The chickenpox virus stays quiet in the dorsal root ganglion, a section of the spinal nerve. In some people, usually during times of heightened stress, the dormant virus becomes active again and causes the painful shingles rash. When the rash settles but the nerve pain remains, the condition is known as postherpetic neuralgia.</li><li>Gabapentin is also approved for people who have moderate to severe primary restless legs syndrome.</li><li>Neurontin and Gralise, the branded forms of gabapentin, are licensed for treating partial seizures and postherpetic neuralgia. Horizant, another branded version called gabapentin enacarbil, is approved for restless legs syndrome and postherpetic neuralgia.</li></ul>

There are times when gabapentin may lead to serious reactions that need emergency attention. Mild effects can include an upset stomach, dry mouth, weight gain, or slight memory troubles.

More concerning reactions may involve thoughts of self-harm, unusual muscle pain or weakness, or seeing or hearing things that are not there. Even then, NHS guidance states that these usually require an urgent call to a doctor or 111 rather than ambulance help.

<h2>When You Should Call 999 While Taking Gabapentin</h2>

Like many medicines, gabapentin can trigger a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. This can cause several symptoms, such as swelling in the throat or difficulty breathing. The NHS advises calling 999 if you are taking gabapentin and experience any of the following:

<ul><li>Sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat</li><li> Fainting and the person cannot be woken</li><li> Lips, skin, or tongue turning blue, pale, or grey</li><li> Trouble breathing or unusually fast breathing</li><li> A tight sensation in the throat or difficulty swallowing</li></ul>

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According to NHS advice, people who use gabapentin may face rare emergencies linked to the medicine. Although it is not officially classed as a painkiller, doctors often prescribe it for nerve pain that follows an injury. It is also used for discomfort caused by shingles or diabetes. The medicine works by interrupting pain signals that move between the brain and spinal cord. Gabapentin is also a common treatment for epilepsy and falls under the group of anticonvulsant drugs. Most people take it as capsules, tablets, or a liquid, usually three times a day.NHS information notes that the majority of users do not face any side effects. Those who do usually notice only mild and short-lived symptoms.What Is Gabapentin?Gabapentin is a prescription drug that belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants. Doctors usually give it to people who have nerve pain or to help manage certain types of seizures in epilepsy. It is sold under names like Neurontin, Gralise, and Horizant, along with widely used generic versions.What Is Gabapentin Approved For?Gabapentin is prescribed for a few main purposes:It helps prevent and control partial seizures. Adults and children aged three and older who experience partial seizures can take it as part of their treatment plan.It also eases nerve pain that can appear after a bout of shingles in adults. Shingles develops years after a person has had chickenpox. The chickenpox virus stays quiet in the dorsal root ganglion, a section of the spinal nerve. In some people, usually during times of heightened stress, the dormant virus becomes active again and causes the painful shingles rash. When the rash settles but the nerve pain remains, the condition is known as postherpetic neuralgia.Gabapentin is also approved for people who have moderate to severe primary restless legs syndrome.Neurontin and Gralise, the branded forms of gabapentin, are licensed for treating partial seizures and postherpetic neuralgia. Horizant, another branded version called gabapentin enacarbil, is approved for restless legs syndrome and postherpetic neuralgia.Side Effects Of GabapentinThere are times when gabapentin may lead to serious reactions that need emergency attention. Mild effects can include an upset stomach, dry mouth, weight gain, or slight memory troubles.More concerning reactions may involve thoughts of self-harm, unusual muscle pain or weakness, or seeing or hearing things that are not there. Even then, NHS guidance states that these usually require an urgent call to a doctor or 111 rather than ambulance help.When You Should Call 999 While Taking GabapentinLike many medicines, gabapentin can trigger a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. This can cause several symptoms, such as swelling in the throat or difficulty breathing. The NHS advises calling 999 if you are taking gabapentin and experience any of the following:Sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat Fainting and the person cannot be woken Lips, skin, or tongue turning blue, pale, or grey Trouble breathing or unusually fast breathing A tight sensation in the throat or difficulty swallowing