Neurontin Overview

Neurontin (gabapentin) is a prescription medicine that helps control epileptic seizures. Neurontin doesn't cure epilepsy—it only helps control seizures. Doctors also prescribe this medication to patients with postherpetic neuralgia.

Postherpetic neuralgia is a painful complication of shingles. Shingles is an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin. Pfizer manufactures Neurontin. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug in 1993.

Here, we'll describe common side effects of Neurontin. We'll also discuss the serious health risks this drug poses. Finally, we'll explain what to do if you suffer an injury or illness while taking this medication.

Who May Take Neurontin

Doctors typically prescribe Neurontin to patients with epilepsy. According to the manufacturer, the drug is safe for patients over three years old. Of course, the dosages doctors prescribe to pediatric patients are lower than for adults. The same is true for older adults.

Neurontin also helps patients suffering from shingles (herpes zoster). When given for the treatment of shingles, doctors should limit the prescription of this drug to patients twelve years of age and older.

One of the more common off-label uses of Neurontin is for restless leg syndrome. According to JAMA, the FDA has approved the drug for various off-label uses over the years. These uses include the following:

• 2000: Treatment of partial seizures in children over the age of three
• 2002: Helping with postherpetic neuralgia
• 2004: Treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy
• 2007: Helping with fibromyalgia
• 2012: Relief of nerve pain due to spinal cord injury

The number of patients taking Neurontin tripled between 2002 and 2015. As of 2017, it was the seventh most-taken drug in the U.S. The drug is available in capsules, tablets, and oral solutions. It helps patients with symptoms of shingles as well as general nerve pain. It also serves as an anticonvulsant drug for patients with epilepsy.

Who Should Avoid Taking Neurontin

Certain patients should avoid taking this medication. Patients taking opioids should not take Neurontin (gabapentin). The drug has an adverse drug interaction with drugs like hydrocodone and morphine. Your doctor can find an alternative antiepileptic drug. They can prescribe a drug that won't cause a severe drug interaction.

Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding must avoid taking Neurontin. People with renal failure or kidney disease should not take Neurontin. This medication tends to cause adverse effects in patients suffering from kidney problems. This is especially true for patients undergoing dialysis.

Side Effects of Neurontin

Most prescription drugs have side effects. Even over-the-counter medications can have serious side effects. Depending on the severity of your side effects, you may want to talk to your doctor about changing medications.

Patients experiencing the following side effects should tell their doctor immediately:

• Drowsiness, tiredness, or sleepiness
• Dizziness or unsteadiness
• Headache
• Uncontrollable shaking of a body part
• Double vision
• Blurred vision
• Breathing problems
• Anxiety
• Memory problems
• Strange or unusual thoughts
• Unwanted eye movements
• Nausea or vomiting
• Heartburn
• Weight gain
• Swelling of the extremities
• Back or joint pain

Some severe side effects of gabapentin can indicate dangerous health complications. These include:

• Skin rash or hives
• Itching
• Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Seizures

Consult your medication guide if you experience other side effects. Don't stop taking Neurontin without talking to your doctor or mental health professional. You will likely experience withdrawal symptoms.

Neurontin Precautions

Your health and safety must be your priority when taking prescription drugs. Below, we'll highlight specific precautions you can take to ensure your safety.

Some of the safety tips you must follow include:

• During the first few months of treatment, check your progress with regular visits to your healthcare provider.
• If you're considering stopping Neurontin, talk to your doctor about gradually reducing your dose. Eliminating it may cause seizures.
• Know how you react to Neurontin before you drive.
• Notify your physician if you are taking Neurontin before medical testing.

Neurontin affects children and older patients differently, so take special precautions.

Neurontin Interactions With Other Drugs and Foods

Neurontin can negatively interact with other drugs. Tell your healthcare professional about all your medicines, including vitamins and herbal supplements. Taking Neurontin with antacids can cause lower levels of Neurontin in your blood. Take Neurontin at least two hours before any antacid.

If you take morphine while taking Neurontin, your blood levels of Neurontin may elevate and cause enhanced side effects. Neurontin will enhance the effects of alcohol and other depressants.

The drugs that may adversely interact with Neurontin include:

• Antihistamines
• Sedatives
• Tranquilizers
• Sleep medications
• Prescription pain medication
• Narcotics
• Barbiturates
• Other seizure medications
• Muscle relaxants
• Anesthetics
• Other medicines that can make you drowsy or less alert

You must alert your doctor to any medications or supplements you take. Also, tell them about any allergies you may have. An allergic reaction to an anti-seizure medication can be severe and even life-threatening.

FDA Alerts Regarding Neurontin

Back in January 2008, the FDA issued a warning about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in patients taking antiepileptic drugs to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, migraine headaches, and other conditions.

An FDA analysis of recent studies shows that patients taking antiepileptics were twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared with patients receiving a placebo.

Over the years, several plaintiffs have filed suits against Pfizer. These lawsuits alleged that Neurontin causes suicidality and that Pfizer Pharmaceuticals failed to disclose this risk.

Although Pfizer denies that there's scientific evidence linking Neurontin to suicide, it did change its prescribing information to include "suicide" and "suicide attempt" as infrequent adverse events.

Neurontin Lawsuits

Pfizer and its subsidiaries have been the subject of several Neurontin lawsuits. They allege the illegal and fraudulent promotion of unapproved uses for Neurontin and gabapentin.

In 2004, Warner-Lambert (now Pfizer) paid over $430 million to resolve criminal charges and civil liability. These charges are related to off-label uses of Neurontin.

In June 2014, Pfizer agreed to pay $325 million to settle another lawsuit for illegal Neurontin marketing and promotion.

In 2015, several female plaintiffs sued Pfizer, alleging that their medication caused congenital disabilities in their babies. The drug manufacturer has resolved most of these cases. Some are still pending.

By 2018, over 1,200 plaintiffs had sued Pfizer. They alleged that their medication caused suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Many plaintiffs lost a loved one to suicide due to their taking Neurontin.

In 2022, the CDC announced that more than 10% of all overdose deaths in the U.S. involved Neurontin or gabapentin. The medical examiners in these cases ruled that gabapentin directly caused more than half of these deaths. Several plaintiffs have sued Pfizer for wrongful death.

Getting Legal Help

While most medications have specific anticipated side effects, drug manufacturers must make their products as reasonably safe as possible. They must also warn patients and the medical community of the known risks of their drugs.

If a manufacturer fails to honor these duties, the courts may hold them legally responsible for resulting injuries. If you suffered from taking Neurontin, you may need to file a product liability lawsuit.

Contact a healthcare professional immediately if you or a loved one has experienced unusual symptoms or medical conditions while taking Neurontin. You should also contact an experienced product liability attorney to discuss your legal options.

Visit FindLaw.com's attorney directory to find a personal injury lawyer near you.