Gabapentin’s primary use is to prevent or control seizures.
Gabapentin can also help reduce post-herpetic neuralgia, a burning or stabbing nerve pain that is a common complication of shingles.
Extended-release gabapentin (Horizant) tablets can treat restless legs syndrome.
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication. When given for epilepsy, it is believed to work by reducing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain, thus preventing seizures.
It is also used to treat nerve pain where it blocks pain by interfering with pain signals travelling through the damaged nerves and the brain.
Major & minor side effects for Gabapentin
- Dizziness
- Uncontrolled eye movements
- Agitation and anxiety
- Restlessness
- Hyperactivity
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Irritability
- Blurred vision
- Lower back pain
- Tremors
- Increased appetite
- Change in vision
- Dry mouth
- Weight gain
This medicine is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women unless necessary.
This medicine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in the first week of the treatment.
Gabapentin may cause skin reaction like Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS).
Gabapentin is known to cause sedation and dizziness.
This medicine is known to cause central nervous system effects like behavior changes, difficulty in concentration and restlessness.
Gabapentin should not be stopped immediately without informing the doctor due to the risk of increasing seizure frequency.
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant. It works on the brain and spinal cord to relieve muscle
stiffness or spasm maintaining the strength of the muscles. This relieves pain and
improves movement of muscles.
Baclofen is used to treat muscle symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis, including
spasm, pain, and stiffness.
Baclofen is sometimes used to treat muscle spasms and other symptoms in people
with injury or disease of the spinal cord.
Major and minor side effects of Baclofen
Fatigue,
Weakness,
Drowsiness,
Dizziness
Skin rash
Constipation
Confusion
Difficult and painful urination
It should be started at low doses and increased gradually based on the response. Do
not stop abruptly due to the risk of seizures and hallucinations.
This medicine may worsen the conditions like schizophrenia depressive or manic
disorders, confusional states or Parkinson's disease.
The concentration of this medicine may increase in patients with kidney disease.
Ovarian cysts were found in patients being treated with this medicine for up to one
year and disappeared later.