Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication that doctors

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication that doctors often prescribe to prevent seizures in people with epilepsy. It is not a cure for epilepsy, but it can help people manage the condition. Gabapentin is generally safe, but it can cause side effects, some of which may require medical attention.
In this article, we look at the potential side effects of gabapentin and whether or not they differ between men and women. We also cover when to see a doctor.

What is gabapentin?
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication that doctors prescribe as an epilepsy treatment to prevent partial seizures.
Gabapentin cannot cure epilepsy, but it helps the brain prevent seizures. This drug can also act as a pain reliever for various conditions that affect the nervous system, such as postherpetic neuralgia, a pain that occurs due to shingles.
However, doctors do not prescribe gabapentin to treat arthritis pain or acute pain that results from minor injuries.
Gabapentin is only available with a doctor’s prescription, and it comes in the following forms:
•capsule
•tablet
•solution
•suspension
Common side effects
Gabapentin is a fairly safe medication when people take it according to a doctor’s instructions. However, some people may experience side effects.
Common side effects that generally do not require medical attention include:
◦blurred vision
◦cold or flu-like symptoms
◦delusions
◦dementia
◦hoarseness
◦lack or loss of strength
◦pain in the lower back or side
◦swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs
◦trembling or shaking
Common side effects that do require medical attention include:
◦back-and-forth or rolling eye movements that are continuous and uncontrolled
◦unsteadiness
Gabapentin can cause different side effects in children that may require medical attention. These include:
◦aggressive behavior or other behavioral problems
◦anxiety
◦change in school performance
◦concentration problems
◦crying
◦depression
◦distrust
◦false sense of well-being
◦hyperactivity or increase in body movements
◦rapidly changing moods
◦reacting too quickly or overreacting
◦restlessness
Long-term effects
According to the authors of a 2010 study paper, people with preexisting kidney disease may experience potentially fatal toxicity when taking gabapentin.
Gabapentin may cause other long-term effects, including memory loss, weakened muscles, and respiratory failure.
Other side effects of gabapentin occur less frequently but may still affect some people.
Rare side effects that are unlikely to need medical attention include:
◾a sore throat
◾black stools
◾chest pain
◾chills
◾coughing
◾depression, irritability, or other mood changes
◾fever
◾memory loss
◾pain or swelling in the legs or arms
◾painful or difficult urination
◾shortness of breath
◾sores, white spots, or ulcers on the lips or in the mouth
◾swollen glands
◾unusual bleeding or bruising
◾unusual tiredness or weakness
Side effects that require medical attention include:
◾a feeling of warmth or heat
◾a runny nose
◾accidental injury
◾an earache
◾back pain
◾bloating
◾body aches or pain
◾breath that smells fruity
◾burning, dry, or itchy eyes
◾changes in vision
◾clumsiness or unsteadiness
◾congestion
◾constipation
◾coughing that produces mucus
◾decreased sexual desire or ability
◾difficulty breathing
◾difficulty swallowing
◾dry skin
◾dryness of the mouth or throat
◾ears ringing
◾excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
◾excessive tearing of the eyes
◾eye discharge
◾feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded
◾flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
◾frequent urination
◾higher sensitivity to pain and touch
◾impaired vision
◾increased appetite
◾increased thirst
◾indigestion
◾lack of coordination
◾pain, redness, rash, swelling, or bleeding in areas where the skin rubs
◾passing gas
◾problems with walking and balance
◾redness or swelling in the ear
◾redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
◾sleep problems
◾sneezing
◾sweating
◾tender, swollen glands in the neck
◾tightness in the chest
◾tingling in the hands and feet
◾trouble processing thoughts
◾twitching
◾unexplained weight loss
◾voice changes
◾vomiting
◾weakness or loss of strength
◾weight gain