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What Are The Side Effects Gabapentin?

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Posted on Sat, 9 May 2015
Question: I was prescribed gabapentin from my doctor for a pinched nerve in my neck which is extremely painful and im concerned about side effects, i find myself reading the side effects with using the medication then talking myself out of taking it , should i be concerned ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You shouldn't

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

every drug may cause side-effects, some of them can be serious, while others are just annoying. Most of them cannot be predicted. The patient just takes the drug and it's only after taking it, that the patient finds out whether the side-effect occurred or not.

Gabapentin has a lot of side-effects. Most of them are just annoying and sometimes dose-dependent. Starting gradually would help you titrate the dose in such a way that you would receive the benefit without significant side-effects. Being afraid of the side-effects when you're in "extreme pain" (I used your words) is not rational.

So in conclusion, the right strategy is to use drugs when the expected benefit outweighs the risks. Severe pain that can't be otherwise managed is a good reason to give it a try!

I hope I've helped!
Contact me again, if you'd like to discuss anything in greater detail.

Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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What Are The Side Effects Gabapentin?

Brief Answer: You shouldn't Detailed Answer: Hello, every drug may cause side-effects, some of them can be serious, while others are just annoying. Most of them cannot be predicted. The patient just takes the drug and it's only after taking it, that the patient finds out whether the side-effect occurred or not. Gabapentin has a lot of side-effects. Most of them are just annoying and sometimes dose-dependent. Starting gradually would help you titrate the dose in such a way that you would receive the benefit without significant side-effects. Being afraid of the side-effects when you're in "extreme pain" (I used your words) is not rational. So in conclusion, the right strategy is to use drugs when the expected benefit outweighs the risks. Severe pain that can't be otherwise managed is a good reason to give it a try! I hope I've helped! Contact me again, if you'd like to discuss anything in greater detail. Kind Regards!