Gabapentin for epilepsy

Examples

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Brand Name	Chemical Name
Neurontin	gabapentin

Gabapentin requires several daily doses and comes in capsules and pills.

How It Works

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It is not known exactly how gabapentin prevents seizures.

Why It Is Used

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Gabapentin may be used alone or combined with other antiepileptic medications to control partial seizures in adults and in children age 3 and older.^{1, 2}

How Well It Works

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Gabapentin can reduce the frequency of seizures by more than 50%.¹ Although it is not as effective as other new epilepsy drugs, it may have fewer side effects. Gabapentin has not been shown to be effective for treating primary generalized seizures or childhood absence seizures.

Side Effects

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Gabapentin is a well-tolerated drug that usually causes only mild side effects. These often go away within 1 to 2 weeks and include:

• Dizziness.
• Drowsiness and fatigue.
• Headache.
• Sedation.
• Weight gain.
• Foot swelling.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

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Cost

Gabapentin is expensive.

Other concerns

For some people, gabapentin may produce side effects or carry risks, including an increased risk of birth defects, that are not fully known yet. Report any unexpected side effects or problems to your doctor.

It may take time and careful, controlled adjustments by you and your doctor to find the combination, schedule, and dosing of medication to best manage your epilepsy. The goal is to prevent seizures while causing as few unwanted side effects as possible. Once the most effective medication program is determined, it is important that you follow it exactly as prescribed.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

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Citations

1. Jarrar RG, Buchhalter JR (2003). Therapeutics in pediatric epilepsy, part 1: The new antiepileptic drugs and the ketogenic diet. Mayo Clinical Procedures, 78(3): 359–370.

2. French JA, et al. (2004). Efficacy and tolerability of the new antiepileptic drugs I: Treatment of new onset epilepsy. Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee and Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Neurology, 62(8): 1252–1260.

Credits

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Author	Monica Rhodes
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology
Last Updated	November 11, 2005