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How Should I take Gabapentin? Can I take Gabapentin by day and lyrica at Night?

Take gabapentin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Warnings of Taking Gabapentin

Gabapentin can cause life-threatening breathing problems, especially if you already have a breathing disorder or if you use other medicines that can make you drowsy or slow your breathing. Seek emergency medical attention if you have very slow breathing.

Some people have thoughts about suicide or behavior changes while taking gabapentin. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how gabapentin will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Do not stop using gabapentin suddenly, even if you feel fine.

The Horizant brand of gabapentin should not be taken during the day. For best results, take Horizant withfood at about 5:00 in the evening.

Both Gralise and Horizant should be taken with food.

Neurontin can be taken with or without food.

gabapentin-actavis-600mgIf you break a Neurontin tablet and take only half of it, take the other half at your next dose. Any tablet that has been broken should be used as soon as possible or within a few days.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

If your doctor changes your brand, strength, or type of gabapentin, your dosage needs may change.Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the new kind of gabapentin you receive at the pharmacy.

Do not stop using gabapentin suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor’s instructions about tapering your dose.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take gabapentin. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you take seizure medication.

Gabapentin can cause you to have a false positive urine protein screening test. If you provide a urine sample for testing, tell the laboratory staff that you are taking gabapentin.

Store tablets and capsules at room temperature away from light and moisture.

Store the liquid medicine in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Be sure to take the medicine with food. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking gabapentin?

This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid taking an antacid within 2 hours before or after you take gabapentin. Antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb gabapentin.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Can I take gabapentin by day and lyrica at night?

I have taken Lyrica starting at 75mg and now up to 150mg twice a day for just over a year now. I decided to try find a less expensive alternative and Gabapentin was recommended by a pharmacist. I am not a diabetic, but I’ve had spinal fusion twice, 10 years and 1year ago. Now I suffer with peripheral neuropathy and my right foot is basically crippled with Charcot foot. I’ve gone from playing tennis, running and biking 2 years ago to barely walking by myself.

I found that Lyrica seemed to help take away the “buzzing” in my right leg and foot so I could sleep at night, but is soooo expensive (now that the deductibles have to be met again). I haven’t had the weight gain problem that others mention, but I do think it makes me more tired and off balance a bit. I have tried Gabapentin for the last tword days and am finding it not working at the low dose the doctor has me on… just 300my once a day. I have upped it to 3xs a day because I was hurting so badly. I keep waking get up in the night sweating and then not, and my right leg is “buzzing” again.

Any advice for me?? I hate being in pain, but I HATE taking pills. I am 51 and wanted to do so much more… it sucks getting old! Should I just keep taking the Lyrica, or should I give the Gabapentin longer to work? Does it take a while to get into the system? Can I take lyrica and gabapentin alternating … one during the day and Lyrica at bedtime, I often have to add taking an Ibuprofen 400-800mg to help with the pain in my back and right leg. Any thoughts??

I have been on Lyrica for 10yrs.now (that speaks for itself)! I see my Rheumatologist every 6 month for evaluation. Yes, it is expensive, but superior to Gabapentin when it comes to nerve pain! I get my Lyrica from Pfizer (the manufacturer for free). Ten yrs. ago I applied with “Patient Assistance Program”. In order to get the drug you have to meet the income guideline, which for 1 person in the household is $48,000.00 a yr. If you are over that limit… you do not qualify! I just spoke with Pfizer regarding refill for Lyrica & they will send it to me via Express Mail. You also, need to reapply & fill out a new application every yr. My dosage of Lyrica in the beginning was 100mg (25mg in the morning, 25 in the afternoon & 50mg at bedtime. Just recently, my Rheumatologist upped it 150mg a day.

Yes, it makes you tired & gives you brain fog! Doctor informed me it is either one or the other (gabapentin or Lyrica) not both. His comment was that Lyrica is more effective then gabapentin and my pharmacist agreed as well! I suffer from severe lumbar & cervical stenosis and Fibromyalgia. Seeing a Pain management Specialist this week for a consultation on what else can be done. I hope that I’ve been of assistance to you… feel free to post other questions!