Neurontin (chemically gabapentin), is a very effective drug in management of neuropathic pains like diabetic neuropathy, post-herpatic neuralgia and many other conditions. As for almost every medicine, gabapentin also have some side effects, when such effects appear, a patient taking gabapentin should consult his treating physician.
Neurontin side effects are categorized as
- Serious side effects
- Most common side effects
- Less common side effects
- Rare side effects
Serious side effects of Neurontin (gabapentin)
The most serious side effects of Neurontin that warrant discontinuation of drug are
- Allergic reaction
Manifestations of allergic reaction may be skin rash, hives, itching or life threatening anaphylactic reaction that includes swelling of lips or throat and difficulty in breathing - Depression
- Suicidal thoughts or tendency to make suicidal attempt
- Hostile behavior
- Confusion, severe dizziness or loss of co-ordination (patient tends to fall while walking)
Most common side effects of Neurontin
These side effects are experienced frequently by patients taking Neurontin. They usually need not discontinuation of medicine however physician decides about stopping drug depending upon the severity and patient’s condition.
- Dizziness is the most common side effect among the patients taking Neurontin
- Drowsiness or sleepiness, is second most common side effect in patient using gabapentin
- In-coordination, tendency to fall while walking and also difficulty in performing fine work with hands, is also experienced frequently by patients taking Neurontin
- Chances of infections increase
- Nausea vomiting
- Fever
- Swelling of the body due to fluid retention
- Nystagmus or unusual eye movements
Less common side effects of Neurontin
These side effects occur with less frequency in patients taking gabapentin.
- Diplopia or double vision
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Tremors
- Dryness of mouth
- Sore throat
- Bronchitis(inflammation of bronchi of lungs)
- Hyperactivity
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Nervousness
- Problem with speech
- Changes in weight either increased or decreased
- Changes in appetite
- Dyspepsia
- Hot flushes
- Ear infection
- Red eye or conjunctivitis
- Dyspepsia
- Memory problem
- Accidental injuries, as the patient tend to fall and also feels sleepy
- Hyperglycemia
- Back pain
- Muscle twitching
Rare side effects of Neurontin
These side effects are very rare and according to an estimate they appear in less than 1% of patients taking Neurontin. Due to too low frequency, these are not surely thought to be arising from use of Neurontin.
- Migraines
- High serum cholesterol level
- Weight loss
- Hang-over effect
- Ulcers
- Hemorrhoids
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
- Hiatal hernia
- Reduced sexual drive, ejaculatory and orgasm problems
- Psoriasis
- Sensitivity to skin
- Kidney stones
- Snoring
- Joint pains
A patient taking Nerontin should be vigilant regarding the side effects of this drug, if any new symptom appears, he or she must consult the treating physician.