debs asked
I've been taking Gabapentin 300 mg three time daily for maybe 2 weeks. Seemed to be working. I took 2 doses last night the last one at 5 pm. I had not taken the third dose and had woke up with extreme eye pain and nasusa, so refrained from taking. I did notice after about 4-5 hours of taking the prescribed dosage I started feeling terrible pain in my hips. My question is, was the pain I was feeling before taking the second and third dose caused by not taking it soon enough? Now that I read I may feel poorly if stopping it all together. Could that be because I just went from 2 doses to nothing?
At a glance
- Gabapentin lasts between 6 and 8 hours per dose for most people. In general, it needs to be taken consistently for optimal effect
Answer
Neurontin (gabapentin) has a relatively short half-life and duration of action.
The reported half-life (the time it takes for 50% of the drug to be metabolized) is 5 to 7 hours, which necessitates a dosing frequency of 3 to 4 times daily for it to be effective.
Most studies report that gabapentin has a duration of action of 6 to 8 hours. However, it is important to note that for optimal effectiveness, gabapentin should be taken consistently, and not on an 'as needed' basis.
One study reports that gabapentin, when not taken consistently and present in our bodies only for short periods of time, may not be effective.
Intermittent dosing does not allow enough time for the drug to exert its effects. From the study:
References
- Gabapentin dosing for neuropathic pain: evidence from randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. PubMed
- Gabapentin enacarbil – clinical efficacy in restless legs syndrome. PubMed
- A comparison of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of pregabalin and gabapentin. The Lancet
