Sandy asked
Can you take gabapentin and Tylenol together? I want to make sure they are safe.
Answer
Gabapentin (brand name Neurontin) is an anticonvulsant used to treat seizures, post-herpetic neuralgia (complication of shingles) and other conditions. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is an analgesic used for the treatment of pain and fever. Both medications can be taken together and there is no interaction between the them.
Gabapentin Information
Gabapentin is an anti-convulsant that works directly on nerves. It affects chemicals and nerves in the body to treat seizures and certain types of pain like nerve pain like diabetic neuropathy or post-herpetic pain caused by the herpes or shingles virus (herpes zoster).
While gabapentin is classified as an anticonvulsant used in the treatment of seizures and post-herpetic neuralgia, it is often used for off-label treatment of other conditions. Off-label use is when a drug is used for an unapproved indication and has not been approved by the FDA for that indication. Off-label uses of gabapentin include:
- Treatment of alcohol dependence
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Chronic cough
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Fibromyalgia
- Hiccups
- Hot flashes
- Neuropathic pain
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
- Social anxiety disorder
- Uremic pruritus- Chronic itching in patients with advanced renal disease
Tylenol Information
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is most commonly use in the treatment of pain or fever. Tylenol (acetaminophen) has been associated with acute liver failure. Doses should not exceed 4 grams daily in adults. Be careful when combining with other medications that contain acetaminophen so as to not exceed the 4 grams maximum daily dose. Caution should also be used in patients with renal (kidney) impairment, hepatic (liver) impairment, chronic malnutrition, dehydration and alcoholic liver disease.
Summary
There are no known interactions between gabapentin and Tylenol (acetaminophen). It is considered safe to take both medications together. As Tylenol and gabapentin treat different types of pain, it is not uncommon to use both together.
