Can you take 1200 mg of gabapentin?

In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “Can you take 1200 mg of gabapentin?”. Gabapentin is a gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog and is used for a number of conditions. 

However, this medicine can cause a number of side effects at higher doses. This blog will cover the safety and efficacy of 1200mg of gabapentin. 

Can you take 1200mg gabapentin?

Yes, you can take 1200mg gabapentin. In fact, you can take doses even higher than 1200mg if prescribed by your healthcare provider. Gabapentin can be used at doses as high as 1800mg. However, it should not exceed any further. 

The 1200mg can be divided into three 400mg doses per day, or two 600mg doses. Higher doses are generally not consumed all at once and they are divided to be taken in different intervals. Always look out for unusual side effects. 

Gabapentin is a gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog. Gabapentin mimics the actions of GABA, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. GABA works by inhibiting the excessive neuronal firing in the brain. It is generally not tolerated well and is not a friendly drug. 

What is the clinical significance of 1200mg gabapentin? 

1200mg gabapentin can be used for the treatment and management of the following health conditions:

Convulsions 

Gabapentin is used for the prevention and treatment of partial seizures. It can also be used in children above 3 years of age and in elderly patients as well. It may not suit some people, but overall it is considered a very good medication in order to relieve some epileptic symptoms. 

Nerve pain associated with shingles

Shingles is associated with terrible nerve pain that can be controlled by gabapentin. It is caused by the chickenpox virus that can stay dormant in you for a long, long time. 

This virus remains inactivated, but becomes active either because of compromised immunity or excess stress. This is indeed a very painful condition and some experts have related this pain to the pain that is caused by an actual heart attack. 

Restless Leg syndrome 

Gabapentin can also be used for the treatment, prevention and management of Restless leg syndrome. It manages the excessive and involuntary movements associated with this condition by controlling the excessive neuronal activity in your brain. 

Anxiety

Gabapentin is also used to treat anxiety because of its inhibitory mechanism of action. It is a GABA analog, as stated earlier, and can mimic the actions of this inhibitory neurotransmitter. 

Anxiety occurs because of the excessive neuronal firing in your brain. Gabapentin controls this excessive neuronal activity and helps to tone down the symptoms of anxiety.

Sciatica 

Gabapentin is also used for the pain associated with sciatica. Sciatica is the throbbing pain that originates from your sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve starts from your lower back and its branches run along the length of your legs and your buttocks. 

Sciatic pain is known to be so severe that it can easily affect your everyday life activities. Gabapentin can take up to 2-4 weeks to help relieve the pain associated with sciatica. 

However, it starts to relieve some of the psychological symptoms like insomnia or inability to sleep and the drug will start controlling your anxiety within a few days. 

Fibromyalgia 

Gabapentin can also be used for the treatment and management of fibromyalgia. It is characterised with the unbearable pain that affects your entire body. 

It can get so bad that most patients are unable to fall asleep or perform their everyday life activities normally. This persistent pain can give rise to depression and erratic behaviour. 

Such people also become more sensitive to other kinds of pain as compared to people who don’t have fibromyalgia. Gabapentin can be used at much higher doses than 1200mg for the management of fibromyalgia. 

What are the recommended doses of gabapentin? 

Following are the recommended doses of gabapentin:

Epilepsy 

• For adults and children above 12 years of age: The treatment is usually started from 300 mg usually three times per day, taken usually at morning or whatever time is suggested by your healthcare provider. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 1800 mg/day. 

• For children younger than 13 years of age and older than 3 years of age: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight. It is usually 10-15mg per kg of body weight. 

Children younger than 3 years of age: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight. 

Neuropathic pain

• For adults: The treatment is usually started from 300 mg usually three times per day, taken usually at morning or whatever time is suggested by your healthcare provider. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 1800 mg/day. 

• Children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

The proper administration of gabapentin is necessary to ensure the better management of your illness. If you fail to understand how to use the drug properly or have any other question, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

In case of overdose, immediately reach out to the hospital. Make sure you properly guide them about how much drug you have taken and when. If you have missed a dose and you’re way past the usual time at which you take your med, do not take it. 

It will cause you to overdose when you take your next dose, which is not too far away. It’s better to skip the missed dose and take the next one. If you remember your missed dose earlier, it’s safe for you to take it.

What are the side effects associated with the use of gabapentin? 

Gabapentin is associated with some side effects. These include:

• Xerostomia or dry mouth 
• Weight gain 
• Dizziness 
• Somnolence
• Swollen hands and feet
• Headache
• Vision problems 
• Cloudy mind
• Fatigue
• Tremors 
• Confusion
• Joint pain 
• Difficulty in remembering things
• Abdominal pain 
• Unsteadiness
• Muscle twitching 
• Constipation 
• Back pain
• Increased appetite 
• Fever

Gabapentin can cause some serious side effects. These include:

• Suicidal behavior 
• Impaired motor coordination 
• Thrombocytopenia or decreased levels of platelets
• Water retention
• Rhabdomyolysis, a condition associated with abnormal breakdown of muscles
• Convulsions 
• Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.
• Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 

These side effects can vary from person to person. It is impossible to predict how your body will react once it is exposed to this medication. Some people get away with mild side effects, while others suffer terribly. 

The muscle and joint pain in some people get so bad that it ends up affecting their normal life activities. 

Some people get severely affected and develop some of the serious, rare and disturbing side effects that can linger around for much longer even after the discontinuation of your treatment. 

Immediately talk to your healthcare provider if you experience unusual side effects while taking gabapentin. Do not recommend this drug to someone else and use it as long as your doctor has advised. 

Inform your doctor if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive. It is extremely important to ensure safety of your meds during your pregnancy. Some meds can cross placenta and are capable of causing unwanted side effects in the growing fetus. 

Inform your doctor if you’re a breastfeeding mother. Gabapentin may be capable of passing into the breastmilk and may cause side effects in newborns. 

Do not stop gabapentin abruptly. If it’s time for you to stop this med, your doctor will simply recommend a taper schedule for you, which should be followed vigilantly if you wish to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. 

Make sure you use this medication or any other medication only when your doctor has advised it. Using medications which can affect your brain is not something ideal and should not be encouraged unless it is absolutely necessary to do so. 

Make sure you discuss everything in detail with your healthcare provider and ask if you’re at the best possible dose of gabapentin. Also inform your doctor if you’re taking any other medication. 

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed the significance of 1200mg gabapentin. You can actually take doses even higher than 1200mg if prescribed by your healthcare provider. Gabapentin can be used at doses as high as 1800mg. 

However, it should not exceed any further. The 1200mg can be divided into three 400mg doses per day, or two 600mg doses. Higher doses are generally not consumed all at once and they are divided to be taken in different intervals. 

Make sure you discuss everything in detail with your healthcare provider and ask if you’re at the best possible dose of gabapentin. Also inform your doctor if you’re taking any other medication. 

FAQs: 1200mg gabapentin 

Can I take 1200 mg of gabapentin?

Yes, you can take 1200mg gabapentin. In fact, you can take doses even higher than 1200mg if prescribed by your healthcare provider. Gabapentin can be used at doses as high as 1800mg. However, it should not exceed any further. The 1200mg can be divided into three 400mg doses per day, or two 600mg doses.

Is 1200mg of gabapentin a lot?

1200 is not usually considered a lot. For adults, the treatment is usually started from 300 mg usually three times per day, taken usually at morning or whatever time is suggested by your healthcare provider. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 1800 mg/day. 

What does 1200 mg of gabapentin do?

1200mg gabapentin can be used for the treatment and management of the following health conditions:

• Gabapentin is used for the prevention and treatment of partial seizures. It can also be used in children above 3 years of age and in elderly patients as well.
• Shingles is associated with terrible nerve pain that can be controlled by gabapentin.
• Gabapentin is also used for the pain associated with sciatica. Sciatica is the throbbing pain that originates from your sciatic nerve.
• Gabapentin can also be used for the treatment and management of fibromyalgia.

Can I take 1500 mg of gabapentin?

Yes, you can take 1500mg gabapentin if your healthcare provider prescribes it. In fact, you can take doses even higher than 1500mg if prescribed by your healthcare provider. Gabapentin can be used at doses as high as 1800mg. However, it should not exceed any further.

Can you take gabapentin forever?

The duration of your treatment with gabapentin depends on the severity of your condition and how well you can tolerate this medication. Some people can not stand the long-term treatment because of the disturbing side effects, whereas others can function really well with this medication and they can use it for years. 

References 

• Gabriel C Quintero – Review about gabapentin misuse, interactions, contraindications and side effects and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5308580/
• Gabapentin https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/21561-gabapentin
• Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms, Signs & Side Effects https://americanaddictioncenters.org/neurontin-abuse/gabapentin-cause-withdrawal-symptoms
• National Library of Medicine – Gabapentin https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a694007.html