"Gabapentin" and alcohol: reviews. "Gabapentin": instructions for use, reviews of patients and doctors

From time to time, muscle cramps bother many people. However, few people wonder why such states generally arise.

According to specialists, convulsions can be different: generalized (tonic, clonic, tonic-clonic and myoclonic), as well as partial (simple and complex). To treat the latest seizures use a drug such as "Gabapentin." Instructions for use, reviews and contraindications for this medication will be presented below.

It should immediately be noted that partial seizures are characterized by the absence of loss of consciousness. Such states are single. They are manifested by clonic convulsions, involving the muscles of the hands, feet and face.

Form of release, description, packaging of the preparation and its composition

In what form is the "Gabapentin" medication sold? The patients' comments say that this medicine can be purchased at the pharmacy in the form of hard gelatin capsules of white color. Their contents are a white or yellowish drug powder.

The active ingredient of this drug is gabapentin. It also contains additional substances in the form of sodium carboxymethyl starch, calcium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose. As for the capsules, they contain gelatin and titanium dioxide.

In what packaging is the drug "Gabapentin" sold? Consumer reviews say that on the shelves of pharmacies this medication can be found in cardboard packs, to which are placed either polymer cans with capsules or contour cells.

Principle of action of the medicinal product

How does the drug "Gabapentin" work? The instruction (the drug reviews are presented at the end of the article) reports that this drug is very similar in structure to the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (abbreviated GABA). However, it should be noted that its principle of action is fundamentally different from other drugs that interact with GABA receptors (for example, valproic acid, barbiturates, benzodiazepine, GABA transaminase inhibitors, GABA capture inhibitors, GABA agonists and prodrugs of GABA).

The drug in question has no GABA properties and does not affect the capture and metabolism of GABA. Studies of specialists have shown that the active substance of this agent, binding to the α2-δ-subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels, significantly reduces the flow of calcium ions, which play a major role in the occurrence of neuropathic pain.

Features of anticonvulsant medication

What other properties does the drug "Gabapentin" have? The doctors say that it is very effective for neuropathic pain. The administration of this drug reduces glutamate-dependent neuronal death, increases the synthesis of GABA, as well as the process of suppression and release of the neurotransmitters of the monoamine group.

It should also be noted that in clinically significant concentrations, the drug "Gabapentin" does not bind to receptors of other drugs (or neurotransmitters), including GABA and GABAA receptors, as well as glutamate, benzodiazepine receptors, glycine and N-methyl-D- Aspartate.

In contrast to "Carbamazepine" and "Phenytoin", the drug in question does not interact with sodium channels. The drug "Gabapentin" partially attenuates the effects of such a glutamate receptor agonist, such as N-methyl-D-aspartate. Moreover, it slightly reduces the release of monoamine neurotransmitters.

Kinetic properties of the preparation

What are the kinetic characteristics of the Gabapentin capsules? The patient's feedback will not be able to answer this question. To find it, you need to contact an experienced technician or the attached instructions.

According to the latter, the bioavailability of the drug is not proportional to the dosage taken. With an increase in the amount of the drug, it decreases.

After taking the medication inside, the maximum concentration in the plasma is noted after 3 hours. Absolute bioavailability of the drug in capsules is approximately 60%. Food, including very fatty, has no effect on the kinetics of the drug.

The withdrawal of "Gabapentin" from the patient's blood is carried out according to the linear model. The half-life of the drug does not depend on the dose taken and is about 5-7 hours.

The kinetic properties of the medicament do not change even when it is repeated. Concentration of the drug in the blood can be predicted, based on the results of its single administration.

The drug "Gabapentin" practically does not bind to plasma proteins (less than 3%). It is excreted unchanged by means of the kidneys.

Metabolism is not medicated. Moreover, it does not induce oxidative liver enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of other drugs.

The clearance of this drug from the blood is reduced in elderly patients and people with impaired renal function.

The drug "Gabapentin" is removed from the body by means of hemodialysis.

Indications for taking medication

At what diseases is the drug we are treating particularly effective? What do the reviews say about this?

"Gabapentin" is good at:

• Neuropathic pain in adult patients (18 years and older);
• Monotherapy or as an additional drug for the treatment of partial seizures, accompanied by secondary generalization in adults and adolescents with 12 years.

Contraindications to taking medication

What are the contraindications for the drug "Gabapentin"? Testimonials on the application report that it adversely affects the body if the medication was taken at:

• Hypersensitivity to any of the substances;
• Partial seizures before the age of 12 years.

With special care this drug is prescribed for kidney failure.

How should I take the medicine "Gabapentin"?

Reviews (with neuralgia this remedy helps very well) say that this drug should be prescribed only by an experienced doctor, after setting the correct diagnosis.

Gelatine capsules are taken orally, swallowing them in whole form. Use the drug should be regardless of food, plenty of it with a liquid. If you want to lower the dosage, cancel the medication or replace it with an analog, then it should be done gradually, for one week.

Treatment of neuropathic pain in adults

How is the drug treated under this condition? What do doctors say about this? "Gabapentin" is very effective in neuropathic pain. When treating this condition, the initial daily dose of the drug should be 900 mg. The indicated amount is divided into three steps. If required, the dose is gradually increased to a maximum (i.e., up to 3600 mg per day).

Partial cramps

How in this disease should you take the medicine "Gabapentin"? Reviews say that this tool can be prescribed not only for adults, but also for adolescents from 12 years of age.

The effective dose for partial seizures is considered to be 900-2400 mg per day. Therapy of this disease can be started with 300 mg of the drug three times a day. In the future, the daily dose should be increased to 900 mg, and then to 2,400 mg per day (divided into three equal doses).

The time interval between doses of the drug at its triple admission should not be more than 12 hours (in order to avoid the resumption of seizures).

Adverse events

What adverse reactions can occur when taking an anticonvulsant? What do consumers say about this? "Gabapentin" in the treatment of neuropathic pain can cause:

• Asthenia, accidental trauma, pain of different localization, back pain, infection, flu-like syndrome, headache, weight gain, peripheral edema;
• Gait disturbance, ataxia, amnesia, hypoesthesia, confusion, dizziness, disturbed thinking, drowsiness, tremor;
• Constipation, flatulence, diarrhea, vomiting, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea, abdominal pain;
• Rash on the skin;
• Shortness of breath, pharyngitis;
• Amblyopia.

In the treatment of partial seizures, this medication contributes to the appearance of:

• Pain in the back, fatigue, fever, headache, viral infection, peripheral edema, weight gain, asthenia, malaise, edema of the face;
• Constipation, dental diseases, diarrhea, dyspepsia, increased appetite, dry mouth or throat, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, flatulence, anorexia, gingivitis;
• Symptoms of vasodilation or hypertension;
• Leukopenia, purpura;
• Fractures, myalgia and arthralgia;
• Amnesia, ataxia, confusion, impaired coordination, depression, dysarthria, emotional lability, insomnia, nervousness, nystagmus, drowsiness, disturbance of thinking, tremor, muscle twitching, dizziness, hyperkinesia; Strengthening, weakening or lack of reflexes, anxiety, paresthesia, hostility;
• Abrasions, acne, skin itching, skin rashes;
• Cough, pharyngitis, rhinitis, pneumonia;
• Amblyopia, diplopia, visual impairment;
• Urinary tract infections, impotence.

Cases of overdose

What symptoms of overdose can cause this medication? What do the reviews say about this? "Gabapentin" in case of an overdose causes double vision, dizziness, drowsiness, speech disturbance, lethargy and diarrhea.

To eliminate these conditions, symptomatic therapy is carried out, and the affected stomach is washed and the activated charcoal is given to it.

Patients with severe renal insufficiency are shown hemodialysis.

The drug "Gabapentin" and alcohol

Experts say that the effectiveness of the medicine in question is very high. But this is only if during the period of its use the patient completely abandoned the use of alcoholic beverages.

If this drug is combined with alcohol, then the patient may significantly increase the side reactions from the central nervous system (stun, ataxia and others).

Drug Interactions

The drug "Gabapentin" in neurology, reviews about which are more positive in nature, can not be combined with all medicines.

According to the instructions, antacids reduce the bioavailability of this drug.

Myelotoxic drugs increase the hematotoxicity of capsules "Gabapentin".

When combined with morphine, its pharmacokinetics do not change. However, with this combination, it is necessary to monitor the likely side effects from the nervous system.

The drug may be taken concomitantly with antiepileptic drugs (for example, "Phenobarbital", "Carbamazepine", "Phenytoin" and valproic acid) and oral contraceptives. At the same time, its kinetics does not change.

Special Recommendations

Despite the fact that the withdrawal syndrome with the occurrence of seizures with the therapy of "Gabapentin" was not noted, a sharp cessation of treatment with antiepileptic medicines in people with partial seizures can still provoke the onset of severe seizures.

The medication in question is not an effective remedy to combat absense-epilepsy.

People who require complex therapy with morphine may need an increased dose of "gabapentin." In this case, it is necessary to ensure constant monitoring of the patient's condition for the development of drowsiness. When it is detected, the dose of medicines should be adequately reduced.

When Gabapentin was combined with other anticonvulsants , false positive results were recorded in the process of determining the protein in the urine using Ames N-Multistix SG test strips. In this regard, for such studies, it is recommended to use a more specific method of precipitation by means of sulfosalicylic acid.

Feedback from specialists and consumers

Most reviews of doctors and patients about the drug "Gabapentin" are positive. In their reports, it is said that this medication effectively cope with the task. However, when it is combined with alcohol, serious side reactions from the nervous system often develop.

It should also be noted that the abrupt reversal of this drug can cause dull consciousness, lethargy and a bad mood in patients.

Many people note that against the background of taking this medication they have depression and suicidal thoughts. Also, the medication very often causes the development of acute pancreatitis.

Experts recommend that the drug "Gabapentin" be administered only under the supervision of a doctor who, if necessary, can quickly adjust the therapy regimen.