How Does Neurontin Work?
Neurontin belongs
to a group of drugs called anticonvulsants.
This is because it is used to treat seizures,
epilepsy and herpes zoster or shingles. How
it exactly works is not clearly known, however
what is known is that Neurontin’s active
ingredient gabapentin is related to the brain
chemical gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Brain cells need to work at a certain
rate to function normally. However during a
seizure, brain cells work much more rapidly
than normal. Neurontin works to prevent brain
cells from working quickly during a seizure;
and in this way, seizures can be stopped just
as they are beginning. Neurontin probably causes
brain cells to make more of the chemical GABA
that stops brain cells from working fast.
This medicine cannot cure epilepsy;
it only works to control seizures for as long
as you continue to take it. It is imperative
that you take Neurontin only as directed by
your doctor. Do not take more or less of it
than your doctor has prescribed. When taking
Neurontin 3 times a day, do not allow more than
12 hours to pass between any 2 doses.
Neurontin treats seizures that
begin in a limited area of the brain, these
are called partial seizures. Some of seizures
also spread throughout the brain, and are called
secondarily generalized seizures. Neurontin
does not prevent or treat seizures that begin
on both sides of the brain, called primary generalized
seizures.
Neurontin generally is very well
tolerated and one it has a very low incidence
of interacting with other medications including
the other routinely employed anti-seizure drugs.
Common side effects tend to be: fatigue, drowsiness,
dizziness, and balance difficulties. As Neurontin
is a prescription medication, only a doctor
can decide if it is best or appropriate fro
you.
A relatively safe drug, Neurontin
appears have no interactions with other drugs.
However, Neurontin should be taken at least
2 hours before taking any antacid such as Maalox.
However this drug may interfere with the reading
of N- Multistix in detecting urine protein.
Neurontin has few side effects,
and is mostly well tolerated in adults. Side
effects include; sleepiness, dizziness, fatigue
and balancing problems. In children however
Neurontin needs to be administered carefully
as it can some times causes behavioral problems
like; hyperactivity, irritability and hostility.
Do not take this dug if you are
pregnant or breast feeding as Neurontin can
cause birth defects.
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