Gabapentin is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant. It affects chemicals and nerves in the body that are involved in the cause of seizures and some types of pain.

Gabapentin is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat seizures caused by epilepsy in adults and children who are at least 12 years old. Gabapentin is also used with other medications to treat partial seizures in children who are 3 to 12 years old.

Gabapentin is also used in adults to treat nerve pain caused by herpes virus or shingles (herpes zoster), and to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Gabapentin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to gabapentin.

Before taking gabapentin, tell your doctor if you have kidney, liver, or heart disease.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking gabapentin. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, depression, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Do not stop taking gabapentin for seizures without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using gabapentin suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking gabapentin.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take gabapentin. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you take seizure medication.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to gabapentin.

To make sure you can safely take gabapentin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• heart disease; or

• (for patients with RLS) if you are a day sleeper or work a night shift.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether gabapentin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Gabapentin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.