GABAPENTIN,NORTRIPTYLINE

Background and Date of Approval

Gabapentin + Nortriptyline is approved for medical use in the management of neuropathic pain, which occurs due to damaged or injured nerves.

Uses

It is used to treat neuropathic pain (pain in damaged nerves), epilepsy, peripheral neuropathic pain.

How is it administered?

The medicine will be administered in the vein (intravenous) by the doctor. It is available as a 400mg tablet. Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

Side Effects

Some of the common side effects of Gabapentin + nortriptyline Fever and chills, along with mouth or skin blisters, stomach ache, feeling drowsy, dizziness, lack of coordination, and tiredness, are also common symptoms. In addition, some individuals may experience low white blood cell counts, increased appetite, nervousness, blurred vision, double vision, vertigo, high blood pressure, or flushing. Other symptoms could involve difficulty breathing, bronchitis, sore throat, cough, dry nose, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, joint pain, and swelling in the legs and arms. Report your doctor immediately, if you experience any allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, rash, itching, hives, and swelling in the lips, tongue, or face, Fever and chills, along with mouth or skin blisters, stomach ache.

Warnings

Consult your doctor if you are allergic to Gabapentin or nortriptyline, any of the ingredients present in it. Inform your doctor immediately if you have Anaphylaxis or allergic reaction (serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction including difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, throat, and tongue, and hypotension requiring emergency treatment).

Precautions

Inform your doctor if you have a heart or kidney, persistent stomach pain, thyroid, diabetes, high blood pressure, or prostate problem before taking the medicine. Elderly patients with kidney disorders must inform their doctor of dosage adjustments to avoid undesirable effects. Consult your doctor if you are planning to get pregnant or think you may be pregnant or while you are breastfeeding.

Word of Advice

Inform your doctor before undergoing blood or urine tests; gabapentin + nortriptyline may interfere with test results. Advise your doctor if you have lactose intolerance or allergies to any sugar. Inform your doctor if you have respiratory or nerve problems. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe skin reaction, persistent stomach pain, or breathing difficulty. This medication may impair driving ability; exercise caution when driving or operating machinery.

References

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Europe Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [Revised on Jan 2023], [Accessed on 26th Sep 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.9543.pdf Focus Pharmaceuticals Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [Revised on n November 2021], [Accessed on 26th Sep 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2425.pdf Mallinckrodt Inc., US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), [Accessed on 27th Sept 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/018013s58lbl.pdf Pfizer Inc., US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), [Revised on October 2017], [Accessed on 27th Sept 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/020235s064_020882s047_021129s046lbl.pdf KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Drugs acting on central nervous system, 2019, 446-496, 486-496.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I inform my doctor while taking Gabapentin + nortriptyline?

Talk to your doctor before going for a blood or urine test; Gabapentin + nortriptyline might interfere with the result of the patient.

Can I drive when I take Gabapentin + nortriptyline?

It is recommended to avoid driving when you take the medicine, as it can cause drowsiness. Consult your doctor before driving.

Can an elderly individual safely take Gabapentin + nortriptyline?

The elderly are more likely to develop infections than the general population, so it is important to be cautious and consult your doctor before taking the medicine.

What is the precaution I need to take while taking Gabapentin + nortriptyline in children?

Inform your doctor if you have a heart or kidney, persistent stomach pain, thyroid, diabetes, high blood pressure, or prostate problem before taking the medicine.

Can I take a vaccination while under Gabapentin + nortriptyline medication?

Elderly patients with kidney disorders must inform their doctor of dosage adjustments to avoid undesirable effects.

Written By: Muskan Patel, M.Pharm

Reviewed By: Dr. Vishwa Patel, MBBS