30 Sec Answer: It typically takes 1 to 2 hours for gabapentin to kick in.
How Long Does it Take for Gabapentin to Kick In?
Gabapentin is a medication used to treat seizure disorders, postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain from shingles), and other conditions. It’s also used off-label for various types of chronic pain, migraine prevention, hot flashes, and even as an antidepressant augmentation agent. Since it can take some time for the effects of this medication to be felt, many people wonder how long it will take for gabapentin to kick in.
In this article, we’ll discuss what gabapentin is, how long it typically takes to work, what factors can influence its onset of action, possible side effects associated with its use, and important safety considerations.
What Is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs. It works by stabilizing abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can lead to seizures or nerve pain. It’s available under the brand names Neurontin and Gralise and is prescribed off-label for various types of chronic pain and other conditions.
How Long Does it Take For Gabapentin To Kick In?
It typically takes 1 to 2 hours for gabapentin to start working. However, peak levels of the drug in your body may not be reached until 4 to 6 hours after taking it. Some people may find relief within 30 minutes while others may need up to 3 hours before they begin feeling better.
What Factors Can Influence Its Onset Of Action?
There are several factors that can influence how quickly gabapentin begins working. These include:
- The form you take: immediate-release tablets tend to work faster than extended-release capsules or tablets.
- Your dosage: higher doses generally have a more rapid onset of action than lower doses.
- Other medications you’re taking: if you’re taking any other medications along with gabapentin, these could affect its absorption rate and ultimately impact when you begin feeling better.
- Food intake: eating food at the same time as you take gabapentin can slow down its absorption rate and make it take longer for it to kick in.
Possible Side Effects Associated With Its Use
Although gabapentin is generally well tolerated by most people who take it, there are some potential side effects associated with its use such as dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, blurred vision, unsteadiness when walking or standing up, headache, tremor (shaking), increased appetite, dry mouth or thirstiness , confusion or difficulty thinking clearly , restlessness or agitation , swelling of hands or feet , fever , abdominal discomfort or bloating , itching , sweating , changes in sex drive or performance , skin rash , weakness or tiredness , excessive tiredness during sleep (sleep apnea) . Talk with your doctor if any of these symptoms become severe or persist beyond a few days of starting treatment.
Important Safety Considerations
Before taking gabapentin, tell your doctor about all your medical history including any allergies you may have; any current prescription medicines you’re taking; any over-the-counter drugs or supplements; whether you drink alcohol regularly; whether you smoke cigarettes; if you’ve ever had kidney problems; and if you’ve ever had thoughts about suicide or depression. Also let them know if you’re pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant soon because the safety of this drug during pregnancy has not been established yet . Additionally , talk with your doctor before breastfeeding while using this medicine since certain drugs may pass into breast milk . Finally , avoid operating machinery or driving until you know how gabapentin affects you as it can cause dizziness and drowsiness .
Conclusion
To sum up, Gabapentin is a medication used to treat seizure disorders, postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain from shingles), and other conditions. It typically takes 1 to 2 hours for gabapentin to start working but peak levels may not be reached until 4 to 6 hours after taking it. There are several factors that can influence how quickly it kicks in such as dosage size, other medications taken concurrently with it, form taken (tablet vs capsule), and food intake around the time of administration . Common side effects associated with its use include dizziness , drowsiness , nausea , vomiting , constipation , blurred vision etc . Be sure to talk with your doctor about your full medical history prior to beginning treatment .