Can you take Gabapentin on an empty stomach? 

Can you take Gabapentin on an empty stomach? 

Yes, you can take Gabapentin on an empty stomach. It doesn’t really matter whether you have food or not in your stomach when taking Gabapentin. 

However, some people may experience heartburn after taking a dose of this medication. Although this is not a common scenario and it’s more likely to happen to people who have weaker stomachs, it could still feel quite awful. If that’s the case with you, take your medication with food. 

This way the drug will not come directly in contact with the lining of your stomach and food will act as a barrier. If there’s no such complaint in your case, you can safely take Gabapentin on an empty stomach. 

Make sure you take your medication as properly as you can to make the most out of it. If you’re concerned about the side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. 

Potential benefits and risks of taking Gabapentin on an empty stomach

Taking Gabapentin on an empty stomach may have some potential benefits and risks. When taken without food, Gabapentin may be absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream, leading to faster relief from certain conditions, such as nerve pain or seizures. (1,2)

This can be especially helpful for people who need immediate symptom relief. However, there are also risks associated with taking Gabapentin on an empty stomach. It may increase the likelihood of experiencing certain side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, or upset stomach. (3)

Taking Gabapentin with food can help reduce these side effects and make it easier for some people to tolerate the medication.

It’s essential to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on when and how to take Gabapentin to maximize its benefits while minimizing any potential risks. If you have any concerns or experience adverse effects, it’s crucial to discuss them with your healthcare provider.

Important precautions when taking Gabapentin

Some important precautions when taking Gabapentin include:

  • Avoid alcohol and sedatives: Gabapentin can enhance the effects of alcohol and sedatives, leading to increased drowsiness and impaired coordination. It’s best to avoid consuming alcohol and taking sedatives while on Gabapentin.
  • Be cautious with driving and operating machinery: Gabapentin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. It’s important to be cautious when engaging in activities like driving that require alertness or coordination until you know how Gabapentin affects you. (4,5)
  • Report any side effects: If you experience any unusual or severe side effects while taking Gabapentin, such as allergic reactions, changes in mood or behaviour, or worsening of symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
  • Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Inform your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. The safety of Gabapentin during pregnancy and breastfeeding should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

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References

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Goa KL, Sorkin EM. Gabapentin. A review of its pharmacological properties and clinical potential in epilepsy. Drugs. 1993 Sep;46(3):409-427. doi: 10.2165/00003495-199346030-00007. PMID: 7693432. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7693432/

2.-

Taylor CP. Mechanisms of action of gabapentin. Rev Neurol (Paris). 1997;153 Suppl 1:S39-45. PMID: 9686247. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9686247/

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Yasaei R, Katta S, Saadabadi A. Gabapentin. 2022 Dec 19. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29630280. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493228

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Schmidt P, Rao S. Effects of gabapentin, pregabalin and gastroretentive gabapentin on simulated driving, daytime sedation and cognition. Pain Manag. 2018 Jul 1;8(4):297-306. doi: 10.2217/pmt-2018-0005. Epub 2018 Apr 19. PMID: 29671676. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29671676/

5.-

Peterson BL. Prevalence of gabapentin in impaired driving cases in Washington State in 2003-2007. J Anal Toxicol. 2009 Oct;33(8):545-9. doi: 10.1093/jat/33.8.545. PMID: 19874666. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19874666/