Can you drive on Gabapentin?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Can you drive on Gabapentin?
People can drive on Gabapentin, but whether or not you can drive is something you need to figure out on your own. Gabapentin is associated with a number of side effects because of its CNS depressing activity (1,2).
The medication can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and tiredness, especially during the early course of your treatment (1). If you feel this way or you’re new to Gabapentin and you’re not sure how this medication makes you feel, driving is not recommended.
You shouldn’t be driving a car if your mental alertness is impaired or can get impaired while you’re driving. It’s neither safe for you nor for anyone else around you (3).
If you are taking Gabapentin for epilepsy, you are not allowed to take control of a car, as epileptic seizures are unpredictable and can get triggered anytime or anywhere.
An epileptic patient is only allowed to drive if he/she has been free from seizures for over a year or you only have nocturnal seizures (nighttime seizures). (4)
However, if you’re taking Gabapentin for anxiety or nerve pain, and it doesn’t make you feel tired or sleepy anymore and you’re completely sure of that, you can drive. If you’re new to this, you should first wait and see how Gabapentin makes you feel.
How can Gabapentin-induced side effects affect your driving abilities?
As stated earlier, Gabapentin-induced side effects can make driving difficult for you. Let’s discuss further details (1):
- Drowsiness: Gabapentin can cause drowsiness and make you feel sleepy, which can affect your alertness and reaction time while driving.
- Dizziness: Some individuals may experience dizziness as a side effect of Gabapentin, which can impair the balance and coordination needed for safe driving. Gabapentin can also reduce heart rate, which can also contribute to dizziness.
- Blurred vision: Gabapentin may cause temporary visual disturbances, such as blurred vision, making it challenging to see clearly while driving.
- Impaired concentration: The medication can affect concentration and mental focus, which are essential for maintaining attention on the road and making split-second decisions.
- Reduced motor skills: Gabapentin can affect motor skills, including coordination and muscle control, potentially impacting your ability to operate a vehicle safely.
It is crucial to be aware of these potential risks and assess how Gabapentin affects you personally. If you experience any of these side effects or have concerns about driving, it is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider.
How long after taking Gabapentin can you drive safely?
The duration for which you should wait after taking Gabapentin before driving safely can vary from person to person. It is important to understand how Gabapentin affects you individually. To determine the appropriate timeframe, it is recommended to follow the guidance of your healthcare provider.
They can assess your specific situation, take into account factors such as your dosage, overall health, and other medications you may be taking, and provide personalized advice on when it is safe for you to drive.
It is crucial to prioritise your safety and the safety of others on the road. If you experience any side effects from Gabapentin that could impair your driving abilities, it is important to avoid driving until you feel fully alert, focused, and in control.
Final words
To sum up, you can drive on Gabapentin if the medication does not affect your ability to drive or focus on the road. If you are a new user, it’s recommended to wait and see how Gabapentin makes you feel before you take control of a car.
If you are concerned about any of the side effects, please reach out to your doctor or pharmacist.
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References
1.-
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
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/
3.-
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/
4.-
Drazkowski J. An overview of epilepsy and driving. Epilepsia. 2007;48 Suppl 9:10-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.01392.x. PMID: 18047592. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18047592/
