Does Gabapentin have Aspirin in it?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Does Gabapentin have Aspirin in it?
No, Gabapentin does not have Aspirin in it. These two medications are entirely different from one another and you can’t possibly compare them. Gabapentin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogue, whereas Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
Gabapentin is a prescription medication, but you can find Aspirin over the counter. Both of these meds work in entirely different ways and have different side effect profiles.
Understanding the differences between Gabapentin and Aspirin
Gabapentin is quite different from Aspirin. Let’s take a look at the basic difference between these two medications:
Mechanism of action and clinical efficacy
Gabapentin is an antiepileptic medication which is prescribed to control the intensity and frequency of epileptic seizures. Gabapentin can also be used for the management and treatment of anxiety and nerve pain(1).
Gabapentin, being a GABA analogue, enhances the activity of the inhibitory system and controls the excessive electrical activity in your brain. This way, the abnormal neuronal firing is controlled, which in turns control your anxiety and convulsions.
Aspirin, on the other hand, is an OTC painkiller and anti-inflammatory medication. It inhibits the synthesis of Prostaglandins, which are important mediators of pain and inflammation(2).
Aspirin can also reduce fever to some extent and can be used as a blood thinner in patients with coronary artery diseases.
Side effect profiles
Gabapentin and Aspirin, like every other medication on this planet, are associated with some side effects. Let’s take a look at them.
Side effects of Gabapentin
- Xerostomia or dry mouth
- Weight gain
- Dizziness
- Somnolence
- Swollen hands and feet
- Headache
- Vision problems
- Diarrhoea
- Cloudy mind
- Fatigue
- Tremors
- Confusion
- Joint pain
- Abdominal pain
- Flatulence and bloating
- Unsteadiness
- Muscle twitching
- Constipation
- Back pain
- Increased appetite
- Fever
Rare and serious side effects include:
- Suicidal behaviour
- Impaired motor coordination
- Reduced heart rate
- Thrombocytopenia or decreased levels of platelets
- Water retention
- Rhabdomyolysis – a condition associated with an abnormal breakdown of muscles
- Convulsions
- Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.
- An allergic reaction
Side effects of Aspirin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Acid reflux
- Flatulence
Rare and serious side effects include:
- An allergic reaction or hypersensitivity
- Arrhythmia or abnormal heartbeat
- Irregular breathing
- Tremors
- Bloody vomiting
- Loss of hearing
- Black or tarry stools – indicating gastrointestinal bleeding
- Ulceration
Final words
Make sure you use Gabapentin only if prescribed by your healthcare provider, and Aspirin if it doesn’t affect your health. It’s always best to report your side effects to your doctor. Gabapentin is not an easy medication and your body may take some time to adjust.
Furthermore, Gabapentin should not be discontinued abruptly, as doing so can subject you to side effects, including anxiety, headaches, nausea, ringing in the ears, etc.
As far as Aspirin is concerned, it may not affect you if you take this medication only if you need it. Unlike Gabapentin, Aspirin can cause blood thinning, so it should be used cautiously in people who do not require anticoagulant effects.
Furthermore, long-term use of Aspirin could affect your body negatively and you should talk to your doctor about that – especially if you’re taking Aspirin for a chronic condition.
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References
1.-
PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 3446, Gabapentin; [cited 2023 Feb. 28]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Gabapentin
2.-
PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 2244, Aspirin; [cited 2023 Feb. 28]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Aspirin
