WARNING ISSUED TO PEOPLE TAKING A CERTAIN PAINKILLER FOR COMMON LEG CONDITION
People who take Gabapentin, one of the most commonly prescribed painkillers, have been alerted by the NHS about some serious side effects that should be reported to a doctor immediately. Gabapentin is a prescription-only painkiller specifically designed to help with nerve pain issues, which can be caused by conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, shingles, and restless legs syndrome.
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a prevalent issue in Britain, affecting an estimated 10% of adults. However, for around 2%, it leads to troublesome symptoms almost every night.
This means that approximately 2.2 million people in the UK will experience this condition at some point in their lives.
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Medications used to treat restless leg syndrome (RLS) include alpha-2-delta ligands, such as pregabalin and gabapentin. The exact medication and dosage will depend on the severity of the symptoms and other health issues, and treatment may need to be lifelong.
Gabapentin is one of the most frequently prescribed medications in Britain and can be taken in tablet, capsule, or liquid form. Most adults and children aged six and over can take Gabapentin, reports the Mirror.
While most people who take Gabapentin do not experience any side effects, there are rare cases where individuals experience specific issues due to the medication.
The NHS website states: "Like all medicines, gabapentin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. These common side effects of gabapentin may happen in more than one in 100 people. They're usually mild and go away by themselves."
Frequent side effects include:
- Feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Diarrhoea
- Mood changes
- Swollen arms and legs
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty getting an erection
- Weight gain
- Memory problems
- Headaches
- Getting more infections than usual
There are some more serious side effects, including thoughts of self-harm, "swollen glands that do not go away" and "long-lasting stomach pain", which could indicate an inflamed pancreas.
However, these occur in "very few people", according to the NHS. If you take gabapentin for an extended period, there's a chance of developing an addiction, but this is also rare.
Regular medical check-ups are crucial when using this medication. In a medical safety 'do not mix' warning posted on the NHS website, the health service states: "Taking herbal remedies and supplements that can make you feel dizzy or drowsy while you're taking gabapentin could make these side effects worse.
"Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements."
Who can and cannot take gabapentin?
The typical dosage of gabapentin varies based on the condition that prompted the prescription.
Generally, the standard dose for adults and older children (12 and up) ranges from 900mg to 3,600mg daily, divided into three doses throughout the day.
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For children under 12, a physician will establish a safe dosage based on their body weight.
There are numerous reasons why a doctor might contemplate prescribing an alternative treatment to gabapentin, such as:
- If they have ever had an allergic reaction to gabapentin or any other medicine
- If they have ever misused or been addicted to a medicine
- If they are trying to get pregnant or are already pregnant
- If they are on a controlled sodium or potassium diet, or your kidneys do not work well (gabapentin liquid contains sodium and potassium, so speak to your doctor before taking it)
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2025-11-03T14:15:41Z