Prescription medication · Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent
gabapentin
Also sold as Neurontin, Gralise. Gabapentin is used to manage nerve pain after shingles in adults.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 351,750
- FDA reportsHeavily reported
- 19
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- 97% less
- Generic vs brandHuge savings
- 4
- Recall records
What the data shows
gabapentin (Neurontin) is a prescription Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent, in the top 5% of tracked drugs by FAERS report volume (351,750 FDA reports), whose generic costs a fraction of the brand (about 97% less).
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
gabapentin (Neurontin) is a prescription Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent. Gabapentin is used to manage nerve pain after shingles in adults.
Gabapentin is a medicine that can treat nerve pain and seizures. It works by calming overactive nerves in the body.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$2.78/unit
Generic Price
$0.07/unit
Generic Savings
97%
Generic Available
Yes (43 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 25, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Gabapentin is used to manage nerve pain after shingles in adults.
Common side effects
Dizziness, Sleepiness, Swelling in arms and legs
Key warnings
This medicine can cause a severe allergic reaction with fever, rash, and organ problems.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from gabapentin's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Gabapentin affects how nerves send signals to the brain. It is thought to work by decreasing the activity of overexcited nerve cells. This can reduce pain and prevent seizures.
How to Take It
Take gabapentin as your doctor tells you. For nerve pain, you may start with 300 mg on day 1, 600 mg on day 2, and 900 mg on day 3. Then your doctor may increase the dose up to 1800 mg per day. For seizures, adults and children over 12 usually start with 300 mg three times a day. Children ages 3 to 11 will have their dose based on weight. Do not wait more than 12 hours between doses.
This is a plain-language summary of gabapentin's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Gabapentin may cause harm to an unborn baby based on animal studies. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor. Gabapentin passes into breast milk. The effects on a nursing baby are not known.
This is a plain-language summary of gabapentin's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of gabapentin's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store gabapentin capsules at room temperature, between 68° to 77°F.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 351,750 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for gabapentin, by number of reports
- Tiredness
Tiredness
24,395 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
21,942 reports
- Aches and discomfort
Aches and discomfort
20,748 reports
- Loose or watery stools
Loose or watery stools
17,456 reports
- Pain in your head
Pain in your head
17,287 reports
- Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
15,975 reports
- Accidentally losing your balance and hitting the ground
Accidentally losing your balance and hitting the ground
15,169 reports
- Difficulty breathing
Difficulty breathing
13,731 reports
- Throwing up
Throwing up
11,709 reports
- Weakness
Weakness
11,631 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for gabapentin each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where gabapentin sits
gabapentin has more FDA adverse-event reports than 98% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is gabapentin; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 351,750 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2001–2025.
Total Reports
351,750
Reports Mentioning Death
33,007
9.4% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
103,305
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | FATIGUE | 24,397 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 21,946 |
| 4 | PAIN | 20,744 |
| 6 | DIARRHOEA | 17,454 |
| 7 | HEADACHE | 17,287 |
| 8 | DIZZINESS | 15,976 |
| 9 | FALL | 15,168 |
| 10 | DYSPNOEA | 13,728 |
| 11 | VOMITING | 11,709 |
| 12 | ASTHENIA | 11,625 |
| 13 | PAIN IN EXTREMITY | 11,358 |
| 14 | ARTHRALGIA | 11,156 |
| 15 | DEATH | 10,701 |
| 16 | MALAISE | 10,514 |
| 17 | PNEUMONIA | 10,063 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
This medicine can cause a severe allergic reaction with fever, rash, and organ problems. Stop taking gabapentin and get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how gabapentin affects you. Do not stop taking gabapentin suddenly, as this may increase seizures. Gabapentin may cause suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch for changes in mood or behavior. Using gabapentin with opioid medicines can cause very slow breathing, sedation, and death. Children ages 3 to 12 may have new or worsening behavior problems.
Known Drug Interactions
Benzodiazepines and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Due to additive pharmacologic effect, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines and other CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines and other sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), other opioids, including alcohol, can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death.
Mechanism: Both of these drugs slow down the central nervous system. Taking them together can cause extreme sleepiness, dangerously slow breathing, coma, or even death.
What to do: Use these drugs together only if your doctor says it is absolutely necessary. Monitor closely for signs of extreme drowsiness or trouble breathing.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Concentrations increased by morphine; may need dose adjustment (5.4, 7.1 ) 7.1 Opioids Respiratory depression and sedation, sometimes resulting in death, have been reported following coadministration of gabapentin with opioids (e.g., morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, buprenorphine) [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ]. 7.1 Opioids Respiratory depression and sedation, sometimes resulting in death, have been reported following coadministration of gabapentin with opioids (e.g., morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, buprenorphine) [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ].
Mechanism: Both of these medications slow down the central nervous system, which can lead to dangerous breathing problems and extreme sleepiness. Taking them together increases the risk of these life-threatening side effects.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor you closely for signs of breathing trouble and may need to adjust your dosages.
Oral Contraceptive Based on AUC and half-life, multiple-dose pharmacokinetic profiles of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol following administration of tablets containing 2.5 mg of norethindrone acetate and 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol were similar with and without coadministration of gabapentin (400 mg three times a day; N=13).
Mechanism: Based on clinical studies, gabapentin does not change how the body processes or reacts to birth control hormones like estradiol. There is no significant interaction between these two drugs.
What to do: No special dose changes are usually needed when taking these two medications together.
Naproxen Coadministration (N=18) of naproxen sodium capsules (250 mg) with Gabapentin (125 mg) appears to increase the amount of gabapentin absorbed by 12% to 15%. Gabapentin had no effect on naproxen pharmacokinetic parameters.
Mechanism: Taking naproxen can cause the body to absorb a slightly higher amount of gabapentin than it normally would. This could potentially increase the effects or side effects of the gabapentin.
What to do: Your doctor may need to monitor you for increased side effects if you take these medications at the same time.
Oral Contraceptive Based on AUC and half-life, multiple-dose pharmacokinetic profiles of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol following administration of tablets containing 2.5 mg of norethindrone acetate and 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol were similar with and without coadministration of gabapentin (400 mg three times a day; N=13). The C max of norethindrone was 13% higher when it was coadministered with gabapentin; this interaction is not expected to be of clinical importance.
Mechanism: Gabapentin slightly raises the peak level of the birth control hormone in your blood, but the change is very small.
What to do: No changes are needed because this small increase is not expected to cause any problems.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I drive while taking gabapentin?
Can I drink alcohol while taking gabapentin?
What should I do if I have side effects?
Can I stop taking gabapentin suddenly?
Does gabapentin interact with other medicines?
How long does it take for gabapentin to work?
Can children take gabapentin?
Will gabapentin cure my condition?
What if gabapentin doesn't seem to be working?
Can gabapentin cause weight gain?
What are the common side effects of gabapentin?
Does gabapentin interact with other medications?
What drug class is gabapentin?
Is there a generic version of gabapentin?
Is gabapentin safe during pregnancy?
Has gabapentin been recalled?
Active Recalls
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: an out of specification result obtained during routine stability testing for Highest Unknown Impurity .
The Harvard Drug Group LLC
Defective container; blister packaging inadequately sealed.
The Harvard Drug Group LLC
CGMP Deviations
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
Cross Contamination
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for gabapentin
The FDA label for gabapentin (sold under brand names such as Neurontin, Gralise) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent class. Gabapentin is used to manage nerve pain after shingles in adults. Official labeling lists 11 commonly reported side effects, including Dizziness, Sleepiness, Swelling in arms and legs.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 351,750 voluntary reports. The database also lists 19 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.07 versus $2.78 for the brand - a 97% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 4 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: April 2, 2024
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages