Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Gabapentin as follows:
Gastrointestinal side-effects
- Gabapentin use can result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea and vomiting. Gabapentin use can also result in compromised appetite occasionally. Taking gabapentin after having a meal or a snack can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication.
- Gabapentin can also induce extreme dry mouth and constipation. Sucking on a sugar free hard candy can help with symptomatic relief of dry mouth. Proper hydration measures and compliance with daily fluid intake recommendations can help with relief from constipation. If you experience any further bothersome constipation, report it to your physician for a recommendation on laxative/stool softener use. Observing compliance with fiber intake recommendations in the diet can also help with preventing episodes of constipation with the medication.
Musculoskeletal side-effects
- Gabapentin use can result in poor motor coordination and unsteadiness, with increased fall risk and accidents. Confusion and dizziness with gabapentin use, can add to the motor incoordination, thus enhancing the fall risk significantly.
- Gabapentin use can also result in abnormal contractions of muscles controlling the movement of the eyes, resulting in random and unusual eye movements and consequent vision changes.
