Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust Pharmacy
Lloydspharmacy main dispensary, Caludon Centre, Clifford Bridge Road, Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, CV6 6NY
http://www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/

David Tait
02476 536836
David.Tait@covwarkpt.nhs.uk

What sort of side-effects might occur if I am taking gabapentin?

The table below will show you some of the main side effects you might get from gabapentin.

Side effect

What happens

What to do about it

COMMON (more than about 1 in 10 people might get these)

Sleepiness

You feel sleepy, drowsy or sluggish the next morning.

Don't drive or use machinery. This should wear off after a few weeks. If it does not, discuss with your doctor – it may be possible to adjust the dose.

Dizziness

Feeling light-headed and faint.

Don't stand up too quickly.
Try and lie or sit down if you feel it coming on.
Don't drive.

Lethargy

You feel tired all the time and don't feel like doing anything.

Your dose may be too high. Contact your doctor to discuss this.

Blurred vision

Things look fuzzy and you can't focus properly.

Don't drive. See your doctor if you are worried. He or she may be able to adjust your dose. You won't need glasses.

Stomach upset

This includes feeling and being sick, and indigestion.

If it lasts for more than a week or so, see your doctor. Your pharmacist may be able to help with something for indigestion.

Tremors

Feeling shaky.

It is not dangerous. If it troubles you, contact your doctor.

UNCOMMON (less than about 1 in 10 people might get these)

Weight gain

Eating more and putting on weight.

A diet full of vegetables and fibre may help prevent weight gain. See also a separate question in this section.
Click here for a few tips on how to help you feel less hungry and lose weight.

Sore throat

Sore throat or cough

This should wear off. If not, mention it to your doctor next time you meet.

Stammer

Stuttering or stammer

This should wear off. If not, mention it to your doctor next time you meet.

Anxiety

Feeling more anxious or nervous

This should wear off. If not, mention it to your doctor next time you meet.

Do not be worried by this list of side effects. Some people get no side effects at all and others may get some effects that are not listed in this table. Side effects tend to be worse with higher doses and also if you have kidney problems (when a lower dose is needed). Starting with a lower dose sometimes helps. If you think you might have a side effect to your medicine, you should discuss this with your doctor, nurse of pharmacist. You should also see the manufacturer's information leaflet.

Updated 12.11

Medicines Management Service

Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust is committed to:

  1. Efficient drug distribution and purchasing
  2. Provision of accurate and independent education and information about drug therapy to service users and carers
  3. Information and education for Trust staff, other professionals, service users, carers and voluntary helpers.

To support this commitment, the Trust has a dedicated Medicines Management team that provides specialist pharmaceutical support to clinicians, service users and carers. The team is based at:

Wayside House
Wilson’s Lane
Coventry
CV6 6NY

Telephone: 02476 536836
Facsimile: 024760368963


Lloydspharmacy Dispensing Service

In October 2008 Lloydspharmacy was contracted to provide high-quality and cost-effective pharmaceutical dispensing for Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust Mental Health and Learning Disability services.

The Lloydspharmacy Dispensing Service operates to supply all in-patient and community teams with the pharmaceutical supplies they require to meet the needs of service users.

The Lloydspharmacy dispensaries are located at: