What Are the Signs of a Gabapentin Overdose?

Signs of a gabapentin overdose vary among patients, depending on age, general health, and dosage used. Overdose might become more likely if the drug is used with alcohol, which might produce dizziness, trouble speaking, and difficulty breathing. Some patients become sleepy after taking too much of the medicine. A gabapentin overdose might also cause double or blurred vision, uncoordinated movements, and diarrhea.

Gabapentin might prevent partial seizures in patients suffering from epilepsy and is typically used with other medication. It could also ease nerve pain in people who suffer a bout of shingles. Some doctors find the drug useful to treat bipolar disorders when other drugs fail to improve patients’ condition. Other uses include migraine headaches and relieving the symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease, a neurological disorder causing weak muscles.

Treatment for a gabapentin overdose might include pumping the patient’s stomach to expel any undigested drug residue. If a doctor believes the drug has entered the patient’s bloodstream, dialysis might be prescribed. Patients commonly receive intravenous fluids after a gabapentin overdose to keep their bodies hydrated. Emergency room personnel usually keep tabs on other symptoms, such as trouble breathing, heart irregularities, and blood pressure.

Epileptic partial seizures might affect one area of the brain or several regions. Simple partial seizures typically do not result in loss of consciousness. Patients who experience a complex partial seizure usually become unconscious and might exhibit odd movements, such as repeated twitching. Other medical conditions might also provoke seizures, such as stroke, substance abuse, head injuries, and brain tumors.

Side effects of the medication are typically tolerated by most patients. They could include dizziness or sleepiness, which may or may not affect coordination. Some patients develop infections and fever while using this drug, while others experience nausea and vomiting. Rarely, patients might see an increase in appetite leading to weight gain.

In addition to adverse reactions with alcohol, gabapentin might interact with antacids and pain medication, including over-the-counter drugs. People with kidney disorders should alert their doctors about their conditions. It is not recommended for very young children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers. Older children using this medication might become hyperactive and be unable to concentrate.

Patients should not drive while taking this drug until they discover if it affects vision or makes them sleepy. Suicidal thoughts might increase in people using the drug for psychological problems. The drug should not be discontinued abruptly, but tapered off to prevent withdrawal symptoms.