Side Effects Of Gabapentin

[XTRAWLD]

I've used it quite a bit with Kasey, but not so much with Ryder. Aside from it apparently causing sedateness....I laugh when vets say that for use in a greyhound.... anything else that can usually occur with it's use?

 

Ryder has been on it for a week now, 300mg twice a day, and he gets them with his meals. I've been noticing regurgitation, but only just started yesterday/today. Is it they type of med that Pepcid should be used with? I had Kasey on Pepcid because of his reflux, but have never given it to Ryder much so I wouldn't know if I should!

 

Thanks!

[KF_in_Georgia]

I wouldn't have thought gabapentin would need Pepcid, and I'd be worried that something else is causing problems since he's been on the gabapentin a week and trouble only started yesterday.

 

The only real warning I remember about gabapentin is that you don't stop it abruptly; it's something you need to step-down on to stop.

[ramonaghan]

I wouldn't have thought gabapentin would need Pepcid, and I'd be worried that something else is causing problems since he's been on the gabapentin a week and trouble only started yesterday.

 

The only real warning I remember about gabapentin is that you don't stop it abruptly; it's something you need to step-down on to stop.

 

+1. Sweep had no side effects on it.

[GeorgeofNE]

I don't give Buck anywhere near that much, but there are zero side effects with the dose he takes.

[Remolacha]

Conner has been on 200mg twice a day for a couple of years, with occasional increases as needed, with no side effects. I remember my vet telling me, when Sallie was on it for her osteo, that the max dose is quite high, but there are rarely side effects.

[tbhounds]

Do not give Pepcid at the same time as the gabapentin-it will reduce the efficiency of the gabapentin. Regurge is not a common side effect-sedation is but resolves once the body adjusts. One thing I noticed with my own dog while on gabapentin is weight gain.

[greysmom]

Yah. ^^^^ If you feel the nee to give pepcid I would not give them together. Have you been giving the gaba after he eats? I just throw two of Toni's doses on her food, then the third dose she takes with a spoon of peanut butter. She's got an iron stomach but she's never had any upset with it.

[racindog]

I used it very spaingly with Momma and observed no side effects. I would say it may have helped a little but not much which is why I didn't use it more.

[Annette]

Pogo had no side effects with the gabapentin.

[XTRAWLD]

I throw it in with his food. It might just be a one off thing, he typically spits up water when he drinks a tonne of it at once, so I'm not too concerned yet, but am monitoring of course.

 

Thank you!

[LaFlaca]

Wendy was just prescribed gabapentin for arthritis pain. Do you give your dog the medication every day even if there is no obvious pain?

[XTRAWLD]

Wendy was just prescribed gabapentin for arthritis pain. Do you give your dog the medication every day even if there is no obvious pain?

I've only had to give gaba when there is a noticeable issue, and in both of my boys cases (LS and neck/limping) I've had to give it. I'm not sure why that would have been perscribed for arthritis though. I'd say to give it to her to see if her mood/actions change for the better.

[NeylasMom]

The only other side effect I've seen is unsteady footing/wobbliness (could be from dizziness) as they adjust to a new or increase in dosage. Never seen a dog have stomach issues from it.

 

Did you see my thread about meds I need to get rid of. I have a ton of 300 mg Gabapentin if you want me to send it to you. I could include that DAP collar that I never got around to sending that I feel really horrible about. Though to be realistic it wont' go out until after Christmas.

[XTRAWLD]

The only other side effect I've seen is unsteady footing/wobbliness (could be from dizziness) as they adjust to a new or increase in dosage. Never seen a dog have stomach issues from it.

 

Did you see my thread about meds I need to get rid of. I have a ton of 300 mg Gabapentin if you want me to send it to you. I could include that DAP collar that I never got around to sending that I feel really horrible about. Though to be realistic it wont' go out until after Christmas.

Thanks for the offer. I'm not sure if he will stay on 300 mg capsules after his check up in early Jan, so if someone takes dibs before that time, it's ok with me. Otherwise I'll let you know.

[TwiggysMom]

Twiggy has a very sensitive stomach for the past 5 years since her iv chemo, but no issues with her tramadol or gabapentin. (she now gets 200 mg 3x/day of gaba, with no issues). Based on that, and others' experiences, I think it is unlikely that the gabapentin would be problematic.

[LaFlaca]

I've only had to give gaba when there is a noticeable issue, and in both of my boys cases (LS and neck/limping) I've had to give it. I'm not sure why that would have been perscribed for arthritis though. I'd say to give it to her to see if her mood/actions change for the better.

Wendy can't take NSAIDS. We almost lost her to a gastric bleed after taking an NSAID a couple of years ago. We tried Tramadol and Robaxin when the limping started, but these did not help with pain and made her seem depressed/sedated. Gabapentin is prescribed for the pain of neuropathy and I've been prescribed it for Fibromyalgia pain. So far, she's doing very well. I'm going to call the vet to confirm that Wendy has to take the medication on a daily basis or as needed. Can't believe it didn't occur to to ask that question at the moment.

[NeylasMom]

I wouldn't give Gabapentin as needed - dogs can experience side effects that will resolve over time - but if she's on a very low dose that may not matter. Your get is the best one to tell you.

 

Dogs can acclimate to the dose so if you do give it consistently you may find over time you need to use a higher dose, but that doesn't necessarily mean she's getting worse. Gabapentin has an almost infinite safety range so that's not really something I'd worry too much about.

[Remolacha]

Conner takes it for his shoulder pain, which is a chronic condition, like arthritis, so he gets his dose every day.

[LaFlaca]

I wouldn't give Gabapentin as needed - dogs can experience side effects that will resolve over time - but if she's on a very low dose that may not matter. Your get is the best one to tell you.

 

Dogs can acclimate to the dose so if you do give it consistently you may find over time you need to use a higher dose, but that doesn't necessarily mean she's getting worse. Gabapentin has an almost infinite safety range so that's not really something I'd worry too much about.

Thanks for your advise. The prescription is 100 mg every 12 to 24 hours. I've been giving it to her once a day, after dinner. I've left a voicemail for the vet and am waiting for a call back.

[lotsoffreetime]

The only other side effect I've seen is unsteady footing/wobbliness (could be from dizziness) as they adjust to a new or increase in dosage. Never seen a dog have stomach issues from it.

 

Did you see my thread about meds I need to get rid of. I have a ton of 300 mg Gabapentin if you want me to send it to you. I could include that DAP collar that I never got around to sending that I feel really horrible about. Though to be realistic it wont' go out until after Christmas.

 

If you still have the Gabapentin and DAP collar available, I could use them for the Quints. Mamma Rio takes 300mg twice a day for a pinched nerve in her back (has been for over a year, along with Metacam and Tramadol), and Mr. Merlin uses a DAP collar and other meds for his anxiety. No worries if they have gone to someone else!

[NeylasMom]

Thanks for your advise. The prescription is 100 mg every 12 to 24 hours. I've been giving it to her once a day, after dinner. I've left a voicemail for the vet and am waiting for a call back.

Gabapentin has a short half life. Giving once a day doesn't make much sense to me, but I'd give it in the AM so it's working when she's most active if you're going to do that. Why not just give it twice a day?

[greypop]

We gave Declan gabapentin 3x/day for LS, with no obvious side effects. There's a discussion on pet uses here.

[LaFlaca]

Gabapentin has a short half life. Giving once a day doesn't make much sense to me, but I'd give it in the AM so it's working when she's most active if you're going to do that. Why not just give it twice a day?

Wendy and "active" do not go together! The girl has always been a huge couch potato. Anyway, the vet called me back and said to give the medication only if she needs it for the time being after which we'll reevaluate if necessary.

[lothianjavert]

When I used it for Diesel, I did not notice any side effects. It did make a big difference in helping his pain when the Deramaxx and Tramadol were not enough. His dose was broken up to 3x/day.

[moofie]

Not seen any side effects either.

 

My vet put Pru on gabapentin (400mg twice daily) as she's had a course of cartrophen injections for arthritis & maker advise not to use NSAIDs alongside it as reduces effectiveness. She's doing OK on it so would this be better long term than metacam?

 

This Vet prefers metacam as can give lower dose & not keen on tramadol though throp had no problems on it although not sure if it made any difference to him but perhaps didn't need it.

Edited December 29, 2016 by moofie