Gabapentin+amitriptyline
About
Gabapentin+amitriptyline is a combination medicine indicated for the management of neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is a chronic progressive nerve disease which causes nerve pain due to damaged sensory nerves. Symptoms include spontaneous, untriggered pain, unpleasant feeling, shooting, burning or stabbing pain, difficulty resting or sleeping, and evoked pain (pain caused by events usually not painful).
Gabapentin+amitriptyline is a combination of two drugs: Gabapentin (anti-convulsant) and Amitriptyline (tricyclic antidepressant). Gabapentin works by binding to the specific site on voltage-gated calcium channels; this helps relieve nerve pain. Amitriptyline works by increasing the serotonin and noradrenaline (natural substances) levels in the brain, thereby preventing the movement of pain signals in the brain. Together, Gabapentin+amitriptyline helps in providing relief from neuropathic pain.
You are advised to take Gabapentin+amitriptyline for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and dry mouth. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Gabapentin+amitriptyline may cause drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Gabapentin+amitriptyline in children. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Gabapentin+amitriptyline as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side-effects.
Uses of Gabapentin+amitriptyline
Medicinal Benefits
Gabapentin+amitriptyline is a combination of two drugs: Gabapentin and Amitriptyline. Gabapentin belongs to a class of drugs called anti-convulsants whereas Amitriptyline belongs to tricyclic antidepressants. Gabapentin+amitriptyline is used to treat neuropathic pain. Gabapentin works by binding to the specific site on voltage-gated calcium channels; this helps relieve nerve pain. Amitriptyline works by increasing the level of chemical messengers such as noradrenaline and serotonin, thereby preventing the movement of pain signals in the brain. Together, Gabapentin+amitriptyline helps in providing relief from neuropathic pain.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Gabapentin+amitriptyline
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Gabapentin+amitriptyline if you are allergic to any of its contents; if you recently had a heart attack, if you have heart rhythm problems, severe liver disease or if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or have taken them in the last 14days. Inform your doctor if you have/had heart, kidney or liver problems, nervous system disorders, respiratory disorders, or muscle weakness. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Gabapentin+amitriptyline may cause drowsiness, dizziness and blurred vision, so drive only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Gabapentin+amitriptyline as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side-effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Gabapentin+amitriptyline may interact with hypnotics (zolpidem), antidepressants (duloxetine, escitalopram, sertraline), pain killers (hydrocodone, acetaminophen), anti-histamine (diphenhydramine, cetirizine), muscle relaxant (cyclobenzaprine), anti-convulsant (pregabalin, topiramate), anti-thyroid (levothyroxine), anti-anxiety (alprazolam), anti-psychotic (quetiapine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Gabapentin+amitriptyline as it might cause increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have heart problems, pheochromocytoma (tumour of the adrenal gland), depression, seizures, bone marrow suppression, diabetes, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, glaucoma, diabetes, thyroid problems, suicidal tendency, haemodialysis, kidney or liver problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Gabapentin+amitriptyline as it may cause increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor before taking Gabapentin+amitriptyline; your doctor will decide whether Gabapentin+amitriptyline can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
unsafeGabapentin+amitriptyline may cause drowsiness, sleepiness, tiredness and blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionLimited information is available. Please consult your doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include food rich in vitamin B and D in your diet.
- Include cayenne pepper in your diet as it can help in lowering neuropathic pain.
- Exercising regularly helps in improving overall health and combating pain.
- Rest well, get plenty of sleep.
- Try taking a warm bath, as it can be soothing.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Meditation and yoga can help lower stress, decrease pain sensitivity and improves coping skills.
- Acupuncture can be helpful by stimulating pressure points.
- Using essential oils for massages can help increase circulation.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Neuropathic pain: Neuropathic pain is caused due to damaged sensory nerves. The pain could be intermittent or continuous, which is felt as a prickling, stabbing, tingling or burning sensation. A feeling of numbness and loss of sensations is also common with neuropathic pain. Usually, the body sends the pain signals when there is an injury, but with neuropathic pain, the pain is not triggered by an injury; the body unpromptedly sends the pain signals. Symptoms include spontaneous, untriggered pain, unpleasant feeling, shooting, burning or stabbing pain, difficulty resting or sleeping, and evoked pain (pain caused by events usually not painful).
FAQs
Gabapentin+amitriptyline contains Gabapentin and Amitriptyline. Gabapentin works by binding to the specific site on voltage-gated calcium channels; this helps relieve nerve pain. Amitriptyline works by increasing the level of chemical messengers such as noradrenaline and serotonin, thereby preventing the movement of pain signals in the brain. Together, Gabapentin+amitriptyline helps in providing relief from neuropathic pain.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Gabapentin+amitriptyline for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Gabapentin+amitriptyline.
Gabapentin+amitriptyline is used to treat peripheral neuropathic pain caused due to disease conditions such as diabetes or shingles (viral infection). Peripheral neuropathy occurs due to damaged peripheral nerves.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Gabapentin+amitriptyline. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might stimulate saliva and prevent drying of the mouth.
Do not take Gabapentin+amitriptyline if you recently had a heart attack. Consult your doctor before taking Gabapentin+amitriptyline if you have any heart problems.
