Gabapentin+methylcobalamin
About
Gabapentin+methylcobalamin belongs to a class of 'anticonvulsants,' primarily used to treat partial seizures (epilepsy) and various conditions of nerve pain/damage like post-herpetic neuralgia. Epilepsy is a neurological condition in which the brain's activity becomes abnormal with seizures episodes, sometimes losing awareness or consciousness. Neuralgia is a chronic pain condition of the nerves that occurs due to nerve damage or other neurological conditions like neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia or shingles.
Gabapentin+methylcobalamin consists of two drugs: Gabapentin (anticonvulsant) and Methylcobalamin (Mecobalamin or vitamin B12). Gabapentin treats seizures or fits by balancing chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the brain, furtherly reducing their abnormal excitement in the brain. Methylcobalamin is a coenzyme form of vitamin B12. It rejuvenates and protects damaged nerve cells by producing a substance called myelin. It also regulates body functions, such as cell multiplication, blood formation, and protein synthesis. Together, Gabapentin+methylcobalamin helps provide relief from neuropathic pain caused due to nerve damage and other neurological disorders.
Your doctor will decide the dosage and duration based on your medical condition. Sometimes, Gabapentin+methylcobalamin may have common side effects like dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, nausea and vomiting. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects for a longer duration.
Let your doctor know if you are using any prescription, non-prescription drugs, and herbal products before starting Gabapentin+methylcobalamin. If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mother, please consult your doctor before taking Gabapentin+methylcobalamin. Gabapentin+methylcobalamin causes drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Gabapentin+methylcobalamin should not be given to children under three years as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Gabapentin+methylcobalamin as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Uses of Gabapentin+methylcobalamin
Medicinal Benefits
Gabapentin+methylcobalamin is used to treat post-herpetic neuralgia and epilepsy. It contains Gabapentin (anti-convulsant) and Methylcobalamin (Mecobalamin or vitamin B12). Gabapentin works by binding to the specific site on voltage-gated calcium channels; this helps relieve nerve pain and lowers the risk of seizures. Methylcobalamin helps in the rejuvenation and protection of damaged nerve cells by producing a substance called myelin. It is also used to treat alcoholic neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage due to high blood sugar levels).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Gabapentin+methylcobalamin
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor before taking Gabapentin+methylcobalamin if you have a medical history of heart problems, bipolar syndrome, and nervous system disorders. Consult your doctor if you are on haemodialysis and experience muscle pain or weakness, persistent stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Please do not stop taking Gabapentin+methylcobalamin without consulting your doctor as it could cause withdrawal symptoms. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking Gabapentin+methylcobalamin. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies. Keep Gabapentin+methylcobalamin away from direct sunlight. Do not store Gabapentin+methylcobalamin above 25ºC and keep it away from direct sunlight.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Gabapentin+methylcobalamin may interact with pain killers (hydrocodone, acetaminophen), antidepressants (duloxetine, escitalopram, sertraline), muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine), anti-anxiety drugs (alprazolam), fits medicines (pregabalin), antipsychotics (quetiapine), antibiotics (chloramphenicol), and anti-diabetics (metformin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Gabapentin+methylcobalamin as it might cause increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Gabapentin+methylcobalamin may interact with disease conditions such as suicidal tendencies, renal dysfunction, and haemodialysis.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Gabapentin+methylcobalamin as it may increase dizziness and sleepiness.
Pregnancy
cautionGabapentin+methylcobalamin is not recommended during pregnancy unless prescribed by a doctor. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to conceive before taking Gabapentin+methylcobalamin.
Breast Feeding
cautionGabapentin in Gabapentin+methylcobalamin is excreted into breast milk. Please consult your doctor before taking Gabapentin+methylcobalamin if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
unsafeGabapentin+methylcobalamin causes drowsiness, sleepiness and tiredness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are mentally and physically alert.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Gabapentin+methylcobalamin. Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before taking Gabapentin+methylcobalamin. Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment.
Children
cautionGabapentin+methylcobalamin is not recommended in children less than three years of age. The doctor will prescribe the dosage of Gabapentin+methylcobalamin based on the child's age and weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include food rich in vitamin B and D in your diet as they can help in improving nerve health and preventing nerve pain.
- 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. It helps in increasing blood circulation, thereby decreases numbness and pain.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Meditation and yoga can help lower stress, decrease pain sensitivity and improves coping skills.
- Physical relaxation and massages can help provide symptomatic relief.
- Learn about techniques for sitting, stretching, moving, and standing from a physical or occupational therapist. These can help prevent pain.
- Acupuncture can be helpful by stimulating pressure points.
- Using essential oils for massages can help increase circulation and boosts healing.
Special Advise
- Close monitoring for suicidal thoughts/behaviour is required in people using Gabapentin+methylcobalamin.
- Using Gabapentin+methylcobalamin in children 3-12 years of age can cause emotional changes, aggressive behaviour, concentration problems, restlessness, school performance changes, and hyperactivity.
- Let your doctor and the laboratory staff know if you are using Gabapentin+methylcobalamin since Gabapentin may interfere with laboratory tests.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy is the central nervous system's disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, leading to rapid fits/seizures episodes with unusual behaviour and loss of awareness. Fits/Seizure is a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain. The main symptom of epilepsy fits.
Neuropathic pain: It is a nervous system disorder caused due to damage to sensory nerves. It is caused by chronic progressive nerve disease or due to infection or injury. 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 that are usually not painful).
FAQs
Gabapentin+methylcobalamin works by controlling the abnormal electrical activity of the brain that causes seizures (fits). It also helps in the rejuvenation and protection of damaged nerve cells.
Gabapentin+methylcobalamin may cause weight gain due to an increase in appetite. Maintain a healthy weight by regular exercise and following a balanced diet.
People taking Gabapentin+methylcobalamin should be closely monitored for suicidal thoughts or behaviour. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies.
If Gabapentin+methylcobalamin is taken along with antacid medicines containing aluminium and magnesium, it may lower the absorption of Gabapentin+methylcobalamin from the stomach. To avoid this, maintain a gap of two hours between Gabapentin+methylcobalamin and antacid medicines.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and follow your usual dosage.
