Gabapentin+nortriptyline
About
Gabapentin+nortriptyline is a combination medicine indicated for the management of neuropathic pain. It is a chronic progressive nerve disease that causes nerve pain. 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).
Gabapentin+nortriptyline contains Gabapentin and Nortriptyline. Gabapentin works by binding to the specific site on voltage-gated calcium channels; this helps in relieving nerve pain. Nortriptyline prolongs the effect of serotonin and noradrenaline and prevents movements of pain signals in the brain.
In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, dry mouth, and tingling sensations. 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+nortriptyline may cause drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Gabapentin+nortriptyline should not be given to children unless prescribed by the doctor. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Gabapentin+nortriptyline 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+nortriptyline
Medicinal Benefits
Gabapentin+nortriptyline is used to treat neuropathic pain. Gabapentin+nortriptyline is a combination of two drugs: Gabapentin and Nortriptyline. Gabapentin belongs to a class of drugs called anti-convulsants whereas Nortriptyline belongs to tricyclic antidepressants. Gabapentin works by binding to the specific site on voltage-gated calcium channels; this helps in relieving nerve pain and lowers the risk of seizures. On the other hand, Nortriptyline works by preventing the released chemical messenger in brains (serotonin and noradrenaline) from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells (neuron) in the brain. As a result, it prolongs the effect of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain and prevents the movement of pain signals in the brain.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Gabapentin+nortriptyline
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Gabapentin+nortriptyline if you are allergic to any of its contents. Inform your doctor before taking Gabapentin+nortriptyline if you have/had heart problems or bipolar syndrome. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Gabapentin+nortriptyline may cause drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Gabapentin+nortriptyline 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.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Gabapentin+nortriptyline may interact with hypnotics (zolpidem), antidepressants (citalopram, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, bupropion, sertraline), pain killers (codeine, hydrocodone, acetaminophen, oxycodone, tramadol, methadone), anti-histamine (diphenhydramine, cetirizine), muscle relaxant (cyclobenzaprine), anti-convulsant (clonazepam, pregabalin, topiramate), anti-thyroid (levothyroxine), anti-anxiety (diazepam, alprazolam), anti-emetic (ondansetron), anti-psychotic (quetiapine), and drugs used to treat opioid misuse (naloxone, buprenorphine).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
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 and liver problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Gabapentin+nortriptyline as it may increase 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+nortriptyline; your doctor will decide whether Gabapentin+nortriptyline can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionGabapentin+nortriptyline may cause drowsiness, sleepiness and tiredness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionGabapentin+nortriptyline should not be given to children unless prescribed by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include food rich in vitamins B and D in your diet.
- Include cayenne pepper in your diet, as it can help lower neuropathic pain.
- Exercising regularly helps in improving overall health and combating pain.
- Rest well, and 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.
Special Advise
- If you are taking any antacids containing aluminum or magnesium, try to keep at least 2 hours gap between intake of Gabapentin+nortriptyline and these antacids to avoid drug-drug interaction.
- Gabapentin+nortriptyline can make you feel dizzy or drowsy, try to get up slowly while rising from a sitting or lying position
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Neuropathic pain: Neuropathic pain is a chronic progressive nerve disease caused due to damage of 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 that are usually not painful).
FAQs
Gabapentin+nortriptyline contains Gabapentin and Nortriptyline. Gabapentin works by binding to the specific site on voltage-gated calcium channels; this helps in relieving nerve pain. Nortriptyline prolongs the effect of serotonin and noradrenaline and prevents movements of pain signals in the brain.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Gabapentin+nortriptyline for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Gabapentin+nortriptyline; your doctor will reduce the dose gradually.
Gabapentin+nortriptyline may cause dry mouth. In that case, you can drink water or fluids, suck hard candy or ice, chew (sugarless) gum, or use a saliva substitute.
Gabapentin+nortriptyline helps in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage in diabetic patients). However, please consult your doctor before starting Gabapentin+nortriptyline if you have diabetes.
