- that what I am providing is NOT meant in any way to replace the conversation between you, your doctor, or your pharmacist
- please do not self-diagnose or make medical decisions about this drug without talking with qualified professionals
- the information provided here is the reference sheet you would find at WebMD. During my journey I found this site to be helpful in providing support. All credit for this information belongs to them. I copied it right from their website and I have removed the hyper-links. Please visit their site if you would like to read further.
For this installment, I have chosen Horizant
GENERIC NAME(S): GABAPENTIN ENACARBIL
Uses
This medication is used to treat moderate to severe restless legs syndrome. It is also used to relieve nerve pain following shingles (a painful rash due to herpes zoster infection). This condition is called postherpetic neuralgia. Gabapentin enacarbil is changed by your body to gabapentin. Gabapentin belongs to a class of drugs known as anti-seizure or anticonvulsant drugs.
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
Gabapentin may also be used to treat seizures and other painful nerve conditions (neuropathic pain).
**Please read this information carefully**
If you have any questions about what is provided here....talk with your doctor or pharmacist please.
GENERIC NAME(S): GABAPENTIN ENACARBIL
Uses
This medication is used to treat moderate to severe restless legs syndrome. It is also used to relieve nerve pain following shingles (a painful rash due to herpes zoster infection). This condition is called postherpetic neuralgia. Gabapentin enacarbil is changed by your body to gabapentin. Gabapentin belongs to a class of drugs known as anti-seizure or anticonvulsant drugs.
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
Gabapentin may also be used to treat seizures and other painful nerve conditions (neuropathic pain).
How to use Horizant
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking gabapentin enacarbil and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
For Restless Legs Syndrome: Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily with food at about 5 PM. This dosing schedule is for people who are awake during the day and asleep during the night. If you need to sleep during the daytime and stay awake at night, talk with your doctor about your schedule before using this medication.
For Postherpetic Nerve Pain: Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily with food for several days, then increase to twice a day with food thereafter.
Swallow this medication whole. Do not crush or chew sustained-release tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split sustained-release tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
Different forms of gabapentin (such as immediate-release, sustained-release, enacarbil sustained-release) are absorbed in the body differently. Do not switch from one form to the other without consulting your doctor.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
Side Effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, or blurred vision may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
A small number of people who take anticonvulsants for any condition (such as seizure, bipolar disorder, pain) may experience depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, or other mental/mood problems. Tell your doctor right away if you or your family/caregiver notice any unusual/sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior including signs of depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, thoughts about harming yourself.
Get medical help right away if you have any serious side effects, including: unusual fever, swollen glands, yellowing skin/eyes, unusual tiredness, dark urine, change in the amount of urine, chest pain.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
HORIZANT Side Effects list by likelihood and severity.
The following side effects are associated with Horizant:
Common side effects of Horizant:
Involuntary Eye Movement Severe
Uncoordinated Severe
Dizzy Less Severe
Drowsiness Less Severe
Fluid Retention in the Legs, Feet, Arms or Hands Less Severe
Inducing of a Relaxed Easy State Less Severe
Low Energy Less Severe
Infrequent side effects of Horizant:
Depression Severe
Feeling Anger Toward Something Severe
Loss of Memory Severe
Mental Impairment Severe
Mood Changes Severe
Backache Less Severe
Blurred Vision Less Severe
Cough Less Severe
Diarrhea Less Severe
Difficulty Speaking Less Severe
Double Vision Less Severe
Dry Mouth Less Severe
Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe
Feeling Weak Less Severe
Hyperactive Behavior Less Severe
Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements Less Severe
Infection caused by a Virus Less Severe
Involuntary Quivering Less Severe
Lazy Eye Less Severe
Middle Ear Infection Less Severe
Not Feeling Well Less Severe
Throat Dryness Less Severe
Throat IrritationLess Severe
Throwing Up Less Severe
Weight Gain Less Severe
Rare side effects of Horizant:
Abnormal Liver Function Tests Severe
Allergic Reaction caused by a Drug Severe
Confused Severe
Easily Angered or Annoyed Severe
Erythema Multiforme Severe
Giant Hives Severe
Having Thoughts of Suicide Severe
Increased Eosinophils in the Blood Severe
Life Threatening Allergic Reaction Severe
Low Amount of Sodium in the Blood Severe
Multiple Organ Failure Severe
Serious Muscle Damage that may Lead to Kidney Failure Severe
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Severe
Swollen Lymph Nodes Severe
Yellowing of Skin or Eyes from Liver Problems Severe
Altered Interest in Having Sexual Intercourse Less Severe
Anxious Less Severe
Cannot Focus Thoughts Less Severe
Chronic Trouble Sleeping Less Severe
Enlarged Breasts Less Severe
Excessive Sweating Less Severe
Fever Less Severe
Head Pain Less Severe
High Blood Sugar Less Severe
Inability to have an Erection Less Severe
Increase in the Product of Metabolism Found in Muscle Less Severe
Indigestion Less Severe
Inflammation of the Nose Less Severe
Loss of Appetite Less Severe
Pain Less Severe
Pink Eye Less Severe
Problem Behavior Less Severe
Rash Less Severe
Precautions
Before taking gabapentin enacarbil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to gabapentin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, mental/mood problems (such as depression, thoughts of suicide), use/abuse of drugs/alcohol.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially swelling of the hands/ankles/feet, dizziness, or loss of coordination. Dizziness and loss of coordination can increase the risk of falling.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Gabapentin passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine, morphine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Do not use this medication with other medications that contain gabapentin.
This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests for urine protein. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness and dizziness.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Missed Dose
For Restless Legs Syndrome: If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule the next day. Do not double the dose to catch up.
For Postherpetic Nerve Pain: If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep this medication in the bottle that it came in and keep the container tightly closed. Do not remove the moisture control packets inside of the bottle. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised October 2015. Copyright(c) 2015 First Databank, Inc.