Dom-Gabapentin: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

ABOUT THIS MEDICATION

What the medication is used for:

Dom-GABAPENTIN (gabapentin) belongs to the family of medicines called antiepileptic drugs and is used for treating epilepsy (seizures).

What it does:

Dom-GABAPENTIN has been prescribed for you by your doctor to reduce your number of seizures.

When it should not be used:

Do not use Dom-GABAPENTIN if you are allergic to it or any of the components in the formulation (see list of components under nonmedicinal ingredients). Stop taking the drug and contact your doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction or any severe or unusual side effects while taking the drug.

What the medicinal ingredient is:

Gabapentin

What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:

Capsules: Corn Starch, Gelatin, Lactose, Red Iron Oxide (400 mg), Talc, Titanium Dioxide and Yellow Iron Oxide (300 mg and 400 mg).

Tablets: Copovidone, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polyethylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Starch Glycolate, and Talc.

What dosage forms it comes in:

Capsules: 100 mg, 300 mg or 400 mg

Tablets: 600 mg or 800 mg

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

BEFORE you use Dom-GABAPENTIN, tell your doctor or pharmacist:

• Any health conditions or problems you may have, including kidney disease, breathing or lung problem.
• If you are taking any other medicines (prescription and non-prescription).
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to medication, food, etc.

• If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant.

• If you are breast-feeding.
• If you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse.
• Your habits of alcohol consumption.

• If you drive a vehicle or perform hazardous tasks during your work.

• A small number of people being treated with anti-epileptics have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If at any time you have these thoughts when taking Dom-GABAPENTIN, contact your doctor immediately.

It is important for your doctor to have all of the above information before prescribing treatment and dosage.

INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION

Tell your doctor if you start or stop taking opioids such as morphine or hydrocodone. Opioids may increase the levels of Dom-GABAPENTIN in your blood.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience increased side effects such as drowsiness or slowed breathing while taking Dom-GABAPENTIN with an opioid or other sedatives and tranquilizers. The dose of these drugs or Dom-GABAPENTIN may need to be adjusted.

Avoid alcoholic drinks while taking Dom-GABAPENTIN.

PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION

Usual dose

• It is very important that you take Dom-GABAPENTIN exactly as your doctor has instructed.

• Dom-GABAPENTIN may be taken with or without food.

• You should not increase or decrease the amount of Dom-GABAPENTIN you are taking unless your doctor tells you to.
• Do not stop taking it abruptly because your seizures may increase.

Overdose:

If you think you have taken too much Dom-GABAPENTIN, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or Regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Signs of overdose may include: dizziness, drowsiness, unusually weak breathing, loss of consciousness.

Missed Dose:

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is within 4 hours of your next dose do not take the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not allow more than 12 hours to go by between doses because your seizures may increase. If that happens, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

REMINDER: This medicine has been prescribed only for you.

Do not give it to anybody else, as they may experience undesirable effects, which may be serious.

SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking Dom-GABAPENTIN, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Like all medications, Dom-GABAPENTIN can cause some side effects. You may not experience any of them. For most patients these side effects are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious. Some of these side effects may be dose related. Consult your doctor if you experience these or other side effects, as the dose may need to be adjusted.

• Call your doctor immediately if your seizures get worse.
• When you first begin taking Dom-GABAPENTIN you may experience some side effects such as agitation, drowsiness, dizziness, lack of muscle coordination, and fatigue. Consult your doctor if you experience any of these, as the dose may have to be adjusted.
• If your epilepsy is not controlled, it is very important not to perform any potentially hazardous tasks, such as driving a car or operating dangerous machines. If your epilepsy is controlled, it is important to refrain from potentially dangerous tasks until you are sure this medication does not affect your mental alertness or physical coordination.
• The following side effects have been reported when gabapentin is abruptly stopped: anxiety, sleeplessness, nausea, pain, and sweating.

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you have any unexpected effects while taking Dom-GABAPENTIN, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO STORE IT

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store capsules and tablets between 15°C and 30°C.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date, which is printed on the package label.
• If your doctor tells you to stop taking Dom-GABAPENTIN, or if you find that they have passed their expiry data, please return any left over medicine to you pharmacist.

Reporting Side Effects

MORE INFORMATION

This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals, can be obtained by contacting Dominion Pharmacal at 1-888-550-6060.

Dominion Pharmacal

Montréal Québec

H4P 2T4

Last revised: August 11, 2017