Seizures, epilepsy, various forms of neuralgia are dangerous problems that, unfortunately, many people face, regardless of gender and age. Fortunately, the modern pharmacological market offers a large selection of medicines that can cope with these diseases. One of them is the Gabantin 300. Instructions for use, medical opinion and recommendations, patient reviews, the main indications are presented in this article.
Features of the composition and description of the release form
This medicine is available in the form of hard capsules. The main active component of the drug is gabapentin. Each capsule contains 300 mg of this substance, which, in fact, is indicated on the package. As for excipients, their list includes talc, microcrystalline cellulose and corn starch. The capsule contains titanium dioxide and gelatin.
What properties does the medicine have and how does it affect the body?
Many are interested in additional information about the drug "Gabantin 300". Instructions for use, reviews, indications and recommendations - this is information that is interesting and useful for every person who is faced with the need to take such pills. Nevertheless, to begin with, it is worth learning about how the medicine affects the body.
Gabapentin is a cyclic analogue of GABA. Today it is considered a fairly new drug with anticonvulsant activity, because it was not possible to establish the mechanism of its effect. It is known that this component binds to specific protein centers of the central nervous system, providing a therapeutic effect. The drug not only relieves cramps, but also helps with neuropathic pain.
The main indications for treatment
Naturally, first of all, people ask the question of in which cases it is possible to take Gabantin 300 tablets. Indications for its use are different forms of epilepsy. It is worth noting that the drug can be the main component of therapy for partial convulsive seizures or is taken in combination with other drugs.
This is not the only situation in which Gabantine 300 tablets are used in modern medicine. What else do they help from? The drug allows you to cope with pain with postherpetic neuralgia. Neuropathies that occur in patients with diabetes mellitus are also referred to as indications.
The drug "Gabantin 300": instructions for use
In no case can you use the medicine on your own - only a doctor after a thorough examination will be able to determine the most effective dose, draw up the correct schedule for admission. Immediately it is worth saying that the capsules must be taken orally, washed down with water, and the effect does not depend on food intake.
As a rule, 300 mg of active substance is prescribed to patients first. The dose is slightly increased every day. It is believed that the maximum effective daily dose is 900-1800 mg, which should be divided into three doses. If for some reason the therapeutic results are not available, the dose can be increased further - the maximum amount of the active component is 3600 mg per day. The interval between doses of tablets should not exceed twelve hours.
If we are talking about patients with kidney diseases, then the daily dose is reduced to 300 mg 1-2 times a day. In the most severe cases, doctors recommend taking one capsule every two days.
Features of treating children
Naturally, the treatment regimen for children aged 8 to 12 years is slightly different. There are several schemes by which a doctor can calculate the daily dose of a medicine. In any case, much depends on the body weight of the child. For example, the daily amount for children weighing 26-36 kg is 900 mg. With a body weight of 37-50 kg, the daily dose is 1200 mg, and with 51-72 kg, 1800 mg of the active component. As in the case of adult patients, the daily dose should be divided into three doses.
Are there any contraindications?
In many cases, patients are interested in the question of whether Gabantin 300 can be used for all categories of patients. Instructions for use contain data on the presence of contraindications, which include the following situations:
- hypersensitivity to any substance present in the medicine;
- contraindications include childhood: capsules are not prescribed for children under eight years of age;
- the medicine should not be prescribed to women during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding, because it can negatively affect the state of the woman’s body and the developmental processes of the child. On the other hand, in some cases, the doctor may prescribe a similar medication to the patient, but only if there is an urgent need. Therapy must be carried out under the constant supervision of medical personnel.
Adverse reactions that may occur during treatment
Are there any side effects that may occur if you take the pill "Gabantin 300"? Reviews of doctors say that complications during therapy are rarely recorded. However, they are possible:
- increased susceptibility to infections, private respiratory and viral diseases, otitis media, inflammation of the urinary system;
- thrombocytopenia, leukopenia;
- lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia;
- allergic reactions, which can manifest themselves in different ways - redness and a rash on the skin, urticaria, swelling, itching;
- reactions may occur from the side of metabolism, in particular, a sharp increase in body weight, increased appetite, fluctuations in blood glucose levels, anorexia;
- on the part of the nervous system, symptoms such as headaches, parasthesia, amnesia, cramps, increased drowsiness, impaired coordination, ataxia, tremor, sleep problems, change in the intensity of reflexes, motor disturbances can occur;
- some mental disorders are possible, for example, depressive states, emotional lability, confusion, increased irritability, problems with thinking, hallucinations;
- sometimes the drug can cause disorders in the digestive system, which are manifested by nausea and vomiting, problems with stools, abdominal pain, dyspeptic symptoms, gingivitis, increased bilirubin levels; in the most severe cases, hepatitis, pancreatitis develops;
- the drug can affect the functioning of the excretory and reproductive systems, leading to urinary incontinence, impotence, breast hypertrophy, acute renal failure;
- Other side effects include tinnitus, myalgia, muscle spasms, fever, fatigue, general malaise, walking disorders, peripheral or generalized edema, chest pain, increased likelihood of fractures and other injuries.
Overdose information
What happens if you take too large doses of the drug "Gabantin 300"? Instructions for use contain data on a possible overdose. A single dose equal to 49 g (or more) of the active substance can lead to the appearance of symptoms such as diarrhea, speech impairment, severe dizziness. Some patients have severe drowsiness up to lethargy.
As a rule, symptomatic therapy can quickly eliminate the signs of an overdose. However, a patient who has taken too much of the drug should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible.
Interaction with other medicines, additional information
It is worth noting that gebapentin does not bind to plasma proteins, is not metabolized in the liver, and therefore it practically does not interact with other drugs. For example, it is often prescribed in combination with other antiepileptic drugs.
Nevertheless, if you take "Gabantin" along with antacids, its bioavailability is reduced by about 20%. Therefore, if the course of treatment includes both of these agents, it is recommended that gabapentin capsules be taken no earlier than two hours after antacids.
It is worth noting that this drug is ineffective with abscess epileptic seizures. It is not recommended for patients with galactose intolerance. Drug withdrawal is carried out gradually, the dose is reduced throughout the week. In the case of abrupt cancellation, an increase and increase in the intensity of seizures is possible.
Gabantine 300 tablets: analogues and prices
For one reason or another, the medicine may not be suitable for the patient. What to do in such cases? Is it possible to replace the drug "Gabantin 300" with something? Its analogues exist on the pharmacological market, and quite a lot. For example, such means as “Gabamax”, “Gabagamma”, as well as “Meditan”, “Neuralgin”, “Nupintin”, “Epigan” and “Tebantin” give a good effect.
An important point is the cost of the drug. A package of 30 capsules will cost about 220-260 rubles, depending on the pharmacy you use, the city and other factors. A package containing 60 capsules costs about 440-480 rubles. By the way, many analogues of the drug will cost much more.
Reviews of patients and specialists
What do they say about the drug "Gabantin 300"? The reviews are mostly positive, both on the part of doctors and patients. The drug really helps to cope with seizures, reduces their number and intensity, and also quickly relieves soreness in neuralgia. The advantages include a low number of contraindications (therapy can be carried out even in adolescence), as well as an affordable price. The tablets are easy to get, as they are sold in many pharmacies. In modern medicine, this drug is used quite often.