Gabapentin+amitriptyline
About Gabapentin+amitriptyline
Gabapentin+amitriptyline is a combination medicine indicated for the management of neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is a chronic progressive nerve disease which causes nerve pain due to damaged sensory nerves. Symptoms include spontaneous, untriggered pain, unpleasant feeling, shooting, burning or stabbing pain, difficulty resting or sleeping, and evoked pain (pain caused by events usually not painful).
Gabapentin+amitriptyline is a combination of two drugs: Gabapentin (anti-convulsant) and Amitriptyline (tricyclic antidepressant). Gabapentin works by binding to the specific site on voltage-gated calcium channels; this helps relieve nerve pain. Amitriptyline works by increasing the serotonin and noradrenaline (natural substances) levels in the brain, thereby preventing the movement of pain signals in the brain. Together, Gabapentin+amitriptyline helps in providing relief from neuropathic pain.
You are advised to take Gabapentin+amitriptyline for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and dry mouth. 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+amitriptyline may cause drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Gabapentin+amitriptyline in children. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Gabapentin+amitriptyline 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+amitriptyline
Medicinal Benefits
Gabapentin+amitriptyline is a combination of two drugs: Gabapentin and Amitriptyline. Gabapentin belongs to a class of drugs called anti-convulsants whereas Amitriptyline belongs to tricyclic antidepressants. Gabapentin+amitriptyline is used to treat neuropathic pain. Gabapentin works by binding to the specific site on voltage-gated calcium channels; this helps relieve nerve pain. Amitriptyline works by increasing the level of chemical messengers such as noradrenaline and serotonin, thereby preventing the movement of pain signals in the brain. Together, Gabapentin+amitriptyline helps in providing relief from neuropathic pain.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Gabapentin+amitriptyline
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Neuropathic pain: Neuropathic pain is caused due to damaged 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 usually not painful).
FAQs
Gabapentin+amitriptyline contains Gabapentin and Amitriptyline. Gabapentin works by binding to the specific site on voltage-gated calcium channels; this helps relieve nerve pain. Amitriptyline works by increasing the level of chemical messengers such as noradrenaline and serotonin, thereby preventing the movement of pain signals in the brain. Together, Gabapentin+amitriptyline helps in providing relief from neuropathic pain.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Gabapentin+amitriptyline for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Gabapentin+amitriptyline.
Gabapentin+amitriptyline is used to treat peripheral neuropathic pain caused due to disease conditions such as diabetes or shingles (viral infection). Peripheral neuropathy occurs due to damaged peripheral nerves.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Gabapentin+amitriptyline. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might stimulate saliva and prevent drying of the mouth.
Do not take Gabapentin+amitriptyline if you recently had a heart attack. Consult your doctor before taking Gabapentin+amitriptyline if you have any heart problems.
