Gabapentin (Neurontin) Nursing Considerations

Hey guys, let’s take a look at the drug Gabapentin also known as Neurotin. This is an oral medication, as you can see here, picture of the red capsule. So remember when we talk about the therapeutic class of a drug, we are talking about how the drug works in the body while the pharmacologic class is the chemical effect of the drug. So the therapeutic class of Gabapentin is an analgesic adjunct, also an anti-convulsant and a mood stabilizer and Gabapentin. The pharmacologic class act. There is none. So the action of Gabapentin is actually not known or understood. It is thought that Gabapentin may play a role in neural membranes. We use Gabapentin for the prevention of seizures for peripheral neuropathy, for neuropathic pain and for the prevention of migraines. So some of the side effects that we see with Gabapentin are things like drowsiness, facial edema, hypertension, and confusion. 

So let’s take a look at a few nursing considerations. Gabapentin may cause suicidal thoughts, ataxia, or lack of muscle control and depression with these things in mind, monitor your patient for changes and behavior and depression while on Gabapentin, make sure you assess seizure activity and pain level in your patient, teach your patient to take this medication exactly as it’s directed and to report suicidal thoughts to the provider. So guys dosing regimens vary greatly with Gabapentin depending on why the patient is taking the medication. And also in 2000, there was actually a safety review of Gabapentin by health Canada, which concluded that there was a small but significant risk of breathing problems related to Gabapentin, especially in patients who already have lung, kidney or neurologic issues. So it might be important to keep that in mind, that’s it for Gabapentin or Neurotin, I’ll go out and be your best self today. And as always happy nursing.