Neurontin Side Effects

[Guest guest]

To all:

All of you who are taking Neurontin (gabapentin) can rest assured,

regardless of what you have read on this net, that there is no danger

of liver or kidney damage due to taking this drug. An extensive search

of the literature reveals no cases of liver or kidney damage. In fact,

several papers point to Neurontin as one of the safer drugs being used

as an anticonvulsant. The reason for its safety is that Neurontin is

not metabolized by the body. It is excreted in the urine as the intact

drug.

Mention is made that people with PRE-EXISTING kidney disease should

adjust the dose of Neurontin because it can build up if not excreted

in the urine at the expected rate. The same is true of Mirapex and

many other drugs. The damage referred to is not done by the Neurontin,

it was there before you started taking it. It is well recognized that

Neurontin will increase the effect of any central nervous system

depressant. It does this in epileptics (the FDA indication for

Neurontin) as well as in people with RLS or anybody else. All of the

benzodiazepines are CNS depressants as is alcohol and sleeping pills

of any type. The way to handle this is to reduce the usual dose of

benzodiazepine or other CNS depressant if you find that the effect is

too strong because of the combined effect with Neurontin. The product

information in the PDR (which is the approved FDA wording) states that

routine lab studies are not needed when taking Neurontin.

If someone has information that contradicts the above, I would

appreciate the education. If not, I think that in fairness to the

people taking Neurontin that this misinformation stop. Express your

opinion all you want, but don't label it as fact. If the shoe

fits.....

Dr. Levin

[Guest guest]

Thank you Dr. Levin for all of your wonderful information about treatments.

I welcome the learning experience.

I hope everyone is well.

Deborah