Gabapentin Dosage
Your gabapentin dosage depends on several of factors that include your age and weight, the medical condition being treated, other medications currently taken, and other underlying medical conditions. The following information provides only the average dosage as indicated by the manufacturer. It is possible for you to get a totally different prescription. Do not adjust your dose without consulting your healthcare provider.
Treatment of Epilepsy
The recommended initial dosage of Gabapentin (Neurontin) for adults being treated for epilepsy is 300 mg taken once up to three times a day. The usual maintenance dose is 900 mg per day given in 3 divided doses. If necessary, the maintenance dose may be increased up to the maximum daily dose of 1,800 mg, until the condition is under control.
Children (aged 3 to 12 years old) should be given individualized dosage of gabapentin based on child’s body weight. The recommended initial dose ranges from 10-15 mg/kg/day given in three divided doses, then titrated until the effective dose is reached. The maintenance dose may be increased as necessary until seizure is controlled. Usually, the child’s dose requires frequent adjustment as he or she grows. Children may be given any of the drug formulations: oral solution, tablet or capsule.
Take note, however, that gabapentin (Neurontin) is approved only as an adjunctive medication in the treatment of seizures. Patients with unique needs, such as patients with kidney diseases, may need a lower gabapentin dosage.
Relief of Postherpetic Neuralgia (Pain Due to Shingles)
The recommended initial dose is 300 mg taken once a day on the first day, then 300 mg two times a day on the second day, and then 300 mg three times a day on the third day. The maintenance dose may be increased as necessary up to a maximum daily dose of 1,800 mg.
For Fibromyalgia
Gabapentin hasn't been approved by the FDA for treating Fibromyalgia, but studies have shown it to be effective so your doctor may prescribe it for this "off-label" use. The dosage prescribed for Fibromyalgia may range from 400mg three times a day and up to 800 mg three times a day (or 1200-2400mg maximum daily).
Use in Special Populations
Patients with renal impairment are given a lower dose of gabapentin. Your healthcare provider may need to check your creatinine clearance values to determine the severity of the impairment. Each patient should be given an individualized dose depending on the results of renal tests. For instance, patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl of less than 15 mL/min) may be given 300 mg every other day while patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCl of 15 to 30 mL/min) may take 300 mg once a day.
Regular renal tests and physician visits may be necessary to determine any possible adverse drug effects on the kidneys. Normally, healthcare providers recommend close medical supervision for patients with kidney impairment taking gabapentin.
Older adults may also be given a lower dose of gabapentin (Neurontin) depending on the current health state of the patient. Usually, elderly patients have decreased renal function; as such, caution should be taken when determining gabapentin dosage.
It is important that you take the medication exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not adjust the dose or discontinue taking the medication unless instructed to do so.
