What are the concerns raised about Gabapentin for Nerve Pain?

Pain Killers are a necessity these days for doctors to prescribe and for patients to curb the unbearable pain which is the result of a stressful life. Sometimes it becomes a challenge for the doctors to deal with the pain the patient is experiencing. So is the case with Nerve Pain management. Gabapentin ( GBP) is a drug that is largely being prescribed by doctors for chronic pain which is non-cancerous and is associated with nerves. The need of using it arises when Acetaminophen becomes ineffective and NSAD’s(Non-steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs) have a lot of side effects, especially in patients having complex case history (and in some cases the patients do not respond to such a treatment).CDC also recommends GBP for neuropathic pain.FDA also approves it for Nerve pains due to Diabetes or Spinal cord injuries. It works by changing the activity going on in the brain and neurotransmitters. In 30 % of cases, it can be really effective. To some patients(30%) who had pain due to shingles, Neurontin (a type of GBP) is advised and it reduces their pain to 50%. The use of the drug has been increased recently (Get Gabapentin for Nerve Pain).

The types of Gabapentin are:
1) Neurontin
2) Gralise
3) Horizant

Dosage is really a very important criterion. A low dose of Gabapentin for nerve pain can serve the purpose but at the same time, the mental state of the patient should be under check.
The dosage prescribed by doctors depends on :

1) Brand prescribed by the physician
2) The strength of the prescribed medicine
3) The condition of the patient
4) KFT
5) Health of the patient
6) Age of the patient
7) Weight of the patient

Uses of Gabapentin:

1) Preventing Partial Seizures
2) Neurontin can be used in the treatment of epilepsy in adults and children age 3 years or above.
3) RLS can be treated by using Horizant
4) Reduce the pain in Nerves.
5) Psychiatric disorders

Side effects of Gabapentin for Nerve Pain:

1) Drowsiness
2)Confusion
3) Dizziness
The extreme side effects of the drug can be:
1) suicidal thoughts
2)Serious breathing problems can occur
3)extreme dizziness
4)severe weakness
5)Jaundice
6)high fever
7)Rashes on the body
8) Swelling on the lips, throat, tongue, face
9) There is a risk involved that the person is hospitalized for a long time because of his mental state.

Though there are enough reasons why this drug is being prescribed when they are taken along with opioids sometimes very serious breathing problems leading to even death can occur. In 83% of cases, the drug is prescribed in the Non-seizure condition of the patient. So if we try to measure the risks involved and the benefits of the drug, it really is worth reconsidering its use.
Hence it can be concluded that using gabapentin for nerve pain can be effective but as a lot of complications are involved it has raised concerns.