Gralise: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects - Drugs.com

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# Gralise

Generic name: gabapentin [ GA-ba-PEN-tin ]
Drug class: Gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Mar 3, 2021.

## What is Gralise?

Gralise is a prescription medicine that affects chemicals in the body that are involved in some types of pain.

Gralise is used in adults to treat pain from damaged nerves (neuropathic pain) that follows healing of shingles (a painful rash that comes after a herpes zoster infection).

It is not known if Gralise is safe and effective in people with seizure problems (epilepsy).

Gralise is not interchangeable with other gabapentin products.

## Warnings

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Gralise will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Gabapentin can cause life-threatening breathing problems, especially if you already have a breathing disorder or if you use other medicines that can make you drowsy or slow your breathing. Seek emergency medical attention if you have very slow breathing.

Some people have thoughts about suicide or behavior changes while taking Gralise. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

## Before taking this medicine

You should not use Gralise if you are allergic to gabapentin.

To make sure Gralise is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

- breathing problems or lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);

- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

- diabetes;

- depression, a mood disorder, or suicidal thoughts or actions;

- a drug addiction;

- a seizure (unless you take Gralise to treat seizures);

- liver disease;

- heart disease; or

- (for patients with RLS) if you are a day sleeper or work a night shift.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking this medicine. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of gabapentin on the baby.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Gralise pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

## Related/similar drugs

gabapentin, pregabalin, Lyrica, lidocaine topical, Neurontin, Lidoderm

## How should I take Gralise?

Take Gralise exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

If your doctor changes your brand, strength, or type of gabapentin, your dosage needs may change. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the new kind of gabapentin you receive at the pharmacy.

Both Gralise should be taken with food.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Do not stop using Gralise suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you have seizures.

This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.

Store the liquid medicine in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

## Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Postherpetic Neuralgia:

-Gralise should be titrated to 1800 mg orally once daily with the evening meal.
-Recommended titration schedule:
Day 1: 300 mg orally with the evening meal
Day 2: 600 mg orally with the evening meal
Days 3 through 6: 900 mg orally with the evening meal
Days 7 through 10: 1200 mg orally with the evening meal
Days 11 through 14: 1500 mg orally with the evening meal
Day 15: 1800 mg orally with the evening meal
COMMENT:
-Gralise is not interchangeable with other gabapentin products because of differing pharmacokinetic profiles that affect the frequency of administration.

Detailed Gralise dosage information

## What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

## What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

## What to avoid

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Avoid taking an antacid within 2 hours before you take Gralise. Antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb gabapentin.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Gralise.

## Gralise side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Gralise: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, upper stomach pain, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

- weak or shallow breathing;

- blue-colored skin, lips, fingers, and toes;

- confusion, extreme drowsiness or weakness;

- problems with balance or muscle movement;

- unusual or involuntary eye movements; or

- increased seizures.

Gabapentin can cause life-threatening breathing problems. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up. Breathing problems may be more likely in older adults or in people with COPD.

Common Gralise side effects may include:

- fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness;

- jerky movements;

- headache;

- double vision;

- swelling of your legs and feet;

- tremors;

- trouble speaking;

- dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;

- problems with balance or eye movements; or

- nausea, vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Gralise side effects (more detail)

## What other drugs will affect Gralise?

Using Gralise with other drugs that make you drowsy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, cold or allergy medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

other drugs may interact with gabapentin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Gralise drug interactions (more detail)

## Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Gralise only for the indication prescribed.

## Popular FAQ

Does gabapentin help nerve pain?

Gabapentin can help relieve nerve pain in some people with postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles) and peripheral diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain in the feet in people with diabetes). A Cochrane review reported that 3 to 4 patients out of every 10 with either of these conditions experienced at least a 50% reduction in pain intensity when prescribed gabapentin at dosages of 1800mg-3600 mg/day (gabapentin encarbil: 1200mg-3600 mg/day). This compared with only 1 or 2 out of every 10 given a placebo (an inactive treatment). People who had an improvement in pain relief with gabapentin are also expected to experience an improvement in sleep, fatigue, and in their mood. Continue reading

Is gabapentin considered a painkiller?

Gabapentin is commonly used to treat some types of nerve pain but is classified as an anticonvulsant medicine, not as an opioid or painkiller. Gabapentin is used to treat postherpetic neuralgia, a type nerve pain that can occur due to an outbreak of shingles, and restless legs syndrome (RLS), an uncomfortable urge to move your legs around, often at night. Continue reading

Does it cause weight gain?

Gabapentin may cause weight gain, but it is an uncommon side effect. Studies have shown that a small number of people taking gabapentin weight gain. People who do gain weight may gain about 5 pounds after 6 weeks of use. Continue reading

How long does withdrawal last?

Case reports have shown that gabapentin withdrawal can last for 5 to 10 days or longer, but the duration has not been well established in human studies. The symptoms and how long they last depend on how much of the drug you are taking and for how long you’ve been taking it. Continue reading

How long does it take to work?

It can take several weeks for gabapentin to reach its full effect, but this depends on the condition being treated and your individual response to the drug. Continue reading

How does gabapentin make you feel?

Gabapentin may make you feel a little drowsy, dizzy, or clumsy when you first start taking it. You may feel like your thinking is slower. These are common side effects of gabapentin, but they usually get better as your body adjusts to the medication. These reactions are more common if you need to take a high dose. But if you do feel dizzy, unsteady or drowsy, avoid any activities — such as driving or operating machinery — that could be dangerous. Continue reading

### More FAQ

- Lyrica vs Gabapentin: What's the difference?

## More about Gralise (gabapentin)

- Check interactions
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (11)
- Drug images
- Latest FDA alerts (4)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
- Breastfeeding
- En español

### Patient resources

#### Other brands

Neurontin, Gabarone

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Postherpetic Neuralgia

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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