Gabapentin enacarbil (Oral)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 25, 2021.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Horizant

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet, Extended Release

Therapeutic Class: Analgesic

Chemical Class: Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (class)

Uses for gabapentin enacarbil

Gabapentin enacarbil is used to treat moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). RLS is a neurologic disorder that makes the legs feel uncomfortable. This results in an irresistible feeling of wanting to move your legs to make them comfortable.

Gabapentin enacarbil is also used to manage a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which is pain that occurs after shingles.

Gabapentin enacarbil is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using gabapentin enacarbil

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For gabapentin enacarbil, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to gabapentin enacarbil or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of gabapentin enacarbil in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of gabapentin enacarbil in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving gabapentin enacarbil.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking gabapentin enacarbil, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using gabapentin enacarbil with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acepromazine
• Alfentanil
• Alprazolam
• Amobarbital
• Anileridine
• Aripiprazole
• Asenapine
• Baclofen
• Benperidol
• Benzhydrocodone
• Bromazepam
• Buprenorphine
• Buspirone
• Butabarbital
• Butorphanol
• Calcifediol
• Calcium Oxybate
• Cann...