Gabapentin oral capsule interactions: A detailed guide

This article describes possible interactions with gabapentin oral capsule. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.

To find coupon options for gabapentin and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.

Other drugs and gabapentin

Drugs that may interact with gabapentin oral capsule are listed below. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with gabapentin.

Drugs that may interact with gabapentin oral capsule include:

• opioid drugs:
  • drug examples: oxycodone (Roxicodone, OxyContin, others), hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
  • what might happen: increases the risk of side effects from gabapentin and opioids, including severe ones such as respiratory depression (slow, shallow breathing)
• benzodiazepine drugs:
  • drug examples: alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin)
  • what might happen: increases the risk of side effects, including severe side effects such as respiratory depression
• muscle relaxers:
  • drug examples: baclofen (Lyvispah, others), metaxalone
  • what might happen: can cause severe central nervous system (CNS) depression, leading to symptoms such as severe sleepiness
• sedatives (sleep drugs):
  • drug examples: eszopiclone (Lunesta), zolpidem (Ambien)
  • what might happen: can cause severe CNS depression, leading to symptoms such as severe sleepiness
• certain antipsychotic drugs:
  • drug examples: haloperidol (Haldol), chlorpromazine
  • what might happen: can cause severe CNS depression, leading to symptoms such as severe sleepiness
• carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet, others):
  • what might happen: can cause severe CNS depression, leading to symptoms such as severe sleepiness
• aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox):
  • what might happen: can make gabapentin less effective
• methocarbamol (Robaxin):
  • what might happen: can cause severe CNS depression, leading to symptoms such as severe sleepiness

When to avoid gabapentin

Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with gabapentin oral capsule. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe gabapentin in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.

Here’s a contraindication for gabapentin oral capsule:

• Past allergic reaction to gabapentin. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to gabapentin oral capsule in the past, taking gabapentin oral capsule may cause the same reaction.

Before starting treatment with gabapentin, tell your doctor if the above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take gabapentin and discuss any gabapentin warnings with you.

Other interactions and gabapentin

Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether gabapentin oral capsule has these interactions.

The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with gabapentin.

Gabapentin and food

Gabapentin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking gabapentin oral capsule.

Gabapentin and supplements

Before taking gabapentin oral capsule, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Gabapentin interactions with herbs

Gabapentin oral capsule may interact with valerian root. This herb is often used to help with sleep.

Taking gabapentin and valerian may cause excessive sleepiness. So you might fall asleep during the day.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking valerian root or any other herbs during treatment with gabapentin oral capsule.

Gabapentin interactions with vitamins

Gabapentin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with gabapentin oral capsule.

Gabapentin and vaccines

Gabapentin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines during treatment with gabapentin oral capsule.

Gabapentin and lab tests

Gabapentin oral capsule may interact with a urine test that’s used to check for protein in the urine. This test is called the Ames N-Multistix SG dipstick test.

Taking gabapentin and having this test may lead to a false positive test result. With a false positive result, a test shows that a substance is present when it actually isn’t.

Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having the above test while taking gabapentin oral capsule.

Gabapentin and cannabis or CBD

Reports have shown that cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products may interact with gabapentin. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.

Taking gabapentin and cannabis may lead to central nervous system depression, which can be mild or severe. Symptoms can include:

• sleepiness
• dizziness
• slurred speech

Before you take gabapentin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Alcohol and gabapentin

Gabapentin oral capsule is known to interact with alcohol.

Taking gabapentin oral capsule and drinking alcohol may cause central nervous system depression, which can be mild or severe. Symptoms can include:

• sleepiness
• dizziness
• slurred speech

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with gabapentin oral capsule.

Health factors and gabapentin

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with gabapentin oral capsule. Before taking gabapentin, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether gabapentin is right for you.

Here’s a list of health conditions or other factors that might interact with gabapentin oral capsule:

• breathing or lung conditions, such as asthma
• depression or other mood disorders, including suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• diabetes
• kidney conditions
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• past allergic reaction to gabapentin

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Preventing gabapentin interactions

You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with gabapentin oral capsule. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.

Things to consider include:

• Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
• What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug during your gabapentin oral capsule treatment.

Taking gabapentin exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.

What to ask your doctor

If you have questions about gabapentin and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

• Can I still take gabapentin even if it may affect a health condition that I have?
• Should I tell you if I start taking another medication or supplement while taking gabapentin?
• If I take an antacid drug, would you recommend spacing out my doses to avoid interactions with gabapentin?
• How do interactions with gabapentin compare with other drugs that can treat my condition?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.