Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Gabapentin Pfizer.

It does not contain all of the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Gabapentin Pfizer against the benefits it is expected to have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What Gabapentin Pfizer is used for

What Gabapentin Pfizer does

Gabapentin Pfizer is used to control epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition where you have repeated seizures (fits). There are many types of seizures, ranging from mild to severe.

Gabapentin Pfizer is also used to treat neuropathic pain, a type of pain caused by damage to the nerves.

This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants.

How Gabapentin Pfizer works

This medicine is thought to work by controlling brain chemicals which send signals to nerves to help control seizures or neuropathic pain.

Gabapentin Pfizer also has pain relieving effects.

Your doctor may have prescribed Gabapentin Pfizer in addition to other medicines that you are taking. This may be necessary if your current treatment is no longer working as well.

Your doctor may also have prescribed Gabapentin Pfizer for another reason.

Gabapentin Pfizer may lead to dependence on this medicine.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.

Use in children

There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine in children:

• under the age of 3 years to control epilepsy, or
• under the age of 18 years for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Before you take Gabapentin Pfizer

When you must not take it

Do not take Gabapentin Pfizer if you have an allergy to:

• any medicine containing gabapentin, the active ingredient in Gabapentin Pfizer
• any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

• shortness of breath
• wheezing or difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
• rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Do not take Gabapentin Pfizer after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies to:

• any other medicines, especially barbiturates, or other anticonvulsant medicines
• any other substances, such as foods, dyes or preservatives.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

• kidney problems
• mixed seizure disorders, that include absence seizures.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Gabapentin Pfizer may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy. However, it is very important to control your fits while you are pregnant. If it is necessary for you to take Gabapentin Pfizer, your doctor can help you decide whether or not to take it during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. Gabapentin Pfizer passes into breast milk. The effect on your breast-fed baby is unknown.

If you do breast-feed, watch your baby carefully. If your baby develops a skin rash, becomes sleepy or has unusual symptoms, don’t breast-feed again until you speak to your doctor.

Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits of breast-feeding with you.

If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Gabapentin Pfizer.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including:

• all prescription medicines
• all medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements or natural therapies you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket, naturopath or health food shop.

Some medicines may be affected by Gabapentin Pfizer or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you accordingly.

Tell your doctor of pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:

• cimetidine, a medicine used to treat stomach or duodenal ulcers
• antacids, medicines used to treat heartburn or reflux
• opioids, medicines used to relieve severe pain e.g. morphine.

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Gabapentin Pfizer.

How to take Gabapentin Pfizer

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

Your doctor will tell you how many capsules/tablets you need to take each day. This may depend on your age, your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.

Your doctor may recommend that you start with a low dose of Gabapentin Pfizer and slowly increase the dose to the lowest amount needed to control your epilepsy/convulsions or neuropathic pain.

How to take it

Swallow the Gabapentin Pfizer whole with a full glass of water. Gabapentin Pfizer tablets can be divided in half along the breakline, if advised by your doctor or pharmacist.

When to take it

Take Gabapentin Pfizer at about the same time each day. Taking Gabapentin Pfizer at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you to remember when to take the capsules/tablets.

If you are taking Gabapentin Pfizer three times a day, do not allow more than 12 hours to pass between doses.

It does not matter if you take Gabapentin Pfizer before or after food.

How long to take it

Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you to. Gabapentin Pfizer helps control your condition, but does not cure it. Therefore you must take your medicine every day, even if you feel well.

Do not stop taking Gabapentin Pfizer, or lower the dose, without checking with your doctor. Do not let yourself run out of medicine over the weekend or holidays. Stopping Gabapentin Pfizer suddenly may cause unwanted side effects or make your condition worse. Your doctor will slowly reduce your dose before you can stop taking it completely.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for your next dose (within 4 hours), skip the dose you missed and take the next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then go back to taking Gabapentin Pfizer as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. This may increase your chance of getting an unwanted side effect.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for help.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Gabapentin Pfizer.

Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.

Symptoms of an overdose may include you falling unconscious, feeling drowsy, weak, unsteady when walking, having double vision, slurred speech or diarrhoea.

While you are taking Gabapentin Pfizer

Things you must do

If you are about to start on any new medicine, remind your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Gabapentin Pfizer.

Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking Gabapentin Pfizer.

If you are going to have surgery or emergency treatment, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking Gabapentin Pfizer.

Tell your doctor immediately if you have any thoughts of suicide or self harm, any unusual changes in mood or behaviour, or show signs of depression. Some people being treated with anti-epileptics, such as Gabapentin Pfizer, have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves.

Patients and caregivers should be alert and monitor for signs and symptoms of suicide, these include:

• thoughts or talk of death or suicide
• thoughts or talk of self-harm or harm to others
• any recent attempts of self-harm
• new or an increase in aggressive behaviour, irritability or agitation
• new onset of or worsening of depression.

Mention of suicide or violence must be taken seriously.

If you or someone you know is demonstrating these warning signs and symptoms of suicide while taking Gabapentin Pfizer, contact your doctor or a mental health professional right away.

Tell your doctor if you feel Gabapentin Pfizer is not helping your condition. Your doctor may need to change your medicine.

Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken Gabapentin Pfizer exactly as prescribed. Otherwise, your doctor may change your treatment unnecessarily.

If you become pregnant while taking Gabapentin Pfizer, tell your doctor immediately.

If you need to have any medical tests while you are taking Gabapentin Pfizer, tell your doctor. It may interfere with the results of some tests.

If you are going to have any surgery or procedure, including dental surgery, tell your surgeon, doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments so that your progress can be checked. Your doctor will check your progress and may want to take some tests from time to time. This helps to prevent unwanted side effects.

Things you must not do

Do not take Gabapentin Pfizer to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give Gabapentin Pfizer to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours or they have the same condition as you.

Do not stop taking Gabapentin Pfizer, or lower the dose, without checking with your doctor. Stopping Gabapentin Pfizer suddenly, if you have epilepsy, may cause unwanted side effects or make your condition worse. Your doctor will slowly reduce your dose before you can stop taking it completely.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Gabapentin Pfizer affects you. As with other anticonvulsant medicines, Gabapentin Pfizer may cause drowsiness, dizziness, light-headedness or sleepiness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to Gabapentin Pfizer before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or light-headed. If any of these occur, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Children should not ride a bike, climb trees or do anything else that could be dangerous if they are feeling drowsy or sleepy.

Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Gabapentin Pfizer. Combining Gabapentin Pfizer and alcohol can make you more sleepy, dizzy or light-headed. Your doctor may suggest you avoid alcohol while you are taking Gabapentin Pfizer.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Gabapentin Pfizer. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time these are not. You may need medical attention if you get some side effects.

It can be difficult to tell whether side effects are the result of taking Gabapentin Pfizer, your condition; or side effects of other medicines you may be taking, for this reason it is important to tell your doctor of any change in your condition.

If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

If you get any side effects, do not stop taking Gabapentin Pfizer without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor if…

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

• dizziness* or light-headedness
• feeling tired or drowsy*
• unfriendliness*
• unusually overactive*
• forgetfulness, loss of concentration or confusion
• difficulty speaking
• changes in your weight*
• constipation, diarrhoea
• nausea and/or vomiting*, indigestion
• dry mouth, red swollen gums
• muscle pain or cramps, back pain
• swelling of the hands or feet
• runny or blocked nose
• fever*
• bronchitis*, lung infection
• sore throat and discomfort when swallowing, coughing.

The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually mild and short-lived.

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if…

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

• weakness, unsteadiness when walking including falling, reduced coordination or slowed reactions
• unusual changes in mood* or behaviour such as nervousness, restlessness or excitement
• signs of new onset of, or increased irritability or agitation
• signs of depression
• seeing or hearing things that are not there, irrational thinking
• blurred or double vision, uncontrollable jerky eye movements, difficulty seeing
• signs of frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers.

The side effects in the above lists marked * have been specifically reported in children taking Gabapentin Pfizer.

Go to hospital if…

Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

• more frequent or more severe seizures (fits)
• chest pain, a very fast heart rate
• sudden signs of an allergy, such as rash, itching or hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing.

The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.

Some of these side effects (for example, changes in thyroid function, structure of bones, high cholesterol, levels of sugar in your blood or blood pressure) can only be found when your doctor does blood tests from time to time to check your progress.

Do not be alarmed by the list of possible side effects.

You may not experience any of them.

After taking Gabapentin Pfizer

Storage

Keep your capsules/tablets in the pack until it is time to take them. If you take the capsules/tablets out of the pack they may not keep well.

Keep your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.

Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store Gabapentin Pfizer or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave Gabapentin Pfizer in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking Gabapentin Pfizer, or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.

Product description

What it looks like

Capsules

• 100 mg – White capsule imprinted with G and 5026 in blue ink.
• 300 mg – Yellow capsule imprinted with G and 5027 in blue ink.
• 400 mg – Orange capsule imprinted with G and 5028 in blue ink.

Each pack contains 100 capsules.

Tablets
800 mg – White, elliptical, film-coated tablets, with bisecting score on both sides and debossed with “NT” and “26” on one side.

Each pack contains 100 tablets.

Ingredients

Active ingredient

• Gabapentin Pfizer 100 mg capsules – 100 mg gabapentin.
• Gabapentin Pfizer 300 mg capsules – 300 mg gabapentin.
• Gabapentin Pfizer 400 mg capsules – 400 mg gabapentin.
• Gabapentin Pfizer 800 mg tablets – 800 mg gabapentin.

Other capsule ingredients:

• lactose
• maize starch
• purified talc
• gelatin
• titanium dioxide (E171)
• iron oxide yellow CI77492 (E172) [Gabapentin Pfizer 300 mg and 400 mg only]
• iron oxide red CI77491 (E172) [Gabapentin Pfizer 400 mg only]
• Opacode Blue S-1-4118.

Other tablet ingredients:

• poloxamer
• copovidone
• maize starch
• magnesium stearate
• candelilla wax
• Opadry White YS-1-18111.

Gabapentin Pfizer does not contain sucrose, tartrazine, gluten or any other azo dyes.

Supplier

Gabapentin Pfizer is supplied in Australia by:
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
ABN 50 008 422 348
38-42 Wharf Road
West Ryde NSW 2114
Australia

Toll Free Number: 1800 675 229

Australian Registration Numbers

• Gabapentin Pfizer 100 mg – AUST R 80334
• Gabapentin Pfizer 300 mg – AUST R 80335
• Gabapentin Pfizer 400 mg – AUST R 80336
• Gabapentin Pfizer 800 mg – AUST R 80337

This leaflet was prepared in September 2014.

© Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd 2014.

® Registered Trademark

Published by MIMS February 2015

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