What is Gralise?
The prescription drug Gralise affects the chemicals in the human body that cause certain types of pain.Adults can use Gralise to treat nerve pain (neuropathic) following the healing of herpes zister.Gralise may be safe and effective for people with epilepsy (seizure disorders).Gralise cannot be substituted with any other gabapentin product.
Warnings
Gralise can cause you to feel dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you are sure how they will affect you. Drowsiness or dizziness may result in accidents that result in serious injuries, leading to accidents and unexpected outcomes.Gabapentin may cause breathing problems that are life-threatening, especially if your breathing is already affected or you take other medications that make you drowsy. If you experience very slow breathing, seek emergency medical attention.Gralise may cause suicidal thoughts in certain individuals and lead to behavior changes or altering. Be alert to any changes in mood or symptoms. Notify your doctor of any new symptoms or symptoms that worsen.
Before you take this drug
Gralise should not be used if you have an allergy to gabapentin.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Gralise will be safe for you:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease or breathing problem.
- Kidney disease (or dialysis if you have it);
- Diabetes;
- Depression or a mental disorder;
- A drug abuse
- Assume you may experience seizures (unless using Gralise for treating seizures); treat seizures accordingly.
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- If you work night shifts or are a day sleeper, this is important for patients with RLS.
Taking this medication can cause some people to have suicidal thoughts. Be alert to any changes in mood or symptoms. Notify your doctor of any new symptoms or symptoms that worsen.This medicine is not known to harm a baby in utero.As soon as you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your physician.You may find your name on a registry for pregnant women to monitor the effects of gabapentin.You should ask your doctor if there is any risk to breastfeeding while taking this medication.
Similar/related drugs
gabapentin, pregabalin, lyrica, lidocaine topical, neurontin, and topical capsaicin
How to take Gralise?
Gralise should be taken exactly as prescribed by your physician. Please carefully adhere to all instructions listed on your prescription label. Take this medication only as prescribed. Do not exceed the recommended dosage or take it for a longer time.Your dosage may change if your doctor changes the brand, strength, or type of gabapentin that you are taking.Gralise and food should be taken together.Avoid chewing, crushing, breaking or opening the tablet.Measuring liquid medicine is important. Use the provided dosing device or a dose-measuring tool (not a spoon).Gralise should not be stopped suddenly, even if it is working well. Sudden stopping may increase seizures. Follow your doctor's recommendations regarding dosage reduction.Wear or carry medical identification in case of an emergency to alert others that you are experiencing seizures.This medication could produce unexpected results on certain medical tests.Inform any doctor that you see about your use of this medication.Store away from moisture and light at room temperature.Keep the liquid medicines in the fridge. Do not freeze.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for postherpetic neuralgia:
-Gralise can be taken orally, once daily at dinner.
Recommended titration schedule
Day 1: Take 300 mg with your evening meal.
Day 2: 600mg orally at dinner
Day 3 to 6: 900 mg taken orally at night
Day 7 and 10: Take 1200 mg with your evening meal.
Day 11 and 14: Take 1500 mg with your evening meal.
Day 15: Take 1800 mg with your evening meal.
COMMENT:
-Gralise cannot be interchanged with other gabapentin drugs due to the differences in pharmacokinetic profiles, which affect the frequency of administration.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect poison, or seek immediate medical care.
What should be avoided?
Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how the medicine will affect you. You may have impaired reactions. Drowsiness or dizziness can result in accidents that lead to serious injuries.Avoid taking antacids within 2 hours of taking Gralise. Antacids may make gabapentin absorption more difficult.Gralise should not be taken with alcohol.
Side effects of Gralise
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or hives, seek emergency medical attention.If you experience a severe drug reaction, seek medical attention. This can include: a skin rash; fever; swollen lymph glands; muscle aches and pains; severe weakness; unusual bruises or bruising on the upper stomach area; or yellowing in your skin or your eyes.You should tell your doctor if any symptoms worsen or change, including changes in mood or behaviour, anxiety, panic attacks, or trouble sleeping. Also, you may feel impulsive or hyperactive, depressed or angry, or hostile or aggressive.
If you experience:
- Weak or shallow breathing
- Blue-coloured lips, skin, fingers, and toes
- Confusion, extreme weakness, or drowsiness;
- Problems with muscle or balance movement
- Unusual or involuntary movements of the eye
- Increased seizures.
Gabapentin may cause breathing problems that are life-threatening. Someone caring for you must seek immediate medical attention if your breathing is slow with long pauses or you have blue lips. Breathing issues may be more common in older adults and people with COPD.
Gralise may cause side effects such as:
- Fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, and unusual fatigue
- Jerky movements;
- Headache;
- Double vision
- Swelling of the legs and feet
- Tremors;
- Trouble speaking
- Dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;
- Problems with eye movement or balance;
- Nausea, vomiting.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
Do not use Gralise in conjunction with any other drug that makes you drowsy, slows your breathing, or causes anxiety.Other drugs, such as herbal products, vitamins, and prescription medicines, may interact with gabapentin. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you stop or start using.
