Re: pain medication question

Posted By - on February 17, 1999 at 11:05:55:

In Reply to: Re: pain medication question posted by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS on February 16, 1999 at 14:11:43:






I'm currently taking Neurontin for a scalp dysestesia.  I've been on it for two weeks, started at 900mg tid and recently increased to 400mg tid.  I'm having trouble with the sleepiness side effect and was wondering if it will subside in time (I have children to care for and need to be alert).  Also, although it has helped it has not completely eliminated the pain.  Just wondering if you would advise staying on the current dosage and giving it more time to work.  By the way, I had a thorough neurological work-up and everything was negative.  I'm otherwise healthy.  Thank you.





Dear Peggy:
Sorry to hear about your problem.  Although neurontin has few side effects, the one you describe happens to be one.  We usually do not start the medication that high, but the bottom line is that this side effect of sleepiness usually will resolve.  The more sensitive the patient, the slower we usually increase the medication.  The dosage of 400 mg tid is actually a lower dose.  We have used up to 1 gram qid for severe neuropathic pain.  Hang-in there, the sleepiness usually resolves and one can usually increase the dose to eliminate the neuropathic pain.  Best of luck.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro[P] MD