Overview
Gabapentin for facial pain
If you have chronic face pain, we might prescribe you a medicine called gabapentin. Chronic pain (also called persistent pain) is long-term pain that lasts for more than 3 months.
Gabapentin (Neurontin®) is used to treat epilepsy, or to treat nerve pain. Nerve pain can be caused by different illnesses, including diabetes and shingles, or it can happen after an injury. Sometimes, gabapentin is used to treat migraine headaches.
You do not need to have epilepsy for gabapentin to help with pain or migraine.
Gabapentin is only available on prescription. Always follow the amount (dose) prescribed by your doctor, and read the leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Taking an unlicensed medicine
The use of gabapentin for treating chronic facial pain is unlicensed. This means that the manufacturer of the medicine has not specified it can be used in this way, but there is evidence that it works to treat this particular condition.
Read more about unlicensed medicines, or you can contact the pharmacy medicines helpline if you have any questions or concerns.
Taking gabapentin
Gabapentin comes as capsules, tablets, or a liquid that you drink.
- People usually take gabapentin 3 times each day.
- Swallow gabapentin capsules and tablets whole with a drink of water or juice. Do not chew them.
- You can take gabapentin with or without food.
Try to space your doses evenly through the day. For example, first thing in the morning, early afternoon and at bedtime. You can use the example schedule as a guide.
To prevent side effects, your doctor will start you with a low dose, and then increase it over a few weeks as appropriate.
When you find a dose that works for you, it will usually stay the same. The maximum dose is 1,200g, 3 times a day, but not everyone needs to take the maximum dose.
How much to take (dose)
Your doctor will tell you which dose to take and when to take it.
Example schedule
Always follow the advice given by your doctor, even if it's different from this example.
| Week | Morning | Lunchtime | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | -- | -- | 300mg |
| 2 | 300mg | -- | 300mg |
| 3 | 300mg | 300mg | 300mg |
| 4 | 300mg | 300mg | 600mg |
| 5 | 600mg | 300mg | 600mg |
| 6 | 600mg | 600mg | 600mg |
| 7 to 14 | 600mg | 600mg | 800mg |
| 15 to 21 | 800mg | 600mg | 800mg |
| 22 to 28 | 800mg | 800mg | 800mg |
| 29 onwards | 800mg | 1,200mg | 800mg |
If you forget to take the medicine
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's within 2 hours of the next dose, it's better to leave out the missed dose, and take your next dose as normal.
Never take 2 doses at the same time.
Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you often forget doses, it might help to set an alarm to remind you. You can ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you to remember to take your medicine.
Side effects of gabapentin
Like all medicines, gabapentin can cause side effects in some people, but lots of people have no side effects or only minor ones.
You can read more about the side effects of gabapentin on the NHS website.
Common side effects
These common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They're usually mild and go away by themselves.
If these side effects bother you or do not go away, keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor:
- feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy
- feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- diarrhoea
- getting more infections than usual
- mood changes
- swollen arms and legs
- blurred vision
- dry mouth
- difficulties getting an erection
- weight gain (gabapentin can make you feel hungry)
- memory problems
- headaches
Serious side effects
Very few people taking gabapentin have serious problems.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if you:
- get unusual bruises or bleeding (these might be warning signs of a blood disorder)
- get yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes (these might be warning signs of jaundice)
- are feeling sick, being sick, or long-lasting stomach pain (these might be warning signs of an inflamed pancreas)
- have muscle pain or weakness and you're having dialysis treatment because of kidney failure
- are seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)
Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E now if:
- you have any thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life (a few people taking gabapentin have had suicidal thoughts, which can happen after only 1 week of treatment)
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it is possible to have a serious allergic reaction to gabapentin.
Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E now if:
- you get a skin rash that might include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
- you're wheezing
- you get tightness in the chest or throat
- you have trouble breathing or talking
- your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling
These are not all the side effects of gabapentin. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme.
Is gabapentin addictive?
There is a risk that you might become dependent on gabapentin. Withdrawal symptoms (nervousness, mood disturbances, flu-like symptoms) have been seen when treatment is stopped suddenly.
If you have been taking gabapentin for a while and want to stop, your hospital doctor or GP will recommend that you reduce your dose slowly to avoid the risk of these effects.
Do not stop taking gabapentin without talking to your doctor.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Speak to your doctor about taking gabapentin during pregnancy and breastfeeding. They can help you understand the benefits and risks and help you to choose the best treatment for you and your baby.
Your doctor will only prescribe gabapentin if the benefits of taking the medicine are greater than the risks.
More information about pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking gabapentin can be found on the NHS website.
Taking gabapentin with other medicines
There usually are no problems if you mixing gabapentin with other medicines. However, some medicines can interfere with eachother and increase the chances of side effects.
Make sure your doctor knows that you're taking gabadentin before starting or stopping any medicines. This includes medicines you buy from a pharmacy or shop, online, and any herbal remedies.
You should also tell your doctor if you're taking:
- strong painkillers, such as morphine
- medicines that make you feel sleepy or dizzy, including any herbal remedies or supplements, as gabapentin can make these side effects worse.
More information about taking gabapentin with other medicines can be found on the NHS website.
Some indigestion remedies (antacids) reduce the amount of gabapentin that the body absorbs, so it might not work as well. To stop this happening, take the antacid at least 2 hours before or after your dose of gabapentin.
Gabapentin and alcohol
Taking gabapentin with alcohol can increase the risk of drowsiness.
During the first few days of taking gabapentin, it might be best to stop drinking alcohol until you see how the medicine affects you.
Repeat prescriptions
Gabapentin is a controlled medicine. This means there are strict rules on how it's prescribed and dispensed to make sure it's not given to the wrong person or misused.
Your GP will give you a repeat prescription for gabapentin, which you can take to your local pharmacy. Your gabapentin prescription will probably need to be hand signed by a doctor. This can take longer than normal repeat prescriptions.
When you collect gabapentin, your pharmacist will ask for proof of identity such as your passport or driving licence. You'll also be asked to sign the back of your prescription, to confirm that you've received it.
Once your prescription has been written, you'll need to collect your medicine from a pharmacist within 28 days. If you do not, your prescription will become invalid, and you'll need to get a new one.
Make sure you ask for your repeat prescription early so that you do not run out of medicine or miss any doses.
Resource number: 4831/VER2
Last reviewed: June 2026
Next review: June 2029
