Taking Gabapentin For Back Pain. Falling Asleep. What To Do?

Posted on Sun, 20 Oct 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 20 Oct 2013 Answered on

Tue, 12 Nov 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband has been taking the pill Gabapentin for about a month for back pain it seems to zap him and he has been falling asleep at different times this morning he fell into a deep sleep this has me worried should he go off the pill

Answered by Dr. Dr. Basheer Ahamed (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Gabapentin is sedative effects.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for your query.

Gabapentin is an antiepileptic drug. It effects chemicals in the nerves and help in prevent the pain and seizures.

It acts centrally on the brain and has sedative effect.
This is the reason for sleep in your husband.

If this sedative effect of Gabapentin affects the day to day activity of your husband then it may be stopped and other non sedative drugs can be use with the help of your doctor.

Hope the answer helps you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T