Adults Dosage
Adults are usually initiated with a dose of 300 milligrams as a single dose at night. The dose can be adjusted by the doctor based on individual needs and tolerance. The typical range for starting dosage varies from 10 mg/kg/day to 15 mg/kg/day‚ administered in three divided doses. Gradually titrate the dose to reach a maintenance dose between 900 to 1800 mg/day. It is important to take the medication with the evening meal for optimal effectiveness;
Starting Dose Range for Adults and Children
The typical starting dose range for adults and children with gabapentin varies from 10 mg/kg/day to 15 mg/kg/day‚ administered in three divided doses. For adults‚ the starting dose is often 300 mg as a single dose at night. The maintenance dose typically ranges between 900 to 1800 mg/day‚ adjusted based on individual needs and tolerability.
Treatment of Seizures and Postherpetic Neuralgia
Gabapentin can be used to treat seizures and postherpetic neuralgia. For adults with postherpetic neuralgia‚ the initial dose may start at 300 mg on day 1‚ increase to 600 mg/day on day 2‚ and further to 900 mg/day on day 3. The maintenance dose can be titrated up to 1800 mg/day if needed. When treating seizures‚ the typical starting dosage for adults and children is 300 mg three times a day‚ and the maintenance dose ranges from 300 mg to 600 mg three times a day.
Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism
All pharmacological actions following gabapentin administration are due to the activity of the parent compound; gabapentin is not appreciably metabolized in humans. The oral bioavailability of gabapentin is not dose-proportional‚ meaning that as the dose increases‚ the bioavailability decreases. This indicates a unique pharmacokinetic profile for gabapentin in humans.
Pediatric Patients Dosage
For pediatric patients aged 12 years and older‚ the recommended effective dose of Neurontin is between 900 to 1800 mg per day‚ administered in divided doses throughout the day. This dosage can be achieved using 300 mg or 400 mg capsules‚ or 600 mg or 800 mg tablets. The starting dose for pediatric patients typically begins at 300 mg three times a day‚ with the option to increase the dose as necessary.
Extended-Release Formulations
Gabapentin enacarbil extended-release tablets‚ such as Horizant‚ are available for specific conditions like postherpetic neuralgia and restless legs syndrome. The recommended dosage for Horizant is typically 600 mg orally taken twice a day. These extended-release formulations offer a convenient dosing regimen for patients requiring around-the-clock management of their conditions.
Forms of Gabapentin
Gabapentin is available in various forms‚ including capsules‚ tablets‚ and solutions. The immediate-release formulation‚ Neurontin‚ is commonly used for treating seizures and postherpetic neuralgia. Additionally‚ extended-release formulations like Horizant cater to specific conditions like postherpetic neuralgia and restless legs syndrome‚ offering patients convenient dosing options.