Neurontin: "What are you using it for?"

[passing thru]

In the 5-6 years that I have seen the docs prescribing neurontin, it seems I see it prescribed for a wider and wider variety of patients (diagnoses.)

I have looked it up in the PDR.

What have you all actually heard the docs say they are prescribing it for?

What are they hoping it will do?

Which type of patient benefits the most from it?

Or have you seen a benefit?

[rileygrl11, BSN, RN]

I was surprised to see it given daily for prevention/reduction of migraines. Also have two RN's on my unit who take it daily for migraines.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

My sister takes it for neck and nerve pain. She says it's a miracle drug for her, after years of suffering.

[lucianne]

I'm surprised that it is still being prescribed as a mood stabilizer. There is no clinical evidence that it is effective. There was a controversy a couple of years ago about drug reps "pushing" neurontin as an MS without any scientific basis. Here's a link about neurontin:

http://www.psycheducation.com/depression/meds/neurontin.htm

luci

[altomga, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN]

pretty much the same as the above posts:)

[passing thru]

Thanks for all the interesting replies.

This BB is so great for learning. This question came to me when

I noticed it was prescribed for two patients , both of whom had a diagnosis of Alzheimers.

I didn't see the prescribing doc to ask if it helps, or if it is one of those meds they are "hoping will help, and probably won't do any harm."

[lucianne]

I think it's one of those meds with aggressive drug reps.

[nursemouse]

I'm taking it myself for right facial neuralgia and atypical migraines. Sometimes I don't think it helps, but if I try to taper off of it, I realize how much better the pain is with it.

[live4today, RN]

My husband use to take it for his back pain before his operation. I suppose it helped, but at the same time he was on several other medications so hard to say how effective neurontin would have been by itself.

I, too, see it prescribed quite often for various reasons....many of the reasons already mentioned.

[prmenrs, RN]

I take it for mood stabilization, along w/an anti-depressant (effexor), and YES, it does too help. This is the best I've felt in years.

But it sure doesn't do anything for my back pain.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Wow I have never heard of it being given for mood stabilization. Learn something new every day as a nurse!

renerian

[Dave ARNP]

If you check the new studies out, Neurontin is said to be completely ineffective as a mood stabilizer.

Do a search...

One research even said that using it for BPD was equal to not providing care.

David Adams, ARNP

-ACNP, FNP

:roll

[Lanegirl]

I get chronic migraines and I take Neurontin for that. So far, it is the only medication that has helped. When I have my migraines I take 1800 mg.