Gabapentin Dosage Chart, Gabapentin Dosage for Adults and Gabapentin Dosage for Children

Gabapentin is a generic prescription drug that is FDA-approved as an add-on treatment with other medications for partial seizures in those with epilepsy.

It can also be used to treat nerve pain from postherpetic neuralgia (a complication of shingles). Gabapentin is frequently prescribed off-label for many other conditions, such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and alcohol dependence.

Gabapentin is typically prescribed as a generic, but the drug is also available under the brand names Neurontin and Gralise. Some patients may be prescribed drugs very similar to gabapentin—such as Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil) or Lyrica (pregabalin)—instead of gabapentin.

Gabapentin is taken as a tablet, capsule, or oral liquid. Dosing will depend on the condition being treated, age of the person being treated, and kidney function. The usual dose for epilepsy starts at 300 mg on the first day. The dose can then be increased until an effective dose is reached, which is usually 300 to 600mg taken three times per day.

Gabapentin dosage forms and strengths

 

Gabapentin is taken by mouth as a tablet, capsule, or oral solution.

    • Tablets: 600 or 800 mg per tablet
    • Capsules: 100, 300, or 400 mg per capsule
    • Liquid: 250 mg per 5 milliliters (ml) oral liquid

Gabapentin dosage for adults

For adults, the gabapentin dosage can vary widely depending on the condition being treated. Upon starting treatment with gabapentin, the starting dose may be 100 to 300 mg per day and steadily increase until an effective dose is reached. The maximum dosage will depend on the condition being treated.

  • Standard gabapentin dosage for adults: 300-600 mg taken three times per day.
  • Maximum gabapentin dosage for adults: 1200 mg taken three times per day for a maximum daily dose of 3600 mg.

Gabapentin dosage for children

Gabapentin is FDA approved as a secondary treatment for partial seizures in children 3 years or older with epilepsy. The use of gabapentin in children for any other medical condition is not FDA-approved. Dosing will be determined by both the child’s age and weight.

by both the child’s age and weight.

Gabapentin dosage by age for children older than 3 years
Age (yr) Recommended dosage
3-4 yrs 40 mg per kg (18.2 mg/lb) of body weight divided into three dosesMaximum: 50 mg per kg (22.7 mg/lb) of body weight daily
5-11 yrs 20-35 mg per kg (9.1-15.9 mg/lb) of body weight divided into three dosesMaximum: 50 mg per kg (22.7 mg/lb) of body weight daily
12 yrs or older 300-600 mg taken three times per dayMaximum: 3600 mg per day

 

 

Gabapentin dosage chart
Indication Age Standard dosage Maximum dosage
Partial seizures
12 years and older 300-600 mg three times per day 3600 mg per day
5-11 years 25-35 mg/kg (11.4-15.9 mg/lb) per day divided into three daily doses 50 mg/kg (22.7 mg/lb) per day
3-4 years 40 mg/kg (18.2 mg/lb) per day divided into three daily doses 50 mg/kg (22.7 mg/lb) per day
Postherpetic neuralgia 18 years and older 300 mg on day 1, 300 mg twice daily on day 2, then 300 mg three times daily on day 3; dosage may be further increased after day 3 to 600 mg three times per day 1800 mg per day
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy 18 years and older 300-1200 mg three times per day (off-label) 3600 mg per day
Fibromyalgia 18 years and older 600 mg twice daily and 1200 mg at bedtime (off-label) 2400 mg per day
Alcohol dependence 18 years and older 300-600 mg three times per day (off-label) 1800 mg per day

Gabapentin dosage for partial seizures

Gabapentin is FDA approved as adjunctive therapy for partial seizures in adults and children 3 years of age or older.

  • Standard gabapentin dosage for adults: 300 to 600 mg taken three times per day by mouth.
  • Maximum gabapentin dosage for adults: 3600 mg daily in three divided doses.
  • Renally impaired patients (kidney disease)—dose amount and dose frequency adjustment:
    1. Creatinine clearance of 30-59 ml/min: 200 to 700 mg twice per day
    2. Creatinine clearance of 16-29 ml/min: 200 to 700 mg once per day
    3. Creatinine clearance of 15 ml/min or less: 100 to 300 mg once per day decreased proportionately (1/15 per whole number value) for each decrease in creatinine clearance
    4. Hemodialysis: dose is dependent on estimated creatinine clearance; a supplemental dose of 125 to 350 mg is given after dialysis

Gabapentin dosage for nerve pain due to shingles (postherpetic neuralgia)

Gabapentin is FDA approved to treat postherpetic neuralgia, that is, neuropathic pain due to shingles (herpes zoster).

  • Standard gabapentin dosage for adults: 300 to 600 mg taken three times per day by mouth.
  • Maximum gabapentin dosage for adults: 1800 mg daily in three divided doses.
  • Renally impaired patients (kidney disease): See dosage for renal impaired patients above

Gabapentin dosage for neuropathic pain

Gabapentin is most frequently prescribed off-label to treat nerve pain (neuralgia) due to nerve damage (neuropathy), compression, or irritation.

  • Standard gabapentin dosage for adults: 300 to 1200 mg taken three times per day by mouth.
  • Maximum gabapentin dosage for adults: 3600 mg daily in three divided doses.
  • Renally impaired patients (kidney disease): See dosage for renal impaired patients above

Gabapentin dosage for fibromyalgia

Gabapentin is used off-label to reduce fatigue, provide pain relief, and improve sleep in patients with fibromyalgia.

  • Standard gabapentin dosage for adults: 600 mg twice daily and 1200 mg at bedtime.
  • Maximum gabapentin dosage for adults: 2400 mg daily.
  • Renally impaired patients (kidney disease): See dosage for renal impaired patients above

Gabapentin dosage for alcohol dependence

Gabapentin is widely used off-label to reduce insomnia and cravings in people with alcohol use disorder, particularly those in the maintenance phase of alcohol abstinence.

  • Standard gabapentin dosage for adults: 300 to 600 mg taken three times per day by mouth.
  • Maximum gabapentin dosage for adults: 1800 mg daily in three divided doses.
  • Renally impaired patients (kidney disease): See dosage for renal impaired patients above

Gabapentin dosage for pets

You should not give gabapentin to animals unless a veterinarian has given the animal a prescription for gabapentin. Veterinarians frequently prescribe gabapentin to treat seizures or chronic nerve pain in pets and large animals. The recommended dose is 5-10 mg per kilogram of body weight (2.3-4.5 mg/lb) every 12 hours, but dosing will vary between veterinarians. Gabapentin dosages can vary from 3 to 11 mg per kilogram (1.4 to 5 mg per pound) as an analgesic to 10 to 30 mg mg per kilogram (4.5 to 13.6 per pound) as an anticonvulsant. As with people, the dose may start small and steadily increase until an effective dose is reached.

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