Gabapentin - Neurontin
What is it?
Gabapentin is a medication used to treat some types of pain, as well as anxiety issues. It can provide relaxation and reduction of stress for sudden scary events such as vet visits. It works by reducing the amount of chemical signalling in the brain from multiple neurotransmitters.
How is it used?
For many pets that find the clinic frightening, Gabapentin can be helpful to provide deeper relaxation and anxiety relief to make the visit less scary. If a pet can have a few visits without feeling scared, they often start to realise that the visits are not so bad, and they feel better. In other situations, we may use Gabapentin to provide relaxation for at home situations that cause anxiety. It can also be used to help reduce neuropathic (nerve pain)
How is it given?
Gabapentin comes as a capsule with powder, or a liquid. The capsule can be broken and sprinkled into food, or mixed with water or food, and syringed into your pet’s mouth. Some animals will find the taste a bit odd and might salivate, however most pets will not notice the flavour. Gabapentin is normally given 1-2 hours before stressful events (eg visitors, vet visits etc.). In some pets, we recommend giving an extra dose the night before the visit.
What are the effects?
Some pets may feel a little sleepy, and others may be a little more hungry when taking Gabapentin. The effects are normally short lived, and in most pets only last for a few hours. In many pets, they may be sleepy at home once they are no longer in a stressful situation.
Can I use this medication with other supplements?
Speak to your vet if you have any other concerns, but Gabapentin is appreciated to be an extremely safe medicine to use alongside lots of other medicines.
Where do I get it?
As a human medicine, Gabapentin is available through a human pharmacy with a script. All vet clinics will carry this medication.
Off label use
In Australia, we only have only one medication registered for treating behaviour problems. This means many of the medications we use are considered ‘off label’. These medications still have excellent evidence for their use, and lots of data about their effects and side effects, however it is essential that you feel well informed about their off label use. Please read all the information thoroughly to ensure you feel well informed about the risks and benefits of using this medication.