Gabapentin Dosage Calculator

Gabapentin is not a narcotic — its molecule is similar to one of the substances present in our brains, called GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid). GABA itself serves as a calming neurotransmitter — it inhibits the activity of neuronal cells.

Gabapentin, however, works in a completely different way than its cousin — it inhibits the release of excitatory neurotransmitters — substances that stimulate our brain.

💣 It does not cause addiction or dependence, although it may increase the effect of other drugs and is often misused by people addicted to different kinds of narcotics.

Gabapentin can be used for various disorders — lots of these uses are off-label, which means that they haven't been adequately tested in major clinical trials. Yet, they do show efficacy in everyday clinical practice, as confirmed by many doctors' experience.

The most common form of this drug is Gabapentin 300 mg capsule, sold as Neurontin; pharmacies offer a variety of different strengths and forms: 100 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg, 800 mg. Gabapentin is sold as tablets, capsules, or oral solution (→ our liquid drug dosage calculator will help you with all the calculations 💧).

1. Gabapentin dosage for pain 📌

   This includes:

   • Gabapentin dosage for chronic pain
   • Gabapentin for sciatica
   • Gabapentin for fibromyalgia (off-label)
   • Postherpetic neuralgia
   • Peripheral neuropathy

   So what dosage of gabapentin for nerve pain do we usually need?

   Typical efficient dose: 900 mg/day, given in 3 doses per 300 mg.

2. Gabapentin for epilepsy (seizures) 🕹️

   Typical maintenance dose for adults: 900-1,800 mg/day, divided into three doses.

3. Gabapentin dosage for anxiety (off-label) 🕷️

   Studies showed that gabapentin could be efficient for this indication when taken in dosage greater than 900 mg/day.

4. Gabapentin for the restless leg syndrome 👣

   Typical dosage: 600 mg/day, a single dose taken in the evening with food.

5. Gabapentin dosage for sleep (off-label) 🛌

   Starting dose: usually 300-600 mg/day, a single dose before sleep.

Looking for different pain treatments? Try our variety of tools & easy-to-understand articles, such as the paracetamol dosage calculator and ibuprofen dosage calculator.

❗ Max dose of gabapentin ranges from 1,800 to 3,600 mg/day and is different for particular indications. Check our tool on the left to find out more.

Yes, you may overdose on gabapentin. This situation is more likely to happen if you take gabapentin with opioids, antidepressants, alcohol, or different street drugs. Remember, there is no antidote! 💀

Important side effects & signs of overdose include:

• Drowsiness (probably the most common side effect);
• Dizziness;
• Memory loss;
• Loss of control of body movements;
• Abnormally low or high heart rate;
• Tremors;
• Double vision; and
• Depression of the respiratory system — slow breathing, causing a lack of oxygen in the patient's body.

Gabapentin is usually not recommended for use in children — however, there's one important exception: seizures and epilepsy. In this section, you may check whether the dose your child was prescribed meets the recommendations. 💊

Our gabapentin dosage calculator uses the following equations:

1. Starting dose (3-12 years old)

   Lower range = 10 mg × Weight

   Upper range = 15 mg × Weight

   where:

   • Lower range and Upper range are given in milligrams (mg) per day; and

   • Weight describes your child's weight in kilograms (kg).

   Calculated dose per day should be divided into 3, and given in three separate, smaller portions.

   Calculated dosage should be given as a range, e.g., for a child that weighs 10 kg, we may write it all down as:

   • Starting dose: 100 mg-150 mg.

2. Effective dose

   • 3-4 years old

     Effective dose = 40 mg × Weight (kg)

   Effective dose is calculated per day; the computed value should be divided into three portions and administered three times per day.

   • 5-12 years old

     Lower range = 25 mg × Weight (kg)

     Upper range = 35 mg × Weight (kg)

The calculated amount is equal to the full daily dosage — you should still divide it into three to get one of the three daily doses.

❗ Maximum daily dose for children:

• Max dose = Weight (kg) × 50 mg

Looking for a pain remedy for the smallest children? Try our infant tylenol dosage calculator. 👶