Does Gabapentin Make You Drowsy?

Yes, gabapentin commonly causes drowsiness; rates vary by condition and study, and some clinical trials reported it in about 1 in 5 patients. Until you know how gabapentin affects you, avoid driving or operating machinery. Alcohol, opioids, and other medicines that cause sleepiness can worsen sedation and, in some people, increase the risk of breathing problems. Gabapentin changes certain nerve signals in the brain and can cause sleepiness, although the exact reason it causes this effect is not fully understood. The drowsiness is usually most pronounced when first starting the medication or after dose increases. Drowsiness may improve as your body adjusts, but how long it lasts varies. Contact your prescriber if it is severe, persistent, or interfering with daily activities. Do not change when or how often you take gabapentin without speaking with your prescriber. Some regimens require doses throughout the day, especially for seizure control, although a prescriber may sometimes adjust dose timing to reduce daytime drowsiness.