What is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It affects chemicals and nerves in the body that are involved in the cause of seizures and some types of pain. Gabapentin is used together with other medicines to treat partial seizures in adults and children at least 3 years old.
Gabapentin is also used to treat neuropathic pain (nerve pain) caused by herpes virus or shingles (herpes zoster) in adults. Use only the brand and form of gabapentin your doctor has prescribed. Check your medicine each time you get a refill to make sure you receive the correct form. The Gralise brand of Gabapentin is indicated for the management of neuropathic pain only. It is not used for epilepsy. Horizant is used to treat nerve pain and restless legs syndrome (RLS). The Neurontin brand is used to treat seizures in adults and children who are at least 3 years old, in addition to neuropathic pain.
According to the FDA, counterfeit medicine is fake medicine. It may be contaminated or contain the wrong or no active ingredient. They could have the right active ingredient but at the wrong dose. Counterfeit drugs are illegal and harmful to your health. Fake Gabapentin has persisted due to the high rate of Gabapentin abuse among young people. Last year, Kentucky became the first state to classify Gabapentin as a controlled substance after the drug showed up in a third of the state’s fatal overdoses in 2016, as the Louisville Courier Journal first reported. Police in Ohio have also reported a dramatic rise in the abuse of gabapentin, better known by brand names like Neurontin, Gralise, or Horizant. There have already been reports of 300 milligram pills being sold on the street for as little as 75 cents apiece in the college town of Athens, Ohio.
The classification of this medication as a Schedule 5 drug, means that every time it is sold it will be reported to the prescription monitoring program. A Canadian study published last year, which tracked patients in Ontario from August 1997 to December 2013 who had been prescribed both opioids and gabapentin for pain, found a “substantial increase in the risk of opioid-related death.”
How to Spot Fake Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Online pharmacies and dark web drug marketplaces that sell fake Gabapentin and other illicit drugs run illegally, meaning they’re completely unverified and unregulated. The drugs they send to consumers are untested and may come from illegal drug manufacturers. They may also be expired, or they may have been stored incorrectly, affecting the quality and even safety.
When you order Gabapentin pill, you may receive literally anything over-the-counter medications, sugar pills, or deadly fentanyl pills advertised as Gabapentin pills or alternatives. Fentanyl laced pills are responsible for most overdose deaths involving drugs that triggers highs. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. You have no way of demanding a refund since the transaction itself was illegal. Checking a medicine for genuineness is not an easy task but can be done by following these simple guidelines.
Check the Gabapentin pill Packaging: This is the simplest and the easiest method to check the authenticity of Gabapentin, Neurontin, or Gralise. Check the packaging for details like unusual fonts, print color, and missing logos. Analyze whether it appears the same or different from the one you have used before.
No Breakage in the Seal: A Gabapentin packet that comes with a security seal should not be damaged. Look for a crack or breaks in the sealing tape.
Check the Gabapentin pill Dosage Form: Look for dissimilarities in the physical appearance of the drug like its color, size, uniformity, consistency, shape, etc.
Physical Attributes of the Capsule or tablet: As stated by World Health Organization, the common physical attributes that need to be looked out for in medicine tablets are;
- Small pieces of tablets, excessive powder at the bottom of the medicine container, or brittle and crumbly capsules spilling powder.
- Cracks in the tablets or capsules.
- The appearance of crystal on the container walls or on the medicine tablets.
- Softening or hardening of the medicines.
- Swelling, spots or discoloration of the tablets or capsule.
Allergies / Unexpected Side Effects from using Gabapentin: Most medicines including Gabapentin pill have side effects. It is important to consult your doctor before the usage to keep a check on allergies arising from it. If you notice certain unexpected or harmful side effects from your medication, report to your doctor immediately.
Price of Gabapentin pill: If the price of Gabapentin pill is suddenly far cheaper than the usual rate, double check the product as there may be a chance that the fake companies wanted to lure customers by providing medicines at much cheaper rates.
Verify Online or SMS: Many countries have unique methods for the verification of the genuineness of pills using authentication code or other online portals to confirm the authenticity of the Gabapentin pill being purchased.
General Side Effects You Should Expect From a Genuine Gabapentin
Drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, tiredness, blurred/double vision, unusual eye movements, or shaking (tremor) may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: swelling of the hands/ankles/feet. A small number of people who take anticonvulsants for any condition (such as seizures, bipolar disorder, or pain) may experience depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, or other mental/mood problems. Tell your doctor right away if you or your family/caregiver notice any unusual/sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior including signs of depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, or thoughts about harming yourself.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including slow/shallow breathing.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
