Gabapentin dosage
There is no single 'gabapentin dose' — it depends on why it is prescribed and, critically, on how well the kidneys work. For shingles nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia) the FDA-approved Neurontin label titrates from a single 300 mg dose on day 1 up to 1,800 mg/day; for partial seizures the effective range is 900-1,800 mg/day, with higher doses used in studies. Because gabapentin is cleared almost entirely by the kidneys, reduced kidney function requires a lower dose. Every number below is quoted from the FDA label. A prescriber sets, titrates, and tapers your dose — this page is a reference, not a self-dosing guide.
This is reference, not a dosing instruction. Gabapentinis prescription-only and the dose is individualized and titrated by a prescriber to your condition, response, kidney/liver function and other medicines. The figures below are the FDA label’s — do not start, change or stop a dose based on this page.
Approved for: FDA-approved for postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain lingering after shingles) in adults, and as add-on (adjunctive) therapy for partial-onset seizures in adults and children 3 years and older. Prescription-only. Uses for anxiety, insomnia, restless legs, or fibromyalgia are off-label and not covered by the Neurontin label dosing below.
Available as: Capsules: 100 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg. Tablets: 600 mg, 800 mg (scored). Oral solution: 250 mg per 5 mL (50 mg/mL).
| Use | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Postherpetic neuralgia | Adults titrate over 3 days: Day 1, a single 300 mg dose; Day 2, 600 mg/day (300 mg twice daily); Day 3, 900 mg/day (300 mg three times daily). The label: 'The dose can subsequently be titrated up as needed for pain relief to a dose of 1800 mg/day (600 mg three times a day).' Efficacy was shown from 1,800 to 3,600 mg/day, but the label states 'the additional benefit of using doses greater than 1800 mg/day was not demonstrated.' |
| Adjunctive partial seizures (adults) | Adults and children 12 years and older: starting dose 300 mg three times a day; recommended maintenance 300-600 mg three times daily, i.e. an effective range of 900-1,800 mg/day. 'The maximum time between doses should not exceed 12 hours.' Per the label, 'Dosages up to 2400 mg/day have been well tolerated in long-term clinical studies. Doses of 3600 mg/day have also been administered to a small number of patients for a relatively short duration, and have been well tolerated.' |
| Children (seizures, weight-based) | Partial seizures in children 3 to 11 years: starting dose 10-15 mg/kg/day in three divided doses, titrated to maintenance over about 3 days. Recommended maintenance is 40 mg/kg/day for ages 3-4, and 25-35 mg/kg/day for ages 5-11, each given in three divided doses. Maximum time between doses should not exceed 12 hours. Children 12 and older use the adult dosing above. |
Maximum dose
Postherpetic neuralgia: up to 1,800 mg/day (the label found no added benefit above 1,800 mg/day). Partial seizures: effective range 900-1,800 mg/day, with up to 2,400 mg/day well tolerated long-term and 3,600 mg/day tolerated short-term in a small number of patients. These ceilings assume normal kidney function; the renal table below sets lower limits when creatinine clearance is reduced.
Dose adjustments
Gabapentin is almost entirely eliminated by the kidneys, so the dose is reduced as creatinine clearance (CrCl) falls. FDA label renal dosing (adults), total daily dose given in divided doses: CrCl at least 60 mL/min = 900-3,600 mg/day (300, 400, 600, 800, or 1,200 mg three times daily); CrCl over 30 to 59 = 400-1,400 mg/day (200, 300, 400, 500, or 700 mg twice daily); CrCl over 15 to 29 = 200-700 mg/day (200, 300, 400, 500, or 700 mg once daily); CrCl 15 = 100-300 mg/day (100, 125, 150, 200, or 300 mg once daily). Per the label footnote, 'For patients with creatinine clearance <15 mL/min, reduce daily dose in proportion to creatinine clearance (e.g., patients with a creatinine clearance of 7.5 mL/min should receive one-half the daily dose that patients with a creatinine clearance of 15 mL/min receive).' Hemodialysis patients get a maintenance dose based on CrCl plus a supplemental post-hemodialysis dose after each 4 hours of dialysis (125, 150, 200, 250, or 350 mg).
Dosing safety — read before you rely on any number
Do not stop gabapentin abruptly. The FDA label states that if the dose 'is reduced, discontinued, or substituted with an alternative medication, this should be done gradually over a minimum of 1 week' — stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal (anxiety, insomnia, nausea, pain, sweating) and, in people with epilepsy, can increase seizure frequency. In December 2019 the FDA warned of serious breathing problems (respiratory depression) when gabapentin is combined with opioids or other CNS depressants, or used by people with reduced lung function (e.g., COPD) or older adults (65+); highest risk with these factors. Common effects include dizziness, drowsiness/sedation, and unsteadiness, especially at higher doses.
Bottom line
There is no universal gabapentin dose. A prescriber titrates it to the condition — nerve pain versus seizures — and, most importantly, to kidney function, then tapers it over at least a week when stopping. Use these FDA-label figures to understand your prescription and spot red flags (a dose that ignores poor kidney function, or advice to quit cold turkey), not to self-dose or self-adjust.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum dose of gabapentin?
For postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles) the FDA label targets up to 1,800 mg/day and notes no added benefit above that. For partial seizures the effective range is 900-1,800 mg/day; up to 2,400 mg/day was well tolerated in long-term studies and 3,600 mg/day short-term in a small number of patients. These maximums assume normal kidney function — reduced creatinine clearance requires a lower dose.
What is the starting dose of gabapentin?
For shingles nerve pain, the label starts at a single 300 mg dose on day 1, then 600 mg/day (day 2) and 900 mg/day (day 3). For partial seizures in adults and children 12 and older, the starting dose is 300 mg three times a day. Children 3-11 start at 10-15 mg/kg/day. Kidney impairment lowers the starting dose.
What is the gabapentin dose for nerve pain?
For postherpetic neuralgia the FDA label titrates over three days — 300 mg (day 1), 600 mg/day (day 2), 900 mg/day (day 3) — then up to 1,800 mg/day in three divided doses as needed for pain relief. The label found no additional benefit from doses above 1,800 mg/day.
How is the gabapentin dose adjusted for kidney function?
Because gabapentin is cleared by the kidneys, the label lowers the dose as creatinine clearance (CrCl) drops: CrCl 60+ = 900-3,600 mg/day; over 30-59 = 400-1,400; over 15-29 = 200-700; CrCl 15 = 100-300; and below 15 the daily dose is cut in proportion to CrCl. Hemodialysis patients receive an extra dose after each 4-hour dialysis session.
Can you stop gabapentin suddenly?
No. The FDA label says that if gabapentin is reduced, discontinued, or switched to another medicine, it should be done 'gradually over a minimum of 1 week.' Stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms and, in people with epilepsy, may increase seizures. Ask your prescriber for a taper schedule rather than quitting on your own.
Gabapentin 300 mg — how many times a day?
In the FDA label 300 mg is a common unit: for partial seizures the starting dose is 300 mg three times a day (900 mg/day), and for postherpetic neuralgia the day-3 dose is 300 mg three times a day. Doses should be no more than 12 hours apart. Your exact frequency depends on your condition and kidney function, so follow your prescriber's instructions.
Sources
More guides for Gabapentin
Other dosage guides: Metformin dosage · Amoxicillin dosage · Prednisone dosage · Ibuprofen dosage · Lisinopril dosage · Levothyroxine dosage · Omeprazole dosage · Doxycycline dosage · Ondansetron dosage · Albuterol dosage · Allopurinol dosage · Methotrexate dosage · Alendronate dosage · Fluconazole dosage · Acetaminophen dosage · Diphenhydramine dosage · Naproxen dosage · Aspirin dosage · Cetirizine dosage · Dimenhydrinate dosage · Famotidine dosage.
Doses are transcribed from the FDA-approved label and are general reference information, not medical advice or a personal dose. Only a prescriber can set or change your dose. If you think you took too much, contact Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or 911.