Important Safety Information
Contraindications
GRALISE is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to the drug or its ingredients.
Warnings and Precautions
The safety and efficacy of GRALISE in patients with epilepsy have not been studied.
Suicidal Behavior and Ideation
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) including gabapentin, the active ingredient in GRALISE, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.
Respiratory Depression
Gabapentin has been associated with serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression when co-administered with central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including opioids, or when there is an underlying respiratory impairment. When the decision is made to co-prescribe GRALISE with another CNS depressant, particularly an opioid, or to prescribe GRALISE to patients with underlying respiratory impairment, monitor patients for symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation, and consider initiating GRALISE at a low dose.
Withdrawal of Gabapentin
Gabapentin should be withdrawn gradually. If GRALISE is discontinued, this should be done gradually over a minimum of 1 week or longer (at the discretion of the prescriber).
Tumorigenic Potential
In standard preclinical in vivo lifetime carcinogenicity studies, an unexpectedly high incidence of pancreatic acinar adenocarcinomas was identified in male, but not female, rats. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown.
Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity
Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS), also known as Multiorgan Hypersensitivity, has been reported in patients taking antiepileptic drugs, including GRALISE. Some of these events have been fatal or life-threatening. DRESS typically, although not exclusively, presents with fever, rash, and/or lymphadenopathy in association with other organ system involvement, such as hepatitis, nephritis, hematological abnormalities, myocarditis, or myositis sometimes resembling an acute viral infection. If such signs or symptoms are present, the patient should be evaluated immediately.
Adverse Reactions
In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions were dizziness (10.9%) and somnolence (4.5%). Across all GRALISE clinical trials, the other most common adverse reactions (≥2%) were headache, peripheral edema, diarrhea, dry mouth, and nasopharyngitis. The types and incidence of adverse events were similar across age groups except for peripheral edema, which tended to increase in incidence with age.
Drug Interactions
An increase in gabapentin AUC values has been reported when administered with hydrocodone or morphine.
It is recommended that GRALISE be taken at least 2 hours following antacid administration.
Use in Specific Populations
Pregnancy Category C: GRALISE should be used during pregnancy or in women who are nursing only if the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of GRALISE in the management of postherpetic neuralgia in patients less than 18 years of age have not been studied.
Geriatric Use
The total number of patients treated with GRALISE in controlled clinical trials in patients with postherpetic neuralgia was 359, of which 63% were 65 years of age or older. The types and incidence of adverse events were similar across age groups except for peripheral edema, which tended to increase in incidence with age.
Hepatic Impairment
Because gabapentin is not metabolized, studies have not been conducted in patients with hepatic impairment.
Renal Impairment
Dosage adjustment of GRALISE is necessary in patients with impaired renal function. GRALISE should not be administered in patients with creatinine clearance <30 mL/min or in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Reductions in GRALISE dose should be made in patients with age-related compromised renal function.
Overdosage
Acute oral overdoses of gabapentin have been reported. Symptoms include double-vision, tremor, slurred speech, drowsiness, altered mental status, dizziness, lethargy, and diarrhea. Fatal respiratory depression has been reported with gabapentin overdose, alone and in combination with other CNS depressants.
Indications and Usage
GRALISE® (gabapentin) is indicated for the management of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). GRALISE is not interchangeable with other gabapentin products because of differing pharmacokinetic profiles that affect the frequency of administration.
Please see the full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
