Can You Take Gabapentin with Ibuprofen? Drug Interaction Risks

What you will learn

• Gabapentin is a prescription drug that’s used for seizure disorders and nerve pain.
• Gabapentin has several potential interactions, including depressants like alcohol and opioids.
• Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that’s used to treat pain and inflammation.
• Gabapentin and ibuprofen have no significant known interactions, but individual responses may vary, and it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider.

Gabapentin is a prescription drug that’s used to treat seizure disorders and some nerve pain. Though it’s typically used with other medications as part of the treatment, gabapentin can interact with other drugs and cause dangerous interactions.

Can you take gabapentin with ibuprofen? Learn more about gabapentin and ibuprofen combination safety, if these drugs can be taken together, and what precautions you should take.

What Is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is often available under the brand name Neurontin, which has been in use since the 1990s. It’s often used to treat seizure disorders and some types of nerve pain, including post-herpetic neuralgia seen with shingles. Gabapentin may be used off-label for general nerve pain as well.

Several other brand names are used for gabapentin, including Gralise, an extended-release version used for post-herpetic neuralgia, and Horizant, an extended-release version used for restless leg syndrome.

Gabapentin and its brands are in the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog drug class.[1] These medications can reduce the activity of the nerve cells in the brain, which has the effect of relieving nerve pain and reducing seizure intensity, duration, or frequency.

There are many potential uses for gabapentin, particularly with other drugs. However, gabapentin has possible medication interactions that can cause side effects or adverse reactions.

What Is Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that’s used to treat pain, inflammation, and fever. It’s available under several brands, both over the counter and with a prescription. You may see ibuprofen as a fever reducer or pain reliever in combination medications to treat cold and flu or menstrual pain. It’s also combined with opioid painkillers to reduce inflammation.

Ibuprofen is a COX inhibitor, which is a drug that interferes with cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes to reduce the production of prostaglandins.[2] These lipid compounds can cause pain and inflammation, but once the production is blocked, pain may be relieved.

Over-the-counter ibuprofen is used in medications for arthritis, headaches, menstrual cramps, muscle aches, and other types of mild-to-moderate pain. Ibuprofen first hit the market in 1974 and is widely available and generally safe.

Can You Take Gabapentin with Ibuprofen?

Gabapentin and ibuprofen are two different classes of drugs that work differently to relieve pain. There are no confirmed interactions between gabapentin and ibuprofen, but that doesn’t mean an interaction can’t occur.[3]

An older study conducted on animals showed that gabapentin and ibuprofen can amplify the pain-relieving effects when used together without causing any adverse effects.[4] However, more research is needed to determine if these drugs are compatible and effective as part of a pain management protocol.

Potential Interactions with Gabapentin

Gabapentin may be safe to use with ibuprofen, but there are other drug interactions to be aware of:

Opioids

Opioids are used to treat pain, but they work differently from gabapentin or ibuprofen. Opioids like oxycodone and morphine block pain signals to “numb” the body to pain, which is why they’re often prescribed for severe, chronic pain. They’re also controlled substances with high addictive potential.

There are some similar side effects between gabapentin and opioids, so mixing the two can be dangerous. Both gabapentin and opioids may cause drowsiness, slowed breathing, and other serious symptoms. Taking them together can amplify these effects, possibly leading to a loss of consciousness or severely depressed breathing.

Because gabapentin can amplify the sedative effects of opioids, taking it with these drugs can increase the risk of serious side effects, including overdose. Taking more opioids or opioids at higher doses with gabapentin increases the risk of overdose and serious side effects.[5] The FDA issued a warning in 2019 about the risks of gabapentin and opioids.[6]

Antihistamines

Antihistamines, such as Benadryl, are available over the counter to treat allergies and itching. These drugs work by blocking histamine, a chemical that regulates immune response and sleep.

Benadryl, which is diphenhydramine, and some other antihistamines have drowsiness as a side effect. If you combine gabapentin with sedative antihistamines, it may cause dangerous levels of sedation.[7]

Sedatives

Sedatives are a broad class of medications that may be used to ease anxiety symptoms or sleep problems. These drugs include zolpidem, or Ambien, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines like Ativan or Xanax.

Like antihistamines, mixing gabapentin and sedatives can cause dangerous levels of sedation.[8] Both of these drugs have drowsiness and respiratory depression as a side effect. Even drugs that have mild sedative-like effects, such as over-the-counter sleep aids or muscle relaxers, can be dangerous.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant that can slow brain activity and breathing rate. Many medications can interact with alcohol, including gabapentin and other medications that have sedative effects. These drugs can slow the body’s functions to dangerously low levels, possibly leading to coma or death.

Though these are some common interactions for gabapentin, this isn’t a complete list. Make sure you discuss any medications you take with your doctor for safe usage.

Potential Interactions with Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is available over the counter and with a prescription, but it can have potential drug interactions:

Blood Thinners

Ibuprofen has mild blood-thinning effects, so it shouldn’t be mixed with blood-thinning medications. Mixing these drugs can increase your risk of bleeding.[9] Though it could be relatively mild, such as bleeding gums after flossing, it’s possible to experience dangerous bleeding in the brain or other serious effects.

You should avoid taking ibuprofen with anticoagulants like warfarin (Coumadin), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), and apixaban (Eliquis). Some antiplatelet medications, such as clopidogrel (Plavix), can be dangerous.

Aspirin and Other NSAIDs

Like ibuprofen, aspirin is a widely used and accessible medication available over the counter to treat pain and fever. It may be taken as a protective measure for the heart as well, due to its mild blood-thinning effects.

Ibuprofen and aspirin shouldn’t be combined because of their blood-thinning effects. If you take them together, it can significantly increase the risk of serious bleeding or stomach ulcers.[10]

Alcohol

There are many potential side effects to drinking alcohol, including blood thinning and stomach irritation. Ibuprofen has these as side effects on its own, so combining it with alcohol can lead to stomach bleeding or ulcers. If you have an increased risk of ulcers or stomach bleeding, you shouldn’t drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen.

Though these are some common interactions for ibuprofen, it’s not a full list. Make sure you discuss any medications you’re taking with your doctor for safe usage.

Pay Attention to Drug Interactions

Gabapentin and ibuprofen have no known interactions, but both of these drugs have side effects and potentially dangerous interactions with other drugs. You should always discuss all the medications you’re taking with your doctor, including over-the-counter and prescription substances.

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more