Juvia Pharma Drug reference

A short educational article, not advice tailored to your own medicines. Read the disclaimer

Opioids plus gabapentin: respiratory depression is on the label

3 min readReviewed 31 October 2026. Updated
Stacked sedation caution icons with Neurontin capsules

Key facts

Common AEsSomnolence, dizziness
Opioid stackRespiratory depression warning
AED pooled riskAbout twice placebo for suicidality
Stop pathGradual reduction
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nora Lindqvist, MD, Clinical pharmacology Peer reviewed

Checked against the current FDA label, named clinical trials, and the sources listed on this site.

01Postherpetic neuralgia starts at 300 mg on day 1

Neurontin for postherpetic neuralgia starts at 300 mg on day 1. Day 2 is 300 mg twice a day. Day 3 is 300 mg three times a day. The dose may be increased up to 1800 mg per day given in three divided doses. An 800 mg tablet is a labelled strength.

Sources and how this letter was sealed

  1. FDA, Neurontin US PI: somnolence/dizziness; opioid respiratory depression; AED suicidality; taper.

Method in brief: open primary sources, annotate against the current FDA label, countersign by Dr. Nora Lindqvist, MD, then seal with a dated review. Full walk-through on the method page and editorial standards.

How to cite this page - Vancouver style

Juvia Pharma Drug Reference. Opioids plus gabapentin: respiratory depression is on the label [Internet]. Stockholm: Juvia Pharma; 21 October 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 21]. Available from: https://juviapharma.com/postscripts/neurontin-sedation-stack/

Desk thread

Answers follow the U.S. Neurontin prescribing information.

Marta C., Gavle writes

What is the day-one dose for postherpetic neuralgia?

Desk reply

Neurontin for postherpetic neuralgia starts at 300 mg on day 1. Day 2 is 300 mg twice a day. Day 3 is 300 mg three times a day. The dose may be increased up to 1800 mg per day given in three divided doses. An 800 mg tablet is a labelled strength.

Heikki Laine, Joensuu writes

How does the dose build on days 2 and 3?

Desk reply

Neurontin for postherpetic neuralgia starts at 300 mg on day 1. Day 2 is 300 mg twice a day. Day 3 is 300 mg three times a day. The dose may be increased up to 1800 mg per day given in three divided doses. An 800 mg tablet is a labelled strength.

Berit Moen, Hamar writes

The bottle says 800 mg. Is that a real tablet strength?

Desk reply

Neurontin for postherpetic neuralgia starts at 300 mg on day 1. Day 2 is 300 mg twice a day. Day 3 is 300 mg three times a day. The dose may be increased up to 1800 mg per day given in three divided doses. An 800 mg tablet is a labelled strength.

Before you start, stop, or change any medicine mentioned above, run it past your prescriber or pharmacist - they hold your chart, this despatch does not. Desk notice.