{"id":634551,"date":"2025-12-29T09:30:19","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T14:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=634551"},"modified":"2025-12-18T15:33:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T20:33:07","slug":"can-i-take-gabapentin-with-high-blood-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/can-i-take-gabapentin-with-high-blood-pressure\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I take gabapentin with high blood pressure?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gabapentin<\/span><\/a>, sold under the brand name Neurontin, is an anticonvulsant medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat <\/span>partial seizures<\/span><\/a> in people with epilepsy, restless leg syndrome, and the never pain caused by shingles (postherpetic neuralgia). It\u2019s also frequently prescribed <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> for <\/span>insomnia<\/span><\/a>, alcohol withdrawal, irritable bowel syndrome, and mental health conditions like anxiety disorders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have high blood pressure, you may wonder whether it\u2019s safe to take gabapentin. In most cases, gabapentin can be used safely by people with hypertension, but only after a healthcare provider evaluates your overall health, current medications, and cardiovascular risk. It\u2019s essential to inform your doctor about any history of high blood pressure and to monitor your blood pressure readings regularly while taking gabapentin.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t

Save up to 80% on Gabapentin with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tGabapentin 300 mg (90 Capsules)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$8.98\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$8.98\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Gabapentin prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

Is gabapentin safe if you have high blood pressure?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cGabapentin should be safe for people with high blood pressure to take,\u201d says <\/span>Cheng-Han Chen, MD,<\/span><\/a> board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California. \u201cSome studies have actually found that it can <\/span>lower blood pressure<\/span><\/a> somewhat.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

If you take <\/span>medications for high blood pressure<\/span><\/a>, it is essential that you monitor your blood pressure carefully while on gabapentin to make sure it doesn’t get too low due to the combined effects of both medications.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGabapentin, in general, is unlikely to worsen severe hypertension,\u201d says <\/span>Zergabachew Asfaw, MD,<\/span><\/a> an internal medicine specialist practicing in the Bronx, New York. However, he notes that in people with poorly controlled blood pressure, the medication may increase symptoms like lightheadedness, drowsiness, or fatigue. These side effects of gabapentin can make it harder to distinguish medication-related issues from blood pressure-related symptoms. Because of this, your healthcare team should work together to monitor you closely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabapentin and blood pressure<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cGabapentin is not generally known to elevate blood pressure,\u201d Dr. Asfaw explains. In fact, it may slightly lower blood pressure in some individuals and can cause dizziness or orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure that occurs when standing. These effects stem from gabapentin\u2019s action on calcium channels in the central nervous system, which play a role in regulating automatic functions such as heart rate and blood pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Evidence from several animal <\/span>studies<\/span><\/a> suggests that gabapentin may lower blood pressure and heart rate by acting on key cardiovascular control centers in the brain, including the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), an important region involved in autonomic regulation. Although <\/span>findings<\/span><\/a> from animal research do not always translate directly to humans, some clinical data show a similar pattern. For example, one <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> found that giving gabapentin before surgery reduced the spike in blood pressure typically seen during laryngoscopy and intubation compared with a placebo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, gabapentin is not without risks. \u201cIn certain rare cases, gabapentin has been linked to instances of heart failure,\u201d notes Dr. Chen. One <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> also reported that long-term use of gabapentin and <\/span>pregabalin<\/span><\/a> (another drug with a similar mechanism of action) may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications such as heart failure and deep venous thrombosis in people with diabetic neuropathy. Similar <\/span>adverse effects<\/span><\/a> were observed in patients with <\/span>fibromyalgia<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because of these potential risks, gabapentin should be taken only under the supervision of a healthcare provider who has reviewed your medical history and current conditions. \u201cPeople with heart disease should let their cardiologist know when starting gabapentin,\u201d Dr. Chen advises. Always follow your provider\u2019s guidance and discuss how long you should remain on the medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

When should you not take gabapentin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Though it\u2019s okay for people with hypertension, gabapentin is not safe for everyone. Your healthcare provider will avoid prescribing it to you if you have a history of allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients. Gabapentin may also not be ideal for you if:<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n