HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Anticonvulsants for Chronic Pain
Side Effects
Common but temporary side effects may include dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue. Tell your doctor if you think you are having side effects, which may include:
- Headache.
- Confusion.
- Skin rash.
- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or abdominal pain.
- Weight gain or weight loss.
- Swollen feet.
Do not suddenly stop taking an anticonvulsant. Your doctor will slowly reduce the dose of this medicine so that you won't have withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, pain, sweating, and insomnia.
The FDA has issued a warning on anticonvulsants and the risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, people who take anticonvulsant medicine should be watched closely for Reference warning signs of suicide. People who take anticonvulsant medicine and who are worried about this side effect should talk to a doctor.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: January 20, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
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