Gabapentin Availability in 50 mg Capsules
No, gabapentin is not commercially available in 50 mg capsules. The standard commercial formulations include capsules in 100 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg strengths, along with tablets in various strengths 1, 2, 3.
Available Commercial Formulations
- Capsules: 100 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg 1, 2
- Tablets: Multiple strengths available commercially 2
- Oral solutions: Available for patients who cannot swallow capsules or tablets 4
Alternative Options for 50 mg Dosing
Compounded Suspensions
- Gabapentin can be compounded into a 50 mg/mL suspension using suspending agents like SyrSpend SF, which is alcohol-free and sorbitol-free 4
- This compounded suspension remains stable for at least 90 days when refrigerated or stored at room temperature and protected from light 4
- The 50 mg/mL concentration allows for precise dosing adjustments, particularly useful for pediatric patients or those requiring doses below 100 mg 4
Clinical Context
- The lowest commercially available capsule strength is 100 mg, which represents the typical starting dose for many indications 5, 6
- For patients requiring doses lower than 100 mg (such as elderly patients with renal impairment or those highly sensitive to side effects), a compounded suspension would be necessary 5, 6
- Gabapentin exhibits dose-dependent bioavailability due to saturable absorption, making lower starting doses sometimes preferable in vulnerable populations 2, 3
Important Prescribing Consideration
- If you need a 50 mg dose, you must either prescribe a compounded suspension or use the oral solution formulation with appropriate dosing instructions 4
- The 100 mg capsule cannot be reliably split or opened for accurate 50 mg dosing, as gabapentin is a water-soluble amino acid derivative that requires precise measurement 3