Gabapentin: What You Need to Know Before Buying Online in Australia

Emerging Writers' Festival  
22/04/2016

We spoke with Brodie Lancaster ahead of her appearance at the  launch of the  highly anticipated 2016 Emerging Writers’ Festival Program.  A superstar in our eyes, we can’t wait to hear her talk to us all about failure and ambition at The Wheeler Centre on 10 May.

You are performing at our Program Launch: ‘Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars’. Do you have moments you think about that encapsulate this theme in your own life?
You’ll have to hear my talk at the Program Launch to know the answer to that!
JK, but kind of. I guess all those in-between moments of limbo I’ve had in my life—times when I decided to move across the world or cut ties with someone or start (or quit) a big project—present that opportunity to either succeed or fail spectacularly. The decisions we make during those cloudy moments are what I think about when I hear the phrase, Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars.

You do a lot – you founded the zine Filmme Fatales, you’re senior editor of The Good Copy, you write stuff yourself and have contributed to publications widely, plus more – how do you juggle all these things and transition between hats?
It’s not super glamorous or inspiring, but I don’t do much more but work. Even right now, I’m writing these answers as I go HAM on my inbox on an Amtrak from Portland to Seattle, where I’m giving a big talk tomorrow. But ultimately, everything I do kiiiiinda connects in some way, so each disparate job helps another.
The Good Copy is my day job—I’m a senior editor there and I work on editorial copywriting projects from nine to five—and it helps to keep my brain active and work out my technical writing muscles.
I put that exercise into practice when it comes to freelancing and I need to take feedback, be concise and clear in my arguments and phrase juuust the right tweet to share stuff I’ve written. (lol)
I work on Filmme Fatales both at work (it’s published by The Good Copy) and during any moment of downtime I have.
Oh, and I’m also trying to write a book right now hahahaha. I know.

What have you been working on lately?
I’m at the end of a two-month trip around America right now. While here, I’ve been covering the SXSW Film program for Filmme Fatales, I gave a talk in New York City and I’m about to give a talk on fangirls and One Direction at the EMP Pop Conference in Seattle. After that, I’m going to be taking a week in LA to work on my book a little more before I come home and get back into everything I talked about doing in the previous question.

What are you excited by in the Australian literary landscape at the moment?
Without sounding like a douchey name-dropper, I’m excited by how many people I know (or even just people my age, with similar levels of writing and life experience as I have) have books out that I can buy and read, and that so many other people can too! The first thing I’m doing when I get home is buying Jennifer Down’s Our Magic Hour; I just saw Omar Musa’s book Here Come The Dogs at Powell’s in Portland; Minna Gilligan’s Time After Time, which came out last year, is one of my favourite non-fiction books. As someone who is trying to write a book right now and who never ever thought I would or could or should write a book, it’s encouraging and invigorating to read incredible work by people who make that feel possible.

Have you any advice for fellow writers?
I have a lot! But real quick, I think it is very important to remember to write what you know and like, and not what you think you’re supposed to be writing for whatever trend/style/internetty reason.

What aspects of the Emerging Writers’ Festival do you look forward to?
I love seeing everyone from Twitter IRL!!!!!! Also I really love the diversity of the programming (shoutout to me and my fellow cute’n’smart members of this year’s Programming Advisory Committee) and the commitment EWF has always had to programming people who aren’t just ~big names~; I always hear about or meet people at the festival whose work I didn’t know about before the event takes place.

Brodie Lancaster is the editor of Filmme Fatales, a zine about women and cinema, and a senior editor at The Good Copy, a writing studio in Collingwood. 

She has written for Rookie, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Vulture and other publications. Her first book, a pop culture memoir called No Way! Okay, Fine!, will be out next year with Hachette.

Early Bird Tickets to The National Writers’ Conference are available now. Taking place over two days, with over seventy speakers, The National Writers’ Conference features panels, conversations, and performances, allowing you meet this year’s Ambassadors and other writers from around Australia.

Golden Tickets to the Emerging Writers’ Festival are also available now. Golden Tickets are your passport to the Emerging Writers’ Festival. They will give you access to the National Writers’ Conference, plus the rest of the festival including all panels, talks, performances and selected workshops.

The 2016 Emerging Writers’ Festival program launches on Tuesday, 10 May at The Wheeler Centre.

Gabapentin: Should You Buy It Online? Here's What You Need To Know First. Visit Our Pharmacy ↓


Gabapentin in Australia: A Doctor’s Review for People Over 30

If you are over 30 and living with burning nerve pain, sleepless nights from shingles pain, or a nervous system that feels “turned up” all the time, you are not alone. Many Australians quietly struggle with pain that ordinary painkillers do not touch. This review explains why gabapentin is one of the most widely prescribed nerve-pain medicines in Australia, how it works, and whether it may be appropriate for a range of specific health conditions. It is written from a doctor’s point of view and follows the AIDA structure — Attention, Interest, Desire, Action — to help you make an informed decision with your GP or specialist.

Attention: The Pain That Will Not Switch Off

Imagine going to bed exhausted, but your skin feels like it is burning, crawling, or being pricked by needles. This is common after shingles, a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, and it can continue for months or years after the rash heals. Many patients over 30 also experience nerve pain from diabetes, sciatica, spinal problems, or even unexplained itching and skin picking that does not respond to creams. Standard anti-inflammatory medicines often fail because the problem is not tissue damage — it is a malfunction in the way nerves send signals to the brain. Gabapentin was developed to calm this overactive nerve signalling, and for many patients it is the first treatment that finally helps.

Interest: What Is Gabapentin and Why Does It Matter?

Gabapentin is a prescription medicine that was originally developed for epilepsy but is now widely used for nerve pain. In Australia, it is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for neuropathic pain and certain types of epilepsy. It is available under brand names such as Neurontin and as generic gabapentin, and it is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for specific conditions, which makes it more affordable. Gabapentin does not work like opioids or anti-inflammatory drugs. Instead, it binds to calcium channels in nerve cells, reducing the release of excitatory chemicals that make pain signals fire too easily. This calms the nervous system.

Table 1: Gabapentin at a Glance in Australia
Feature Details
Drug class Gabapentinoid; anticonvulsant; nerve-pain modulator
Common uses Postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, nerve pain, some seizure disorders
How it is taken Oral capsules or tablets, usually started at a low dose and gradually increased
Typical starting dose 300 mg at night, titrated up as tolerated under medical supervision
PBS availability Yes, for approved indications; otherwise private prescription
Common side effects Drowsiness, dizziness, mild swelling of the ankles, dry mouth, weight gain
Potential for dependence Lower than opioids, but misuse can occur; must be used exactly as prescribed

Desire: Could Gabapentin Help Your Specific Situation?

Many people over 30 have more than one health condition. They often worry, “Can I take gabapentin if I have …?” Below are clear answers to the specific questions that matter most. Remember, this is educational information, not individual medical advice. Always discuss your full health history with your doctor before starting any new medicine.

Can I take gabapentin if I have postherpetic neuralgia?

Yes. This is one of the strongest, evidence-backed uses for gabapentin in Australia. Postherpetic neuralgia is nerve pain that persists after a shingles outbreak, and it becomes more common after age 50. Gabapentin is considered a first-line treatment because it reduces the burning, shooting pain that interrupts sleep and makes clothing feel unbearable. Most patients start on a low evening dose to minimise drowsiness and improve sleep, then gradually increase until the pain is controlled.

Can I take gabapentin if I have Williams syndrome?

Gabapentin is not automatically contraindicated in Williams syndrome, but it requires specialist assessment. Williams syndrome often involves congenital heart problems, high blood pressure, and possible kidney differences. Because gabapentin can cause fluid retention and dizziness, your cardiologist or clinical geneticist should weigh the risks. If prescribed, the dose must be adjusted for kidney function and started very cautiously. The key point is that Williams syndrome itself does not ban gabapentin, but it changes how carefully it must be monitored.

Can I take gabapentin if I have inflammatory bowel disease?

Generally yes, with monitoring. Gabapentin is sometimes used off-label for chronic abdominal pain and visceral hypersensitivity in inflammatory bowel disease. It does not treat the inflammation itself, but it can calm the nerve pathways that cause ongoing pain even when the bowel is in remission. The main caution is that severe diarrhoea or malabsorption during a flare may affect how reliably oral gabapentin is absorbed. Your gastroenterologist can help determine whether the timing and dose are appropriate.

Can I take gabapentin if I have coronary artery disease?

In most cases, yes, but with caution. Gabapentin does not usually worsen coronary artery disease directly. However, it can cause swelling in the legs, dizziness, and low blood pressure when you stand up. If you also have heart failure or take multiple blood pressure medicines, these effects could be more pronounced. Patients with coronary artery disease should have their blood pressure and fluid status reviewed regularly while taking gabapentin. It is often still a safer option than strong opioids for nerve pain.

Can I take gabapentin if I have Angelman syndrome?

Gabapentin may be used in Angelman syndrome, especially for seizures or sleep disturbance, but it must be managed by a specialist. Angelman syndrome is a genetic neurodevelopmental condition that often includes epilepsy, movement problems, and sleep difficulties. Some patients tolerate gabapentin well, while others may experience increased sedation or behavioural changes. The dose must be individualised, and caregivers should report any changes promptly. It is not a blanket “no,” but it is a medicine that requires expert supervision in this population.

Can I take gabapentin if I have a heart transplant?

Yes, potentially, but never without your transplant team. Gabapentin is attractive after transplantation because it is cleared by the kidneys and has few interactions with common immunosuppressants such as tacrolimus or cyclosporine. However, many heart transplant patients have reduced kidney function, so the dose must be lowered. Gabapentin can also cause fluid retention, which is a real concern after heart transplant. If you have neuropathic pain after transplantation, gabapentin may be safer than many painkillers, but the transplant cardiologist must guide the dose.

Can I take gabapentin if I have skin picking disorder?

Gabapentin is not a first-line treatment for skin picking disorder, also called excoriation disorder, but there is growing interest in using it off-label. Skin picking is often linked to anxiety, obsessive-compulsive patterns, and nervous system overactivity. Some psychiatrists and dermatologists report that gabapentin can reduce the urge to pick by calming sensory overstimulation. The evidence is still limited, so it should only be tried after standard behavioural therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been considered. If you struggle with constant skin picking that causes scarring, ask your doctor whether a low-dose gabapentin trial might be appropriate.

Can gabapentin cause serotonin syndrome?

Gabapentin itself is not known to cause serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a dangerous build-up of serotonin caused by serotonergic drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, tramadol, or certain migraine medicines. Gabapentin does not act on serotonin receptors and does not raise serotonin levels. That means taking gabapentin alone will not trigger serotonin syndrome. If you take gabapentin together with multiple serotonin-raising medicines, the risk comes from those other drugs, not from gabapentin. Always tell your doctor about everything you take, including over-the-counter and herbal products, so they can assess the full picture.

Table 2: Specific Conditions and Gabapentin Considerations
Condition Can gabapentin be considered? Key caution
Postherpetic neuralgia Yes — first-line treatment Start low, increase slowly to reduce drowsiness
Williams syndrome Yes, with specialist approval Cardiac and renal monitoring essential
Inflammatory bowel disease Yes, often for pain Absorption may vary during flares
Coronary artery disease Generally yes Watch for leg swelling and dizziness
Angelman syndrome Possible, specialist-led Monitor sedation and behaviour changes
Heart transplant Yes, with transplant team guidance Renal dosing and fluid balance monitoring
Skin picking disorder Off-label, after standard therapy Limited evidence; not first-line
Serotonin syndrome risk Not caused by gabapentin Check other serotonergic medicines

Action: Talk to Your Doctor and Take Control of Nerve Pain

If you see yourself in any of the situations above, the next step is not to buy gabapentin online or from an unregulated source. Gabapentin is a prescription-only Schedule 4 medicine in Australia. That means it must be prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner after a proper assessment. The right approach is simple:

For many Australians over 30, gabapentin has been the difference between another sleepless, painful night and finally feeling like themselves again. It is not for everyone, and it is not a cure for every condition. But when used correctly, under medical supervision, it can significantly reduce nerve-related pain, improve sleep, and restore quality of life. Take the next step today — speak with your doctor, ask the right questions, and find out whether gabapentin is the missing piece in your pain management plan.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace individual medical advice. Always consult a registered Australian medical practitioner before starting, changing, or stopping any medicine. Gabapentin is a prescription-only medicine and should only be used under the care of a qualified health professional.



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