"this medication is the only one that curtailed the pain of shingles.  i was taking 2 pills, twice a day, and 3 at night.  if you get shingles be sure to ask your dr what the safest amount is you can take.  at first i was told to take one like, 3 times a day.  i kept going back and telling my dr that my pain was still severe.  it was a long process and a lot of undue pain.  in the very beginning,  gabapentin wasn&#039;t even prescribed, and i ended up in the emergency room due to excruciating pain.  the er dr prescribed it....finally.  my pain was never really managed.  it&#039;s been 7 weeks and i feel like i might be able to lessen the dose soon.  shingles is an awful disease."