Hello Chris I was on gabapentin while I was in hospital after my surgery to remove part of my tongue I had neck dissection also it was for nerve pain,but they gave me that only while I was in hospital they sent me home with oxycodone which I took only for one week after that I was taking over the counter but I am guessing it depends on level of your pain I had no side effects but maybe I was on lot of other pain meds,sorry I may not be of much help in answering your question.