What is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin (generic name: neurontin) is an anticonvulsant medication prescribed for the management of seizures, nerve hurting associated with shingles, and restless legs syndrome. It has a number of off-characterization uses, including neuropathic hurting management, migraine prevention, and handling of alcohol dependence.ane,ii

Mutual Brand Names for Gabapentin

The generic name for this medication is known as Gabapentin, but there are multiple brand-name versions in the U.S. you lot might be prescribed. The brand names for Gabapentin are listed beneath:

  • FusePaq Fanatrex
  • Gabarone
  • Gralise
  • Horizant
  • Neurontin

Of these Gabapentin make names, the most well-known is Neurontin. This product may be prescribed in a dosage class of a capsule, solution, tablet, or extended-release tablet. The typical dose begins with 300 mg and tin exist taken upwardly to three times a mean solar day depending on what is existence treated.

What Is Gabapentin Withdrawal?

Gabapentin withdrawal is when they finish taking the drug,i,3,7 and people who have been abusing the drug are at run a risk for more astringent symptoms.
15–22% of people who abuse opioids also abuse Gabapentin

Is it ok to finish taking gabapentin cold turkey?
People who desire to get off neurontin should practise so under the care of a doctor or medical professional. Stopping the drug abruptly can atomic number 82 to seizures and other unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, sweating, fever, and hallucinations. Tapering off the drug without medical supervision is not brash.

Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms

Both those who abuse gabapentin (likewise known as neurontin) and those who have information technology as prescribed can feel some form of withdrawal when the drug is stopped. Research shows that someone taking gabapentin for every bit little as 3 weeks, and at doses every bit depression equally 400 mg a twenty-four hours, may experience withdrawal.iii

Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms are similar to those associated with benzodiazepine and alcohol withdrawal and vary from mild to life-threatening.1,3

The symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal include 1,three,7

  • Irritability
  • Feet
  • Agitation
  • Restlessness
  • Excessive sweating
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Headache
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Fever
  • Hallucinations
  • Rapid center rate or heart palpitations
  • Catatonia or inability to move
  • Status epilepticus – a condition where seizures occur one subsequently another (tin can be fatal)

A dr. or medical professionals at a detox facility can safely manage these symptoms.

Withdrawal Factors

How long does gabapentin withdrawal terminal?

The amount of fourth dimension it takes to detox and the severity of symptoms associated with gabapentin withdrawal depend upon various factors, including:

  • The period of time a person takes gabapentin.
  • The dose prior to stopping gabapentin.
  • The presence of any medical or psychological diagnoses that may complicate detox.

Gabapentin Withdrawal Timeline

What are the side effects of stopping gabapentin suddenly?

A person who stops taking gabapentin or neurontin tin can look to experience withdrawal symptoms within 12-48 hours afterwards their last dose.3

The post-obit is a full general gabapentin withdrawal timeline. The precise detox period and neurontin withdrawal symptoms will vary from person to person.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms

Studies on the gabapentin withdrawal timeline are limited to symptoms within the first calendar week to 10 days of going off of the medication. Even so, you or a loved one may experience symptoms later on withdrawal from gabapentin.

If yous go on to have symptoms, speak to your psychiatrist or other treating physician. These professionals may be able to provide medications that will outset whatsoever symptoms yous may feel subsequently the acute withdrawal stage.

What are the long term furnishings of taking gabapentin?

The fact that gabapentin is associated with withdrawal symptoms suggests that users may develop physiological dependence.

Physiological dependence occurs when neurons in the encephalon suit to business relationship for the regular use of a substance. When the neurons adapt, they rely on the substance to be present to maintain normal functioning. 5

When the substance is no longer present – as would be the case if someone stopped taking gabapentin – the chemicals in the brain may get temporarily dysregulated, and the person may feel uncomfortable symptoms. The combination of these symptoms is considered the withdrawal syndrome. 5

Dependence often develops in conjunction with tolerance. People who are using gabapentin may develop tolerance and crave higher and more than frequent doses to achieve the same effect they previously felt.

Handling

A medically supervised detox plan tin aid people who are on high doses of gabapentin or take been taking it for a long time. Gabapentin detox centers can ease the transition to life without neurontin and help reduce the likelihood that you or a loved one will experience some of the more severe symptoms. Whether you or a loved ane volition require further treatment after detox is a personal decision that you tin can make with your providers.

Several levels of neurontin withdrawal and abuse handling are available, and hundreds of facilities throughout the country offer each level of care. The levels of care include:

  • Detox – Gabapentin detox centers specialize in helping people through the acute phase of substance withdrawal. People are supervised effectually the clock and receive medical and psychiatric attention. Ongoing substance abuse therapy is non the focus at this stage. But the staff will aid conform continued intendance at some other facility following detox. Programs will typically final 3-10 days.
  • Inpatient handling – Inpatient or residential treatment facilities also provide around-the-clock supervision and intendance. People come across with psychiatrists, medical doctors, and therapists on a regular basis. Additionally, they may receive private, grouping, family unit, couples, nutritional, and recreational therapy. Inpatient facilities provide a safety place to recover from addiction and focus on mental, behavioral, and lifestyle changes that contribute to long-term recovery. Program lengths typically start at 28 days and can continue for months.
  • Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) – PHPs and IOPs typically accept place at psychiatric centers, hospitals, or individual practices and primarily focus on group therapy. These programs may also provide weekly family sessions or individual sessions every bit needed. Many PHPs will include medication management, but IOPs often expect that people have outside providers managing any medications.
  • Individual therapy – Individual therapy can be helpful for learning ways to cope with chronic pain and to help piece of work through issues driving drug abuse.

Medications

At this time, no medications have been approved for gabapentin withdrawal treatment. However, physicians may prescribe medications for some of the more uncomfortable side effects of withdrawal.Your dose of gabapentin may be tapered down over a catamenia of a calendar week to several months to reduce withdrawal symptoms and to avert complications associated with stopping gabapentin rapidly.

Can Y'all Taper Off Neurontin on Your Own?

40–65% of people prescribed Gabapentin misuse the drug.
Some people who desire to get off neurontin endeavor to taper at abode. This method is not recommended due to the risk of seizures and neurontin withdrawal symptoms outlined above. The dose has to be reduced gradually, and it tin exist very difficult for some without medical preparation to bear a taper. Taking the wrong dose can lead to dangerous reactions.

Tapering off gabapentin should be done under the guidance of a medical professional to reduce whatever risks. A doc or nurse with experience tapering people who desire to stop using gabapentin tin can decide the proper dose for the taper and accommodate based on your response. They tin can also treat whatsoever complications or withdrawal symptoms that occur during the procedure.

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[1]. Hellwig, T.R., Hammerquist, R. & Termaat, J. (2010). Withdrawal symptoms after Gabapentin discontinuation. American Journal of Health-System Chemist's, 67(xi), 910-912.

[2]. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016). Label: Gabapentin.

[iii]. Encounter, Due south., Hendriks, E. & Hsiung, L. (2011). Akathisia Induced past Gabapentin Withdrawal. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 45(6), e31.

[4]. Drug Enforcement Assistants. (northward.d.). Controlled Substance Schedules.

[5]. National Plant on Drug Abuse. (2007). The Neurobiology of Drug Addiction.

[six]. Smith, R., Havens, J., and Walsh, S. (2016). Gabapentin misuse, corruption and diversion: a systematic review. Addiction 111(seven):1160-1174.

[7]. Melton, Southward. (2014). Has Gabapentin Get a Drug of Abuse? Medscape.