How long does gabapentin withdrawal last?
Verywell / Gary Ferster
What is the most important information I should know about gabapentin withdrawal?
Gabapentin, sold under the brand nameNeurontin, is an anticonvulsant used to treat seizures and nerve pain.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
It is also sometimes prescribed off-label to treat migraines, fibromyalgia, and pain.
If you’ve been on this drug for some time, you may experience withdrawal when discontinuing its use.
Gabapentin withdrawal can begin within 12 hours and last up to 7 days.
However, several states have independently declared it as a controlled substance.
Gabapentin Withdrawal Prevalence
It is rare to experiencewithdrawalsymptoms from gabapentin, but it does happen.
Case reports are significant because they help further knowledge and identify subjects worthy of future research.
Its possible that many people simply dont seek treatment for gabapentin withdrawal.
Gabapentin Withdrawal and Other Drug Use
The illicit use of gabapentin also seems to be increasing.
In the case reports, all patients had past drug or alcoholaddictionissues.
Opioid users have reported using gabapentin to intensify their high.
Cocaine users have reported the same, as well as attempts to use gabapentin to help alleviatecocaine withdrawal.
Among the cases reported, gabapentin withdrawal symptoms typically peaked three days after someones last dose.
This sample of cases is unlikely to be reflective of most peoples experiences with gabapentin withdrawal.
The reason for this is that only people with severe or alarming symptoms seek emergency medical treatment.
There are no clinical protocols designed to manage gabapentin withdrawal.
You and your healthcare provider can work together to figure out the best way forward.
The general consensus seems to be that tapering off the drug can help prevent severe gabapentin withdrawal symptoms.
Your healthcare provider will talk about the risks and benefits of stopping gabapentin.
Depending on your situation, risks could include seizures,opioid dependence, or pain.
Your healthcare provider may advise transitioning to a different medication before tapering off gabapentin completely.
Individual and group therapy sessions can teach you to recognize the negative behavioral patterns that lead you toward drugs.
A counselor, therapist, or psychologist can also help you develop strategies for dealing with triggers and cravings.
Your current dose of gabapentin and your reasons for taking it are also important factors.
Seek medical attention if you or someone you love is already experiencing gabapentin withdrawal symptoms.
If your loved one is showing signs of confusion or psychosis, take them to the emergency room.
They can help you safely taper your dose.
Tapering means taking progressively smaller doses of medication over a period of several weeks or months.
How slowly should you come off gabapentin?
Gabapentin Withdrawal Warnings
While gabapentin withdrawal may not be well understood, the recorded cases are alarming.
Pre-Existing Conditions
During detox and gabapentin withdrawal, the symptoms of pre-existing conditions often return.
People with a history ofbipolar disorder,psychosis,depression, and epilepsy are all at risk.
If you have been taking gabapentin for pain, your pain may return to pretreatment levels.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, gabapentin can have unpredictable effects.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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Mersfelder TL, Nichols WH.Gabapentin: Abuse, dependence, and withdrawal.Ann Pharmacother.
