Doctors may prescribe gabapentin as an anticonvulsant to prevent partial seizures in a person with epilepsy. The FDA have also approved gabapentin as a pain reliever for postherpetic neuralgia and similar conditions affecting the nervous system. This pain can occur due to shingles. In addition to these FDA-approved uses, doctors may prescribe gabapentin off-label to treat long-term lower back pain, although some experts have expressed concerns about this use.
Gabapentin may also help relieve symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in people with alcohol use disorder, according to research in JAMA Internal Medicine. Gabapentin belongs to a class of drugs known as gabapentinoids. The chemical structure of gabapentin is similar to that of gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA , a chemical that nerve cells use to transmit signals to muscles or other nerve cells.
Scientists are not sure how gabapentin works to relieve pain or control seizures. The medical community considers gabapentin a generally safe drug, although it can cause side effects.
Learn more about the side effects of gabapentin here. A person who wishes to stop taking gabapentin should first talk with their doctor for advice about side effects and medical supervision to stop taking the medicine safely. Typically, a person should gradually decrease the dose of gabapentin over a minimum of 1 week before discontinuing the drug completely, according to gabapentin prescribing information.
The time that it takes for a person to taper off the drug may depend on the dose of gabapentin and whether any symptoms develop as they decrease the dose. If someone is reducing their dose of gabapentin or switching to another drug, these steps should also occur gradually. Researchers have not studied whether a person who takes gabapentin becomes physically dependent on the drug. However, the prescribing information notes that someone who suddenly stops taking gabapentin may have unpleasant reactions.
These may include:. In addition, drug companies have received reports of people experiencing withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing gabapentin. Possible withdrawal symptoms include :. However, reports of such incidents are rare and have involved people who were taking higher-than-recommended doses to treat conditions for which the FDA have not approved gabapentin.
A person might want to stop taking gabapentin for one of several reasons, including the following:. Tapering off will help you avoid side effects. The timeline to reduce gabapentin depends on the individual and the current dose of the medication.
Your doctor will develop a plan to slowly take you off the medication. This could be lowering the dose over a week or over several weeks. You may experience anxiety, agitation, or insomnia when your dose is reduced. Remember the schedule is flexible and your comfort is important. If you experience seizures, shortness of breath, or other serious symptoms call or seek medical attention immediately.
Gabapentin is also used off-label to treat chronic pain as an alternative to opioid medications , alcohol use disorder AUD , and substance use disorder SUD. Greater numbers of prescriptions means more access to gabapentin. The risk of misuse is higher among those with an existing SUD — 15 to 22 percent. Overdose deaths have been reported when combined with other drugs.
Studies show an increase in overdose deaths in recent years linked to the rise in the number of overall prescriptions. Certain drugs like opioids taken together increase the danger of overdose. Several states are currently considering legislation to help stop this misuse.
Many have put special monitoring requirements in place for gabapentin. This might include a conversation about reducing or stopping the medicine for several reasons. Gabapentin has some side effects associated with it.
Some might be serious or bothersome enough to stop the medicine. Central nervous system CNS depressants like alcohol and opioids taken together with gabapentin can increase drowsiness and dizziness. Harmful effects can also include problems with breathing and mental status changes. Risk of death with co-use of opioids and gabapentin is up to 60 percent greater with doses of gabapentin over milligrams per day.
Remember, taking gabapentin might improve your symptoms of nerve pain or seizures but stopping the medication could bring symptoms back. If the cost of your medication is too high, ask your pharmacist or doctor about other medication choices. These are all important reasons to consider stopping gabapentin. Remember, you and your healthcare providers are partners. They can create a safe plan to stop the medicine and find an alternative that works better.
Gabapentin can cause sedation and increase the effects of certain pain medications like opioids used before or after surgery. If you or someone you love is experiencing serious signs of gabapentin withdrawal, such as confusion or delirium, do not hesitate to seek emergency medical attention.
If you are planning to stop taking gabapentin, you will want to make an appointment with your prescribing doctor or a primary care doctor who can help see you through the tapering process.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. If you have been using gabapentin with opioids, withdrawal from each substance can complicate the other. If you are being treated for opioid withdrawal, be sure to tell your doctor about your gabapentin use. The same goes for alcohol. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life.
Gabapentin: Abuse, Dependence, and Withdrawal. Ann Pharmacother. Norton JW. Gabapentin Withdrawal Syndrome.
Clin Neuropharmacol. Neonatal Gabapentin Withdrawal Syndrome. Pediatr Neurol. Opioid Misuse and Addiction Treatment. Updated January 14, Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellMind. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes.
Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Signs and Symptoms. Coping and Relief. Long-Term Treatment. Common Symptoms The most common symptom was agitation, occurring in about half of the recorded cases. Confusion and disorientation were the next most common symptoms, followed by: Sweating Gastrointestinal symptoms Tremors Fast heart rate High blood pressure Insomnia.
Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.
0コメント