Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms, signs, and side effects
What are the symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal?
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant drug prescribed for seizures and neuropathic pain. People who develop a physical dependence on gabapentin may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to get rid of it. These symptoms can begin within 12 hours to 7 days after stopping the drug and last up to 10 days. Symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal may include nausea, dizziness, headache, insomnia, and anxiety.
What is gabapentin?
Gabapentin (marketed under the brand names Neurontin, Gralise, and Horizant) is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat partial seizures, postherpetic neuralgia, and other types of neuropathic pain. Horizant extended-release formulation is approved for the treatment of restless leg syndrome.
Although gabapentin abuse is relatively uncommon, studies have documented its abuse. Gabapentin abuse often occurs in combination with other drugs, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. 2
Does gabapentin suffer from withdrawal syndrome?
Even those who take gabapentin as prescribed may develop some physical dependence; However, those who abuse it or abuse it recreationally may experience significant levels of dependence and withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit using it or slow down its use. There have been documented cases of withdrawal symptoms in people who have taken daily doses between 400 mg to 8000 mg for at least 3 weeks.
Gabapentin withdrawal syndrome may also resemble some of the symptoms of alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal. This similarity may be due to the fact that gabapentin and these other substances all act on gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Initial withdrawal symptoms associated with gabapentin and use include:
Worried.
Excitement.
insomnia.
fatigue.
Insomnia.
irritability;
Dizziness.
Headache.
photosensitivity;
sweating;
Arrhythmia.
nausea.
Pain.
In addition, people who take gabapentin for seizures and suddenly stop taking it may have a rebound or increased frequency of seizure activity, including persistent, uncontrollable seizures (status epilepticus).
Withdrawal usually occurs within 12 hours to 7 days after stopping the drug. Although the withdrawal schedule is not clearly documented, some studies have noted symptoms lasting up to 10 days.
Factors that can affect withdrawal include:
- age.
dose.
length of use.
Health or mental problems.
Simultaneous use of other drugs or alcohol.In some cases, individuals at risk for or already presenting with severe withdrawal symptoms may require extensive inpatient monitoring and manage medical withdrawal if complications arise.Experts recommend gradually smaller doses of gabapentin to wean a person off the drug safely and comfortably. These reduction schedules are commonly used with medications such as gabapentin that have the potential to cause negative withdrawal effects when you stop taking them.
Gabapentin use can be phased out over the course of one week, but the exact schedule depends on the person’s particular situation. Slow tapering may allow the drug to be stopped more safely. Experts recommend decreasing the daily dose by a maximum of 300 mg every 4 days.
More on withdrawals and schedules
- Ativan
benzodiazepine
Concerta
opium
Suboxone
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Why do gabapentin withdrawal symptoms occur? (What are the symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal)
Since the mechanism of action of the drug is still somewhat unclear, the phenomenon of gabapentin withdrawal is not fully understood. However, the presence of withdrawal symptoms in users indicates the development of physical dependence in those taking the drug over time.
With regular use, a person’s body adapts and basically begins to anticipate the presence of a substance and will depend on it to function normally.
Some drugs and illegal drugs may develop physical dependence in people who use them for more than a few weeks. With regular use, a person’s body adapts and basically begins to anticipate the presence of a substance and will depend on it to function normally. When a dependent person stops taking the drug or drastically reduces the amount of the drug they use on a regular basis, they will likely soon experience the onset of withdrawal.
Dependence often develops along with tolerance, in which a person’s system does not respond to the drug in the same way it did before. A person must take higher and higher doses to achieve the effect they experienced when they first started using it.
Find out why gabapentin withdrawal symptoms occur (What are the symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal)
Physiological dependence is often confused with addiction. But the two are not the same thing. For example, a person who uses a drug to treat a chronic condition may develop some physical dependence on the drug. But if they continue to use the drug safely according to the purposes for which it was prescribed and under the supervision of their doctor and do not show any other signs of compulsive abuse, they will not be considered addicted.
People who abuse gabapentin or use it recreationally are more likely to develop significant dependence. However, maladaptive patterns of gabapentin abuse may also develop in people who were initially prescribed the drug but began abusing it. If you or someone you care about is using drugs, talk to your doctor or seek help from a rehabilitation program or addiction specialist.
