Author: Charles Frank

Gabapentin Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, Treatment

If you start to feel that you need more of the drug to function, stopping suddenly is more likely to lead to withdrawal symptoms. Gabapentin can cause sedation and increase the effects of certain pain medications like opioids used before or after surgery. You might need to change the dose of your medications to avoid problems if you’re scheduled for surgery.

An individual struggling with misusing gabapentin may need addiction treatment. Treatment may involve addressing underlying issues and learning techniques to manage stress and to cope with potential triggers and drug cravings. You’ve been taking gabapentin for a little while now, but you’re ready to start weaning off. But how can you taper off carefully without having any harmful side effects? We’ll walk you through the safest way to get off gabapentin with the help of a medical professional.

Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms typically occur within  12 hours to seven days of stopping gabapentin. Most commonly, withdrawal symptoms start after one to two days. Gabapentin is a prescription medication commonly used for nerve pain, seizures, alcohol use disorder, alcohol withdrawal and insomnia. It was once thought to be a safe, non-addictive drug that became widely used for chronic pain and neurological conditions. In 2017, 68 million prescriptions were written for gabapentin, making it the tenth most commonly prescribed medication in the U.S. Misusing means taking gabapentin in higher than prescribed amounts or taking it for reasons not intended by your doctor.

Does Stopping Gabapentin Cause Withdrawal Symptoms?

Many people report uncomfortable symptoms like light sensitivity, headaches and flu-like symptoms while detoxing from gabapentin. More serious risks of gabapentin detox include abdominal cramps, dehydration and seizures. By utilizing medical detox, people ensure that a medical expert can support them should any of these symptoms become severe.

Addiction is a complex disorder of the brain, and it requires a long-term treatment plan. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Risk of death with co-use of opioids and gabapentin is up to 60 percent greater with doses of gabapentin over 900 milligrams per day. The risk of misuse is higher among those who also misuse opioids — 15 to 22 percent. Overdose-related deaths have been reported when combined with other drugs. Talk with a doctor before stopping gabapentin or any other prescribed medication. However, before you stop taking gabapentin, it is important to double-check with your doctor about why it was prescribed.

Gabapentin misuse, particularly if mixed with opioids, can increase the likelihood of a fatal overdose. The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake offers complete care beginning at intake and continuing through the entire recovery process. Our accredited medical detox facility  provides around-the-clock care by licensed healthcare professionals.

What happens when you suddenly stop taking gabapentin?

If you or your loved one are struggling with a gabapentin addiction, Zinnia Health can help. You deserve a happier, healthier life, and we can help you achieve it. If you or someone you love needs help with gabapentin addiction, The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our gabapentin detox and addiction treatment programs and how we can help you on your road to recovery. 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. Gabapentin may also help relieve symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in people with alcohol use disorder, according to research in JAMA Internal Medicine.

1. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment.
2. Most commonly, withdrawal symptoms start after one to two days.
3. Tapering or slowly reducing your dose is recommended to stop taking gabapentin.
4. When you seek the assistance of a professional treatment center, you will gain access to a tapering plan to reduce the severity of side effects.

Gabapentin should not be stopped without talking to a healthcare provider. Stopping gabapentin suddenly can increase the risk of gabapentin withdrawal seizures, especially in people with a history of seizures. Studies have shown that seizures can occur after abruptly stopping gabapentin, even in those who have never had a seizure before. This is mainly due to the risk of misuse and of physical dependence, which leads to gabapentin withdrawal symptoms.

This example shows the importance of detoxifying in a controlled, clinical environment, especially when dealing with a dual diagnosis. This diagnosis is given to patients struggling with two mental health disorders, two substance abuse problems, or a combination. This diagnosis can complicate the treatment process, as symptoms are experienced simultaneously. Gradually stopping gabapentin is important to avoid dangerous side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor can supervise a tapering plan to successfully stop gabapentin use.

What Causes Gabapentin Withdrawal?

Resuming your normal dose of gabapentin will get rid of potentially dangerous symptoms, like delirium. Research shows that symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal occur between 12 hours and seven days of discontinuation. However, most patients experience gabapentin withdrawal symptoms between 24 and 72 hours. The most common symptom is agitation, followed by confusion, excessive sweating, gastrointestinal symptoms, tremors, faster heart rate, and insomnia. The patient had pre-existing health conditions, including depression. When she stopped taking gabapentin, she developed a wide range of symptoms, including agitation, anxiety, confusion, restlessness, and disorientation.

Treatment Programs

After detox, our inpatient and outpatient programs are available to help you live a drug-free life. It can be physically and emotionally draining, but you do not have to do it alone. A professional detox center can make the experience easier, safer and more comfortable. According to the FDA, the risk of breathing problems appears to be lower in healthy people who take only gabapentin. The FDA warning also applies to people taking pregabalin (Lyrica), which is another gabapentinoid.

This sample of cases is unlikely to be reflective of most people’s experiences with gabapentin withdrawal. The reason for this is that only people with severe or alarming symptoms seek emergency medical treatment. Among the documented cases, gabapentin withdrawal began between 12 hours and 7 days after the last dose. As reports of gabapentin abuse continue to increase, more research is being conducted on its effects. For example, gabapentin misuse can produce euphoria similar to opioid misuse. When combined with other central nervous system depressants, respiratory depression can result.