Withdrawal symptoms can begin within 12 hours to 7 days after quitting the medication and last up to 10 days. Symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal may include nausea, dizziness, headaches, insomnia, and anxiety. The answer to the question “Can I stop taking gabapentin cold turkey?” is no. It is not recommended to stop taking gabapentin abruptly without medical supervision. Doing so can result in withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, tremors, nausea, sweating, and even seizures in certain individuals. Can You Stop Gabapentin Cold Turkey? After taking this medication for an extended period of time, your brain becomes used to it. Reducing the dose too quickly or stopping it cold turkey can lead to withdrawal or other serious symptoms like seizures. Tapering or slowly reducing your dose is recommended to stop taking gabapentin. Tapering off will help you avoid side effects. The timeline to reduce gabapentin depends on the The higher the dose you have become accustomed to taking, the more gradual you will need to stop taking this medication. If you quit this medication “cold turkey” it may trigger very dangerous symptoms including seizures. Never quit anything this powerful without slowly tapering off of it. Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities Tapering is the preferable means to quitting gabapentin, as opposed to cold turkey. However, whether an individual stops the medication and the method they use to do this, is ultimately up to the doctor. Learn more about stopping gabapentin cold turkey, including side effects, risks, and the safest way to get off gabapentin. Symptoms of stopping gabapentin can range from harmless to deadly depending on the dosage, duration of medication use, and any pre-existing medical conditions. While gabapentin is not a controlled substance, taking gabapentin without doctor supervision is just as dangerous, as is stopping the medication without consulting a physician. Cold or flu symptoms; Seizures; People who were taking gabapentin for seizures may experience frequent or more frequent seizure activity upon stopping the medication. Due to the potential for relapse, suicidal ideation, and withdrawal seizures, you should never stop taking gabapentin cold turkey. Quitting Gabapentin Cold Turkey: Is it Safe? Quitting gabapentin cold turkey can be unsafe and should be done under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Abruptly stopping gabapentin can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and seizures. It is important to taper off the medication gradually to minimize these risks. Going “cold turkey” can lead to severe complications. One example of this stems from the fact that gabapentin is commonly prescribed for the treatment of seizures. If someone prone to seizures suddenly stops taking gabapentin, they may begin to have seizures that do not stop ( status epilepticus ). 2 This condition is life-threatening and However, abruptly discontinuing gabapentin without medical supervision can lead to various withdrawal symptoms and complications. Seizures, insomnia, anxiety, sweating, and irritability are some of the possible withdrawal symptoms that can occur when stopping gabapentin cold turkey. Can You Quit Gabapentin Cold Turkey? No, It’s Not Recommended. It is not recommended to quit gabapentin cold turkey, as it can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, including: Anxiety: Gabapentin withdrawal can cause intense anxiety, which can be distressing and debilitating. Depression: Patients may experience depression, mood swings, and What Is Gabapentin Withdrawal? Gabapentin withdrawal is when they stop taking the drug, 1,3,7 and people who have been abusing the drug are at risk for more severe symptoms. Is it ok to stop taking gabapentin cold turkey? People who want to get off neurontin should do so under the care of a doctor or medical professional. Gabapentin is FDA-approved to treat conditions like epilepsy, which should not go untreated. It is also commonly used to treat nerve pain, which may flare if you suddenly stop taking the medication. Can You Stop Taking Gabapentin Cold Turkey? You should not stop gabapentin cold turkey. We'll walk you through the safest way to get off gabapentin with the help of a medical professional. Ask your doctor about a tapering off schedule. Often, your doctor will not want you to go off this medication cold turkey. Rather, they'll want you to slowly decrease your dose over time, which can lessen withdrawal symptoms. [1] Gabapentin is a medication that is commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and restless leg syndrome. However, if you have been taking gabapentin for a prolonged period, you may be wondering if it is safe to stop taking it abruptly, or in other words, “cold turkey.” While gabapentin can be very effective in treating these conditions, stopping it abruptly or “cold turkey” is not recommended. Here’s what you need to know about quitting gabapentin safely. Why You Should Not Quit Gabapentin Cold Turkey Exercise, a healthy diet, and sleep can also help. Tapering gabapentin. Tapering protocols vary and they should be individualized to meet the needs of the person stopping gabapentin. Table 1 is an example of a gabapentin tapering schedule but this may not suit everyone. Table 1. Example of a gabapentin taper chart (45 days/7 weeks) Hi Lilcam. If you abruptly stop taking gabapentin; this may increase your risk for nervous system side effects. I've been taking Gabapentin for 5 years. I can increase and decrease dosage without any side affects. But, I haven't tried to stop cold turkey. The withdrawal could spin you right into a seizure.
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