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Gabapentin, an anxiolytic drug that is also used off-label to treat alcohol withdrawal, is a potential candidate for modulating benzodiazepine withdrawal. This is not true. I have first hand knowledge of most patients tapering off of Gabapentin without issues. The WD that occurs, when it occurs, is a drop in the ocean compared to benzos when the drug is used at lower doses (100-900 mg) and it does NOT work on GABA receptors in the way benzos do. Different mechanisms underlying the efficacy of gabapentin in benzodiazepine withdrawal can be considered. Although it has no direct effect on GABA receptors or transporters, it has some GABA-ergic activity, which may be sufficient to compensate the benzodiazepine-related GABA activity. Similar to alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal, gabapentin affects gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a key neurotransmitter in the brain. Common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, headaches, and irritability. In severe cases, particularly for those on high doses or with seizure disorders, withdrawal leads to seizures. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be a long and difficult process, but there are steps that physicians can take to help their patients survive the process. Tapering the drug slowly and switching to a long half-life benzodiazepine may be helpful, as may adjunctive medications and coping skills. Encouraging acceptance and finding a support system can also be key to surviving benzodiazepine withdrawal. I have been off Klonopin almost a year. I saw a doctor that specializes in this protracted withdrawal. I asked if this would eventually go away, my symptoms, and she said it’s been a year so it is optimistic to think it will go away anytime soon and how long do I want to live with the symptoms 5, 10, 15 years. She prescribed Gabapentin. 100 The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) recommends gabapentin for treating withdrawal symptoms as follows: (I) Gabapentin is an appropriate alternative to benzodiazepines for mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal. Efficacy of Gabapentin versus Benzodiazepines in the Management of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome . Douglas R. Fredona RN, BSN, PCCN, CNRN A masters project completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements I then took Gabapentin for about 2 weeks post jump from the benzos. I personally felt Gabapentin saved my life and allowed me to get off Benzos. It acts on the same receptors but isn’t going to hit as hard as a benzo. Most people I was in treatment with took Gabapentin to ease withdrawal symptoms. USA: Gabapentin and benzodiazepine combination is safe for the treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal, according to findings from a recent study. The results were presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting (virtual meeting) held from May 1-3, 2021. "Gabapentin in Addiction Treatment In the last few years, several studies have demonstrated that gabapentin can be a helpful resource for treating substance abuse in various ways. Specifically, it is useful in treating withdrawal and maintaining abstinence in people struggling with alcohol, benzodiazepine, and opioid addiction. In 2021, the American Psychiatric Association presented a study on the possibility of treating benzodiazepine dependence, abuse, and withdrawal with gabapentin. According to the psychiatrists, the two drugs share similar mechanisms, making gabapentin an effective adjunct treatment. See Benzo Taper Tables: Taper benzodiazepine over 2-6 months (longer for higher doses) Patients experiencing difficulty with taper may benefit from: Gabapentin 300 mg HS the day before stopping the final 10-20% of benzodiazepine dose. Titrate to gabapentin 300 mg TID - QID Continue gabapentin for 3 months or longer Addition of an anticonvulsant (e.g., gabapentin [Neurontin]) should be considered for high-dosage withdrawal. Researchers found a total daily dose of 600 mg to 1,800 mg of gabapentin reduced withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, they reported no complications with the combination of gabapentin Wanted to see what opinions were on taking gabapentin for the crippling anxiety that comes with benzo withdrawals. I’ve real a couple of success stories where it helped a couple of patients with PAWS and then I’ve also read where the gabapentin didn’t work. Also heard it was a drug that might be Benzodiazepines are currently the gold standard for treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Gabapentin has growing evidence to support its use in the treatment of alcohol use disorder, however there is limited evidence regarding its role in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Gabapentin will mask benzo withdrawal symptoms. That may seem like a good thing, but when you finally reduce/eliminate the gabapentin, the benzo withdrawal symptoms may still be there. And/or gabapentin withdrawal may occur. It's difficult to tell the difference. Gabapentin will mask benzo withdrawal symptoms. That may seem like a good thing, but when you finally reduce/eliminate the gabapentin, the benzo withdrawal symptoms may still be there. And/or gabapentin withdrawal may occur. Here’s what the current StatPearl (last update: February 2024) has to say about the mechanism of action of gabapentin: ”Although the exact mechanism of action with the GABA receptors is unknown, researchers know that gabapentin freely passes the blood-brain barrier and acts on neurotransmitters.
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