Gabapentinoid suggested tapering regimes Pregabalin and gabapentin should only be prescribed where there is evidence of neuropathic changes / neuropathic pain, and even then 50% of patients will not get any benefit at all. There are three basic approaches to a benzodiazepine taper: (1) use the same medication for tapering; (2) switch to a longer-acting equivalent; and (3) use adjunctive medications to help mitigate Gabapentin and pregabalin both require dose adjustment in individuals with reduced renal function. Consult the summary of product characteristics (SmPC) for gabapentin and pregabalin for further information before determining an equivalent dose and switching strategy. Conversion between Lyrica and gabapentin is generally well tolerated and direct switching minimizes potential for gaps in pain relief. In the absence of seizure history, the drugs can be directly interchanged; patients can be advised to discontinue Lyrica and begin gabapentin the following day. INTRODUCTION. When patients respond poorly to an antidepressant medication or exhibit intolerable side effects, and switching to another antidepressant is indicated, clinicians should be familiar with the pharmacology of each drug, the potential for drug-drug interactions and discontinuation symptoms, and the time to onset of effectiveness of the new medication. Cross-taper: A pharmacokinetic simulation model compared a stop/start approach with a four-day cross-taper whereby 50% of the gabapentin dose and 50% of the target pregabalin dose is given for four days, followed by discontinuation of gabapentin and use of target dose of pregabalin.5 Both approaches were pharmacokinetically comparable. Key E Taper and stop original drug then wait 24 hours to start the start new drug A Cross taper cautiously F Taper and stop original drug then wait 24 hours to start the start new drug at low dose B Cross taper cautiously and start new drug at low dose G Taper and stop original drug then wait ** period of time ** to start the start new drug Cautious cross taper (when the dose of the first drug is being reduced and the dose of the second drug is being increased at the same time so that the patient is taking both antidepressants) may be used in the indicated instances if appropriate and safe. Analgesic Tapering Guidelines for adult patients with persistent pain patients taking strong opioids and/or gabapentinoids. Prescribing of gabapentinoids for neuropathic pain should be reviewed in line with the criteria set out in NICE4 and should be gradually discontinued if ineffective. There are no validated dose conversions between gabapentin and pregabalin due to differences in pharmacokinetics and varying efficacy seen in studies. However, some authors have proposed dose conversions based on these parameters (see Tables 1 and 2). One switching method suggests daily doses of gabapentin between 901 to 1,500 mg/day should be converted to pregabalin 225 mg/day in two divided •Cross-titration is preferred: over course of 1-4 weeks, lower original medication at 50% increments while gradually increasing the newer medication per guidelines •Direct switch is useful in three scenarios: 1. When switching to another agent in the same or similar class 2. When original antidepressant has been used for <1 week 3. 2. Cross-taper: A pharmacokinetic simu-lation model compared a stop/start approach with a four-day cross-taper whereby 50% of the gabapentin dose and 50% of the target pregabalin dose is given for four days, followed by discontinuation of gabapentin and use of target dose of pregabalin.5 Both approaches were pharmacokinetically comparable. 3. Cross-taper: A pharmacokinetic simu-lation model compared a stop/start approach with a four-day cross-taper whereby 50% of the gabapentin dose and 50% of the target pregabalin dose is given for four days, followed by discontinuation of gabapentin and use of target dose of pregabalin.5 Both approaches were pharmacokinetically comparable. A tapering period of at least one week is generally recommended when withdrawing or changing gabapentinoids to minimise adverse effects; cross tapering, start/stop and taper down and up-titration, are three approaches that can be used to switch between gabapentinoids o Stop gabapentin, initiate pregabalin at next scheduled dose period Cross-taper Co-administer 50% of gabapentin dose + 50% of desired pregabalin dose for 4 days o Discontinue gabapentin after day 4 and increase pregabalin to target dose after day 4 Transitioning patients from gabapentin to pregabalin could be achieved by either approach If using gabapentin for other indications, it is recommended to taper gabapentin for at least one week. Other sources recommend to taper more slowly, employing a 25% dose reduction every week. Whatever method you employ, it is prudent to be conservative in your dose reduction and go slowly. Both transition designs were studied at 3 dosage levels: gabapentin 900 mg/d to pregabalin 150 mg/d, gabapentin 1800 mg/d to pregabalin 300 mg/d, and gabapentin 3600 mg/d to pregabalin 600 mg/d. Overall drug exposure achieved during the 2 transition designs was the sum of the gabapentin and pregabalin concentrations, expressed as pregabalin Cross-tapering. This method is described in the literature. How to conduct cross-tapering. prescribe half the dosage of the initial medication along with half an equivalent dosage of the replacement medication for two to four days (1) The primary outcome was the proportion of rotations using a direct switch strategy compared to a cross-taper strategy. Secondary outcomes were successful rotation, defined as stable or improved pain scores pre- to post-rotation, dose ratios, and adverse effects. • If a patient develops acute pancreatitis, gabapentin discontinuation should be considered • History of substance abuse, psychotic illness. • Diabetes mellitus. Drug interactions • Gabapentin with opioids or TCAs: CNS depression. • Gabapentin with TCAs or duloxetine: increased risk of hyponatraemia Time to response: 2 weeks. Time to
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