Gabapentin withdrawal can begin within 12 hours and last up to 7 days. As of 2023, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has not classified gabapentin as a controlled substance because experts have always believed it showed little potential for abuse or dependence. 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. Can You Stop Taking Gabapentin Cold Turkey? You should not stop gabapentin cold turkey. Suddenly stopping the drug can cause withdrawal symptoms and the underlying condition that gabapentin is treating may flare, which can be dangerous. 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. But when abused, gabapentin can cause physical dependency and increase the risk for an overdose. While patients may have good intentions when quitting the drug abruptly, quitting cold turkey can be dangerous and increase the risk for serious gabapentin withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, there are also additional risks related to gabapentin use and abuse that could also occur if you or someone you know suddenly stops taking the drug. Risks Of Stopping Gabapentin Cold Turkey. Chronic use of gabapentin can cause you to experience withdrawal symptoms within 24 to 48 hours of your last dose. 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 individual 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 safest way to stop using gabapentin is to taper off the medication under the supervision of a doctor. Are You Covered For Treatment? Case reports have shown that gabapentin withdrawal often lasts for 5 to 10 days, but some people have taken as long as 18 weeks to completely taper off gabapentin while managing withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms may start within 12 hours to 7 days after stopping gabapentin and may be severe. Does stopping gabapentin cause withdrawal, or can you just quit cold turkey? And what are the side effects of coming off gabapentin? We’ll address these and other queries in this post. Never take it upon yourself to reduce your dose or stop gabapentin “cold turkey,” as this can make the withdrawal symptoms worse. Speak to your doctor if you wish to stop taking gabapentin and follow the recommended taper schedule. Get help for drug or alcohol addiction. Contact us today to learn about your options. Treating Gabapentin Dependence is when a person’s body requires a drug to function properly. Regular use of neurontin can result in dependence. If the drug is suddenly stopped “cold turkey” rather than tapering off it, withdrawal symptoms can result. 9. Stopping neurontin suddenly may cause an increase in seizure activity in those who have seizure disorders. 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 People who wish to quit gabapentin should work with a physician to taper off the medication. 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. Alternatives to quitting abruptly. Quitting gabapentin abruptly can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. However, there are alternatives to quitting cold turkey that can help to minimize these symptoms and ensure a safer transition. 1. Gradually tapering off the dosage. One alternative to quitting gabapentin abruptly is to gradually reduce 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. Always discuss reducing or stopping your gabapentin dose with your healthcare provider. 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] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source 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. While you haven't been on gabapentin for an extended period of time, 6 weeks of consistent dosing is long enough for blood levels to be at a steady state been, increasing the risk of withdrawal effects if you stop cold turkey. If withdrawal effects do happen, they typically occur one to two days after stopping. 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
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