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. Stopping the drug abruptly can lead to seizures and other unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, sweating, fever, and hallucinations. 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? Stopping any prescription drug all at once, including gabapentin, can come with certain risks. Stopping gabapentin cold-turkey could lead to withdrawal and other negative side effects of gabapentin discontinuation. 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 syndrome can manifest with a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. Due to the potential for relapse, suicidal ideation, and withdrawal seizures, you should never stop taking gabapentin cold turkey. Talk to your healthcare provider about stopping the medication if it is prescribed to you or seek help from a trusted drug detox center . Gradually stopping gabapentin is important to avoid dangerous side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Don’t stop taking the medication on your own. Your doctor can supervise a tapering plan to Currently 4 months off 900mg per day cold Turkey after 10 years of being on. came off it a few times over 10 years and was fine , now it’s unbearable. 4 months later I’m dealing with bouts of severe depression and crying episodes. 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. 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 Seizures, insomnia, anxiety, sweating, and irritability are some of the possible withdrawal symptoms that can occur when stopping gabapentin cold turkey. If you are considering stopping gabapentin, it is strongly recommended to consult with your healthcare provider to develop an appropriate tapering plan tailored to your individual needs. 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. You should not stop gabapentin cold turkey, as doing so can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Instead, you should taper (slowly decrease) your gabapentin dose over a period lasting at least a week . Depending on your dose of gabapentin, your taper may be longer. 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] 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. 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. 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 Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, depression, headaches, insomnia, and a general feeling of malaise. If you’re planning to stop taking Gabapentin, it’s best to taper your dosage slowly with the help of your doctor. Going cold turkey can lead to withdrawal symptoms that are difficult to manage. Severe withdrawal symptoms: Going cold turkey can cause very uncomfortable and even dangerous withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, sweats, heart palpitations, and insomnia. Psychological effects: Sudden gabapentin withdrawal can include mood swings, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Seizures: One of the biggest dangers associated with cold turkey or sudden discontinuation of Gabapentin is that of seizures. There have even been reports of people experiencing seizures from relatively low doses.
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