The process of tapering off gabapentin generally varies, often extending beyond a week, tailored to the individual’s needs, dosage, and treatment duration. Never take it upon yourself to reduce your dose or stop gabapentin “cold turkey,” as this can make the withdrawal symptoms worse. 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 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. 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. Below are some withdrawal symptoms that you may experience when withdrawing from Gabapentin. Keep in mind that you Gabapentin is no exception. If you believe you’re pregnant, be sure to consult a licensed physician so that they can determine an alternative for you to detox and undergo treatment in a way that is safe for both you and the baby based upon your specific needs. Gabapentin Detox & Tapering. Individuals should not stop taking gabapentin on their Not recommended by doctors: Medical providers do not recommend quitting gabapentin cold turkey because of the health risks involved. While the prospect of getting off gabapentin may be appealing, doing it in an unsafe way can jeopardize your health. While it may be tempting to stop taking gabapentin abruptly, this can pose serious risks to your health. Suddenly discontinuing the medication can lead to a number of uncomfortable and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. One of the main risks of quitting gabapentin “cold turkey” is the potential for increased seizures. 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. 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. Learn more about stopping gabapentin cold turkey, including side effects, risks, and the safest way to get off gabapentin. 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. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is approved to treat seizures and nerve pain.It’s also used off-label to treat withdrawal symptoms in alcohol use disorder. But, you shouldn’t stop taking gabapentin suddenly. 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. How Long Does Gabapentin Withdrawal Last? In 2017, a study published in the journal Addiction noted that users who abuse heroin with gabapentin are at an increased risk of lethal overdose. 7 A pain and addiction specialist told the Louisville Courier-Journal that while gabapentin is unlikely to cause problems on its own, it could cause respiratory depression and death if mixed with opioids like illicit fentanyl and heroin. 8 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. You can't stop giving your dogs gabapentin cold turkey. Gabapentin works by interacting with the brain and spinal cord. If you just stop cold turkey, your dog could experience withdrawal symptoms, such a withdrawal induced seizures and rebound pain. 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. 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. 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.
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