How to Safely Stop Taking Gabapentin (Neurontin) Medically reviewed by Jenny Yu, MD FACS — Written by Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS — Updated on March 20, 2023 How to stop Hey there! The neurologist put me on gabapentin 300mg once a day at bedtime for a few months because of my numb toes. I no longer have health insurance because the pandemic forced me to leave my job on April. filly asked. I have been taking 5 capsules of 300mg gabapentin 3 times a day for about 3 to 4 months, for neuropathy. I really want/need to taper off and would appreciate your help on how to do so safely. If you feel the symptoms are too severe, ask your doctor if you can stop taking this medication. They may have a suggestion for another medication you can be on instead or discuss how to balance the side effects and keep you seizure-free. [6] Rapidly dropping your gabapentin dose (e.g., from 2400 mg down to 600 mg in one leap). Making large changes without tracking your body’s reactions. Waiting until withdrawal symptoms become unbearable before seeking medical advice. Good Taper: Gradual reductions—like 300 mg every 4–7 days—so the nervous system can adapt. My doctor put me on 300 mg gabapentin at bedtime for nerve pain in my foot. Since I started it, I have been experiencing dizziness loss of balance and just a weird feeling in my head. I've been on it for 6 weeks and I haven't seen much improvement in the pain in my foot. Gabapentin may cause an increased risk of seizures or different types of seizures. It is important to follow the prescribed dosage and not stop or change the medication without consulting a healthcare professional. Gabapentin can impair thinking and motor skills, and it may cause drowsiness. I’m currently taking 600 mg/day (2 x 100 mg Gabapentin 3xs a day) and would like some help weaning off of this. Would you recommend to 1. Take 400 mg/day (2 x 100 mg Gabapentin 2xs a day) or 2. This article looks at the best ways to stop taking gabapentin gradually. It also discusses the potential risks of stopping too quickly, the possible side effects of the drug, and the reasons why 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. Instead, you should work with your doctor to decrease your gabapentin dose slowly over time, generally at Though gabapentin abuse is relatively uncommon, studies have documented its misuse. Gabapentin abuse most often occurs in conjunction with other drugs, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. 2. Does Gabapentin Have a Withdrawal Syndrome? The doctor gave me the following taper schedule for gabapentin that was taken at a dose of 1800 mg for 9 weeks. First two weeks: Taper by 300 mg for 5-7 days. At the end of 2 weeks, I would be at 1200 mg divided 3 times daily Second two weeks: Taper off another 300 mg 5-7 days. Some people may experience tremors, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and insomnia when they stop taking gabapentin suddenly. Never stop taking gabapentin without talking to your doctor first. Gabapentin , sold under the brand name Neurontin , is an anticonvulsant used to treat seizures and nerve pain. The doctor gave me the following taper schedule for gabapentin that was taken at a dose of 1800 mg for 9 weeks. First two weeks: Taper by 300 mg for 5-7 days. At the end of 2 weeks, I would be at 1 How to Safely Taper Off 300 mg Gabapentin. Example Tapering Schedule (General Guideline) Factors Influencing Tapering Schedule; Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1. What is Gabapentin Used For? 2. How Long Does it Take to Experience Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms? 3. Can I Stop Gabapentin if I Only Take 300 mg Once a Day? 4. Is 300 mg a High My neurologist started me on gabapentin, 300 mg 3 times a day. After tracking my experience so I could give valid feedback, he changed the dosage to 300 mg in the a.m. and 300x3 or 900 mg at bedtime. Because I was depressed and suicidal, he added nortryptiline, 25 mg in the morning. A study on gabapentin abuse from 1993 through 2015 showed that people who experienced withdrawal were taking an average of 3,000 mg (600 to 8,000 mg) of gabapentin per day, but some case reports mention withdrawal symptoms after taking dosages of 400 to 800 mg per day for at least 3 weeks. Gabapentin is available in the following formulations 100mg, 300mg,400mg capsules and 600mg and 800mg tablets Change (e.g. 10 STOP 300mg 300mg Stopping gabapentin. It's important you do not suddenly stop taking gabapentin, even if you feel fine. Stopping gabapentin suddenly can cause serious problems. If you have epilepsy, stopping gabapentin suddenly can cause seizures that will not stop. If you're taking it for any reason and stop suddenly, you may have a severe withdrawal syndrome. If you've been prescribed Gabapentin and no longer need to take it, gradually stopping is important to avoid dangerous side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Learn more.
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