How can I come off gabapentin safely? I have take 300mgs 3 times a day. I don't like how I feel on them and have been on them for 2 months. Any help would be appreciated.
How to wean off of gabapentin? Can not get an answer from the doctor?
Question posted by chellerae79 on 13 Jan 2016
Last updated on 18 January 2018
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5 Answers
chuck1957
16 Jan 2016
chellerae; for anti-anxiety IF I were you I would stick with the Klonopin until you have the Gabapentin is taken care of, Then ones that seem to work well for most would be Buspar, Vistaril, are some good choices to try. hope things continue to improve for you
chuck1957
15 Jan 2016
Color, Sorry I keep trying to re friend you but they still don't have me fixed. I really like your answer thanks..Chuck THUMBS UP DEAR.
coloresue
16 Jan 2016
Ooooohh, careful about asking "to be fixed"! You might get what you asked for! ;o)
P.S. I hope the problems get repaired soon.
chellerae79
16 Jan 2016
Been a few days so far so good only a slight headache having a little trouble sleeping. Mild anxiety have klonopin for bad times. Now a week into celexa 20mg, and I see the doctor the 22nd to up the dose. What is a good anxiety med that is not a benzo? Thanks for all the help
coloresue
17 Jan 2016
I agree with Chuck that Buspar/buspirone and Vistaril/hydroxyzine are some good choices to try. But please let your Dr. lead the way in choosing a drug. I am no expert in this area and Chuck knows more than I. Some Drs. prefer to go with beta-blockers and I'm sure that depends on the patient's medical needs.
chuck1957
15 Jan 2016
chellerae79;;Call another pharmacy I would have answerd this even if you were not my customer my question is why stay with this doctor if they can't answer this question call the office and ask again. IF YOU DO NOT GET AN ANSWER ITS TIME TO FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR. I would like you to follow coloresue ANSWER to the T as we old people say. it could be if you just dropped one pill a day you might feel better. I was on 2700mg a day and just stoped it and had no problems but I don't reccomend it. if the worse comes to worse call a few chain stores in your area and ask them. But your pharmacist you could call back and say your having problems getting it lowered what is a slower way of stopping it.
were it me telling my sister to tapper it down if she was to ask me I would say sis I want you to stop one capsule every 2 weeks like the mid day one to start then after 2 weeks sis I want you to stop the am one and in 2 more weeks if your not having any problems you can go ahead and stop the evening one. but if you notice anything different when you stop any of those doses start it back up. and leave it there for 3 weeks.between dose changes AND ALSO SISTER BECAUSE I LOVE YOU i want you to find another Doctor that well call you back when you need it and if you can't count on your pharmacist its time to change stores too. because as I HAVE TOLD YOU SIS YOU ALWAYS BUY ALL YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS FROM JUST ONE PHARMACY AND ALL YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS EVEN IF ITS FROM OTHER DOCTORS YOU HAVE TO FILL THEM AT THAT SAME PHARMACY. you have only been on it two months Sis so the 2 week one should work. Have a great weekend Chellerae79 and I well talke to you sis later.
You lil Brother Chuck Medically retired pharmacy techniecian Cpht
Mams60
19 Jan 2018
I’ve been on Gabapentin 900mg 3 times a day for over 3 years for Peripheral Neuropathy in my legs, I am not a diabetic. I have severe pain so the dosage has went to this. I have taken other pain medication, along with this ( All Prescribe by my Doctor). I’ve had so many surgeries on my legs for circulation, to get some relief. I never take anything without a prescription and I always use the same pharmacy so there’s no confusion. I have had 2,3 even 4 other medical opinions. Nothing without hard drugs can help the pain they say. I refuse to take anything worse than what I have. I have even contemplated taking CBD oil, and get off ALL the medications. I do take 5 others. I have even seen a Doctor for that and the State has approved me for a Medical marijuana card. My question is from your opinion you is this a better way? I don’t smoke & never have, I don’t drink & never have, Never did drugs.
I have literally became overwhelmed trying to research this. Both of my Doctors Medical & Eye (I have Glacoma)say it would benefit me. They are the ones told me of the Doctor to go see. Again Thanks
coloresue
15 Jan 2016
Ask the pharmacist where you got the prescription filled. He or she is the expert in this field and can tell you what you need to know. Be careful about letting this Dr. prescribe medicine for you in the future. The fact that you can't get a straight answer on how to taper off on your gabapentin is a warning sign that he or she doesn't know enough about drugs to be giving and taking them away from patients. This is sad but obviously true.
chellerae79
15 Jan 2016
The sad thing is its a husband and wife team that has been doing this for 30+ years. I was told to go to 2 pills for a few days then one and down to none.
coloresue
16 Jan 2016
I'm sorry to hear that. I researched different ways of tapering off of gabapentin plus stopping cold turkey or nearly so and found many people had severe problems with the process. That makes it very important to follow good advice in how to taper off of your present dose. I see plenty of opportunity for a losing lawsuit for a careless attitude about a patient asking for a plan on tapering off of gabapentin. Please make sure you are well advised on how to proceed and take it slowly.
manager5
14 Jan 2016
Hi Chellerae79,
I would pose this question to "drugs.com". Put the question in drugs.com search engine and you should get an answer. In general weaning yourself off of any medication should be gradual. You were taking 300 mg. Start taking 200 mg for three days and then cut down to 100mg, 50mg, and finally 25 until you are not taking any at all. This is a basic remedy so that your system eases off of the drug. Good luck and keep hanging in there... you can almost see the light... Manager5.
chellerae79
14 Jan 2016
I only have 300mg pills. I don't know what to do the doctor just wants me to stop.I'm worried
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Further information
- Gabapentin uses and safety info
- Gabapentin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Gabapentin (detailed)
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