Gabapentin and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Hon...
• May 18, 2021

For Pain "This is decent medication at a low dose like 100 mg twice a day, but the problem is the body will get used to that and will need a higher dose. A higher dose at 350 mg twice a day made me feel like I was drunk. People thought I was using heroin. I nodded off. I fell asleep standing at the ATM machine. So embarrassing. This stuff will make you have memory loss. You may think you see people who aren't there. It had people thinking I was doing hard street drugs. I wrecked my car on this medication, fell asleep standing in line at the grocery store, dropped too many drinks out of my hands to even count. This medication is awful, and for me, it is not beneficial due to the horrifying side effects. They give this stuff out in place of opiates. People are in rehab for this drug too. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor, stay away from this awful so-called medication."

• Vnu...
• August 16, 2018

For Insomnia "I've had horrible anxiety, insomnia, restless leg & depression for years that has disturbed my sleep. I've tried many meds such as Seroquel, Trazodone, Benadryl, Melatonin, Xanax, Ativan, etc., all eventually stopped working or had lingering effects. I started taking Gabapentin when I developed Shingles & noticed I started sleeping better. Sleeping uninterrupted through the night, my legs and body no longer felt restless. At first, I had some side effects the next day, being groggy & foggy but after my body became used to the drug within a few weeks, it disappeared. Now I take 600mg every night an hour before bed, and I sleep like a baby & wake up rested. Even if I wake at night, I don't feel 'drugged up' or in a zombie-like state. I feel calm & sleepy. After all these years of taking so many meds to help me calm down and sleep, I never considered Gabapentin to be so wonderful & just what I needed. I'm 38 and a nurse & can't say enough about Gabapentin. I have had wonderful results."

• try...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2014

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I have been taking Gabapentin for about two weeks now, starting at 300mg at night which knocked me out! I had been having terrible pain in hips and legs, and sciatic pain at night, and tingling/numbness in hands in the morning. It made me sleepy the first week but now starting to get used to it. Still a little clumsy but getting better. Now increased dose to 300mg at bedtime and 300mg in the morning after breakfast. I feel so much better now. Side effects other than sleepiness are not apparent so I am much encouraged. Thank you Gabapentin!"

• Dut...
• April 19, 2014

For Pain "I have suffered from the pain of arthritis and disc degeneration in my lower back and neck. I also have fibromyalgia. As if that wasn't enough, I have been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This medication has been great for me. I've only been on it for 4 days and already my pain has been greatly reduced. I haven't had to take any Percocet, which is great. I have had to take a couple Tylenol. It has also really helped reduce my anxiety and depression. I really hope it keeps working. I take 300 mg around 1 PM and two 300 mg capsules at night. Side effects are minimal. I'm still a bit drowsy in the morning, but it's nothing a good cup of coffee won't cure. It has been a great medication for me."

• rmc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2013

For Peripheral Neuropathy "Started gabapentin at 300 mg daily. Moving up an extra 300 mg every 3 days. Was extremely sleepy for over two weeks with little or no pain relief...until I started taking 2400 mg, 600 mg three times daily. At this dosage, my pain level dropped significantly and the drowsiness side effect stopped. The pain had been so intense I'd been feeling suicidal...and even opiates were not controlling it. Now, with the 2400 mg daily dose of gabapentin, my neuropathy pain is very well controlled and life is good again. I have experienced no side effects since the first few weeks of drowsiness. Don't let doctors tell you that if 900 mg daily doesn't relieve your pain...that the medicine won't work for you. 1800 mg to 3600 mg is a working dose."

• rmc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2013

For Peripheral Neuropathy "Started gabapentin at 300 mg daily. Moving up an extra 300 mg every 3 days. Was extremely sleepy for over two weeks with little or no pain relief...until I started taking 2400 mg, 600 mg three times daily. At this dosage, my pain level dropped significantly and the drowsiness side effect stopped. The pain had been so intense I'd been feeling suicidal...and even opiates were not controlling it. Now, with the 2400 mg daily dose of gabapentin, my neuropathy pain is very well controlled and life is good again. I have experienced no side effects since the first few weeks of drowsiness. Don't let doctors tell you that if 900 mg daily doesn't relieve your pain...that the medicine won't work for you. 1800 mg to 3600 mg is a working dose."

• Ms ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "It's changed my life. I can finally function with bipolar. I'm sleeping, calm, productive, and I am not indecisive about everything every day. I'm not drowsy, and I can get up on time for work. I'm 45- it's been a 20-year struggle without it."

• Meg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 16, 2014

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I was put on gabapentin right after back surgery on my L4 L5 S1 S2 lower lumbar spine. After 2 years from surgery, I still remain on this medicine due to permanent nerve damage. This medicine managed to calm my nerves at night and get rid of the pain allowing me to fall asleep. I am on 200 mg a night but sometimes only need 100 mg. It has been a lifesaver. I don't take this during the day due to the drowsiness side effect but it works wonderfully. I do wake up extremely thirsty though."

• Jee...
• April 11, 2016

For Anxiety "Battled with anxiety and depression for almost 30 years now. Was on Xanax but got addicted to it and ended up in the hospital recently. Tapered me off the Xanax and gave me Gabapentin 600 mg twice a day. Started seeing a difference in a few days, amazing. Works better on my anxiety than any benzo that I have been on. And I have been on most of them at one point or another. I wake up in a good mood. The only drawback that I have is that the morning dose makes me sleepy till about 11 am but that is it. But I am not complaining because I would rather be sleepy than anxious and depressed."

• Ltb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2020

For Pain "NOT happy. Was given this to take at night only for nerve pain. Have bulging disc and pinched nerve. Did absolutely nothing positively, but am having horrible side effects and am going to stop it. Memory loss, grogginess throughout the day, fuzzy thinking, headache, eye pain."

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2013

For Migraine "I have had chronic, almost daily migraines for almost 25 years. I have been to many neurologists, had many MRIs, and other tests, and have tried many medicines. In the last two years, I have had to take Vicodin because nothing else worked. Well, my doctor prescribed three 100 mg of this pill, and after one pill, I woke up to no migraines. I was in a three-week migraine. I have had no migraines now for two consecutive days, the first time in years. This is a miracle pill. I feel a little groggy, like I have had two drinks, but I have only been on this for two days. I cannot believe the FDA won't allow this pill to be marketed for the treatment of chronic migraines. This pill should also help with restless legs syndrome, back pain, and anxiety. Wow!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2014

For Pain "I have a bulging disc (C4) which traps a nerve leading to severe pain in my right shoulder (at worst) and a near constant tingling and semi-numbness in my left lower arm and hand (at best). I've taken Gabapentin before and had been reluctant to try them again because of the drowsiness, fatigue, and general weirdness I felt the last time, but the pain got the better of me and so I capitulated. I take 1200mg 3 times a day and so far the sharp shoulder pain has gone, however the tingling has not. Apart from having great difficulty coming to full wakefulness in the morning, I feel completely hyperactive and a little manic - not a bad thing as I'm getting a lot done!"

• Nin...
• June 10, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I am 49 and been suffering with fibromyalgia for years. I have been disabled because of it. Six weeks ago I had the worst flare up in years, and the pain was so overwhelming I barely left the house. I got a new doctor who gave me Gabapentin and started me out on the lowest dose possible. I had never heard of it but assumed because of the low dose, 100 mg to start with, it would take a while to feel any effects. I woke up the next morning almost pain free. I felt like I won the lottery. I don't understand what or why it worked so fast, but I thank God for it. I do have drowsiness, but it's well worth it. I have had some pain since then and am still building up my dosage, but my quality of life has improved drastically in just a few days."

• Kra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2014

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I have been taking 300mg of gabapentin 4 weeks ago for moderate neuropathy. My biggest problem was radiating intense pain from the little toe on my right foot. Within days, my pain was totally gone. However, I am constantly very sleepy. Hopefully that will subside over time."

• mid...
• May 12, 2015

For Pain "I'm a 53-year-old male. My first back surgery was when I was 30. I have had a total of 5 lower back surgeries. The last one was a fusion at L5-S1. It turned out to be a big mistake as it caused major nerve damage, leaving my left leg, especially my foot and toes, numb. I have been on hydrocodone for many years, which initially helped, but over time, I developed a tolerance to it. When I saw my new pain doctor, he asked if I had ever taken Neurontin. I said no. He then prescribed me 300mg, up to 4 times a day. This medication has significantly reduced my pain levels. Now, I only take one hydrocodone a day, usually in the morning when I wake up. The downside is feeling groggy and experiencing dry mouth, but I can manage that. Overall, it has made a big difference in my life, and I feel much better."

• hig...
• July 17, 2014

For Anxiety "I have generalized anxiety disorder and have been on SSRIs and Benzodiazepines. The SSRIs made me manic - Zoloft, Buspar, Paxil, etc. I have been in two treatment programs and the hospital for harmful thoughts over the last five years. My doctor put me on Gabapentin and it seemed to work real well. Then a follow-up doc took me off and said I had to take an antidepressant and Xanax to help me sleep. That was a huge mistake. Well, I went back on the Gabapentin, then off again because I thought it was causing a problem, but it was really the Xanax. Now, I have been put back on it 300mg three times a day. I also take a low dose of Remeron and Trazodone to help me sleep. I think it is a good medication for anxiety, and I hope this time I get good results like I did the first time I was on it."

• Cro...
• December 19, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "300 mg of gabapentin was prescribed to me months ago. I use it 'as needed' for restless leg syndrome at bedtime. I also have anxiety and spondylitis, so it may have been a catch-22. It has worked for me... HOWEVER... I cannot see how anyone functions during the day on this med?! It makes me extremely floppy, sleepy, dopey, and forgetful! Everyone is different so I am only wanting to warn you to please be careful if you have a lot of responsibilities and stuff to take care of."

• 3fe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 6, 2013

For Anxiety "My psychiatrist started me on Gabapentin for anxiety almost a year ago and it's been a lifesaver. I had no idea how prevalent my anxiety had become until the Gabapentin somehow calmed it down. The constant bouncing of my legs, the tapping of my fingers, the repetitive rhythmic stuff going on in my head and body and the crippling anxiety all just calmed down or went away. I started at 100mg 3x a day and have now settled into a very comfortable 300mg 3x a day. A little drowsiness at first but my body has adjusted and now I feel no side effects at all. When I wake up in the morning and the Gabapentin is out of my system, I'm immediately aware of the anxiety again but it quickly goes away once I take my morning dose."

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2012

Gabapentin for Anxiety "I was prescribed 300 mg Neurontin for anxiety, and it has been amazing. I'm also on a number of other anti-anxiety drugs, however, Neurontin is helping to lessen my anxiety with its sedative effects. I highly recommend trying Neurontin. I tried Lyrica before Neurontin, and Neurontin is more effective and cheaper for me. 8/10!"

• Doo...
• May 18, 2014

For Pain "I have been dealing with right leg pain for over 8 months. I tried chiropractor, physical therapy, massage, and epidural shots after MRI showed narrowing of the spine where the sciatic nerve runs through. I went to a specialist who started me on Gabapentin 100mg three times a day now. I have been on it for 6 days now along with one of my Zipsor 25mg tablets every now and then, not every 4 hours like before. I am feeling much better so far. I still have some pain but it is tolerable. I love the Gabapentin. I was a little drowsy the first couple of days, but now I'm fine. It's my miracle - no surgery for now!"

• SFG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2019

For Insomnia "I was prescribed gabapentin for pain management after lumbar microdecompression/laminectomy surgery. It helped me sleep ALL night without waking up several times. I wake up a bit groggy (200mg before bedtime), but it abates pretty quickly once I get busy with chores. I have woken up during the night on it to use the bathroom, and I fall right back to sleep, no tossing and turning or wishing I could fall back to sleep, which is my usual scenario. I also think I am more calm with less anxiety, but possibly that is the result of a SOLID night's sleep. Just to mention, I also occasionally have night sweats but have not noticed any since taking this. As it stands, it reduces my back pain, gives me a full night's sleep, and relaxes me, so I'll be mentioning this to my GP when I see her next to see if we can extend my use."

• Tra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 13, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I take 4 doses of 300mg Gabapentin every day, and it completely interrupts my regular daily pain cycle. It is also an excellent analgesic enhancer when taken with other pain meds. No side effects other than mild sedation, and nothing like brain-numbing Lyrica."

• nin...
• March 23, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I have been on Neurontin for fibromyalgia pain and sciatica nerve pain for several months. I can truly say it is a miracle for me. I can hardly get out of bed in the morning, and when I do, I feel like I have been hit by a truck. When I take my Neurontin (600mg 3 times a day), I feel so much better. I have the energy to get things done, and it makes the stiffness I feel in my muscles relax more to ease the pain. I have gained a little weight on this medicine, but when the warmer weather hits, I am going to try and get outside and get some exercise. It helps with my high anxiety levels as well, and my psych doc told me that this is a wonderful medicine for anxiety and depression as well. I consider it my miracle pill."

• No...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2016

For Anxiety "Started Gabapentin on 8-7-16. I take 900 mg daily (split my dosage). Remember, Gabapentin is an off-label use for anxiety & you can't blame it if it doesn't work for anxiety (I find negative reviews for Gabapentin unfair on this site). I take Prozac 40 mg, but I still have light anxiety, panicky feeling, nausea & mental agitation. I have to use 4 or 5 mg Valium PRN to smooth out Prozac at times. I suggested trying Gabapentin with my psyche; he agreed. 300 mg first week, 2nd week 600, & 3rd week 900. Gabapentin added has been effective for anxiety. I feel less anxious & mental agitation reduced. At first, Gabapentin will make you drowsy & weak. My memory is slightly off, but if I really focus I am fine. You might feel shaky at the start. Some bad days, be vigorous. Be positive."

• Chr...
• March 29, 2014

For Hot Flashes "My nighttime hot flashes were keeping me from sleeping. I would have 4 or 5 episodes a night. My doctor prescribed Neurontin and within 2 days my hot flashes have disappeared. I only take this medication at night as it makes me drowsy. I take 200 mg. It is a miracle!"