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Discontinuing Gabapentin

Posted , 7 users are following.

Debby22473
Debby22473

I have been taking Gabapentin 300 mg for 2 weeks & having severe side effects. I want to get off it; but, after reading these comments am quite nervous about it. I called my doc who has yet to return my call, hoping he could tell me an easy way to d/c it. I finally called my pharmacist who told me I could just stop cold turkey. Well, that does not sound promising. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • judeuhl
    judeuhl Debby22473

    Posted

    Please follow your instinct and do not go cold turkey. Your pharmacist shld know better to tell you to do that. Going cold turkey is dangerous, Must taper off at slow pace. Contact yor primary doctor immediately and explain what is happening and want off. If you again are told cold turkey, find another doctor. 
    • Debby22473
      Debby22473 judeuhl

      Posted

      Thank you so much for responding. My doc finally called me back this morning & confirmed what the pharmacist said, to just stop cold turkey. I don't know how to cut it down at it is a capsule. I think maybe just open it up & try to measure one half. Any suggestions?

    • judeuhl
      judeuhl Debby22473

      Posted

      Hi Debby, Pls taper slowly. Open capsule and empty 1/4 contents. Replace top. Do this for one week. Then continue with 1/2 contents for another week. Final 1/4 for another one week. You shld be good with this. Good luck and pls let me know how you're doing.

    • Debby22473
      Debby22473 judeuhl

      Posted

      Thanks Jude! I appreciate your help more than you can know! I will do as you said!

    • judeuhl
      judeuhl Debby22473

      Posted

      Happy to be of help Debby. Good luck....feel better!
  • tim72430
    tim72430 Debby22473

    Posted

    After being on 900mg a day, i went cold turkey. Well, that was a huge mistake. It has left me with severe anxiety and panic. Something i had never suffered from beforehand. Please slowly taper off, you don't want your body to have a bad reaction. 

    All the best!

    • Debby22473
      Debby22473 tim72430

      Posted

      Thanks, Tim. However, I do not know how to taper off as the Gabapentin is in capsule form. Should I open the capsule & try to maybe half the contents?

  • Chan2015
    Chan2015 Debby22473

    Posted

    Hi Debby, yes I totally agree with your pharmacist.  300mg is very low dose and only taking it for 2 weeks is nothing.  Just cold turkey, you will find you will be fine and symptoms will go away slowly but much better than you think!
  • 1Warbonnet
    1Warbonnet Debby22473

    Posted

    You should be fine tapering off if you've only been on it for 2 weeks. Split dosage in half for 3 days.

  • Doodlebug
    Doodlebug Debby22473

    Posted

    I finally reached my pharmacist at the VA on Friday about the withdrawal and was told the same. It will take time and I could reduce it weekly. I came down on over one week now from 3200 per day to 1600 and today started 800. She then said I could do the same with the duloxetine so I reduced 40_20. My neuropathy seems worse in my hands and feet with major tingling and burning but I am determined to stick this out. Cold turkey for three days led me back to relieve the withdrawal but only half so I am managing.
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