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Gabapentin Withdrawal

Gabapentin (Neurontin) is an anticonvulsant medication prescribed for the management of seizures, nerve pain associated with shingles, and restless legs syndrome. Gabapentin use can lead to the development of dependence and withdrawal symptoms. A medically supervised detox program can help people who are on high doses of gabapentin or have been taking it for a long time.
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What Is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin (generic name: Neurontin) is an anticonvulsant medication prescribed for the management of seizures, nerve pain associated with shingles, and restless legs syndrome. It has a number of off-label uses, including neuropathic pain management, migraine prevention, and treatment of alcohol dependence.1,2

  

What Is Gabapentin Withdrawal?

Gabapentin withdrawal is when they stop taking the drug,1,3,7 and people who have been abusing the drug are at risk for more severe symptoms. 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. Tapering off the drug without medical supervision is not advised.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Taking Gabapentin?

The fact that gabapentin is associated with withdrawal symptoms suggests that users may develop physiological dependence.

Physiological dependence occurs when neurons in the brain adapt to account for the regular use of a substance. When the neurons adapt, they rely on the substance to be present to maintain normal functioning. 5

When the substance is no longer present – as would be the case if someone stopped taking gabapentin – the chemicals in the brain may become temporarily dysregulated, and the person may experience uncomfortable symptoms. The combination of these symptoms is considered the withdrawal syndrome. 5

Dependence often develops in conjunction with tolerance. People who are using gabapentin may develop tolerance and require higher and more frequent doses to achieve the same effect they previously felt.

Treatment

A medically supervised detox program can help people who are on high doses of gabapentin or have been taking it for a long time. Gabapentin detox centers can ease the transition to life without neurontin and help reduce the likelihood that you or a loved one will experience some of the more severe symptoms. Whether you or a loved one will require further treatment after detox is a personal decision that you can make with your providers.

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