Posted by Larry Hoover on February 13, 2016, at 13:22:58
In reply to Gabapentin - Would I need to taper?, posted by nixie on February 12, 2016, at 21:38:10
> Hi,
>
> I'm not sure if this is the right place. >.<
>
> I have just started (10 days ago) Gabapentin (Neurontin) for nerve pain - 300mg at night to start, was pushed up to 400mg about a week in.
>
> If I want to try a different drug instead (which my dr had kind of wanted me to do in the first place, I see her again at the 2 week mark) would I need to taper off of the Gabapentin, as I will have only been on it 2 weeks?
>
> (I have tapered off of Klonopin in the past, also Lexapro, and Zoloft. I've gone from needing 5-6mg a day of Xanax to just .25-.5 as needed. But all that was for Panic Disorder - the meds for the nerve pain is a new thing >.< )
>
> Thanks for any advice.
> :)You absolutely should discuss this with the prescribing physician.
I don't know of any specific withdrawal phenomenon associated with gabapentin. You aren't on a very high dose, and you haven't been on it for very long. Both of those variables suggest that you should significantly reduced risk of withdrawal effects, in any case.
If the alternate med being considered is from the same class, e.g. pregabalin (Lyrica), then an immediate switch from one to the other would be the way to go.
You've asked a good question. Please make sure that you ask your doctor the same question.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:1086140
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20160131/msgs/1086156.html