![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JaneB on September 16, 2003, at 20:18:53
Hi,
Not much on the boards about neurontin (gabapentin). Does anyone know the benefit of taking it and weaning off clonazepam? Any side effects I should be aware of? How can the dosing range be so wide--100 mg-1800 mg?I hear it is used for pain. Anyone use it for sleep?
Thanks for your input. I know Lexapro is the drug of choice at the present time but it is not for me!
Jane
Posted by galkeepinon on September 16, 2003, at 21:13:38
In reply to Neurontin superior to Klonopin?, posted by JaneB on September 16, 2003, at 20:18:53
Hi, I used to be on Neurontin and it helped with sleep and it also helped me physically.
I'm not knowledgeable of the benefit of taking it and weaning of Klonopin because I am currently taking Klonopin.
As far as dosaging, dosage will vary according to tolerance and typically can range from 300mg per day to over 2400mg per day, I've also heard of dosing from 900 up to about 4000mg a day.
Neurontin appears to be perceived as some wonder drug as it is now being used to treat many medical conditions.
I found a link for you regarding side effects, hope it helps:-)http://www.bipolar.about.com/library/sfx/bl-gabapentin.htm
Take care and good luck!
> Hi,
> Not much on the boards about neurontin (gabapentin). Does anyone know the benefit of taking it and weaning off clonazepam? Any side effects I should be aware of? How can the dosing range be so wide--100 mg-1800 mg?
>
> I hear it is used for pain. Anyone use it for sleep?
>
> Thanks for your input. I know Lexapro is the drug of choice at the present time but it is not for me!
>
> Jane
Posted by JaneB on September 16, 2003, at 22:38:41
In reply to Re: Neurontin superior to Klonopin? » JaneB, posted by galkeepinon on September 16, 2003, at 21:13:38
Posted by galkeepinon on September 16, 2003, at 23:28:17
In reply to Why did you stop Neurontin? (nm) » galkeepinon, posted by JaneB on September 16, 2003, at 22:38:41
My psychiatrist at the time took me off it. Just like that. I asked why, and I was told~*I don't think it's helping you*
I was smack dab in the middle of withdrawing off previous meds and in the process of *trying* new meds that would help me, and I was in the hospital.
I guess Neurontin wasn't in the plans.
I let it go, and am now on the combination of meds I am currently taking.
It is an option in the future for me though.
Posted by zero on September 17, 2003, at 11:55:07
In reply to Neurontin superior to Klonopin?, posted by JaneB on September 16, 2003, at 20:18:53
Taking Klonopin 2mg./day for several yrs. - still has good anxiolytic effect.
About a year ago, I added Neurontin 300mg./day. It had significant anxiolytic effect for the 1st six months or so, but gradually lost that effect. Now I feel it's doing nothing and am considering stopping it.
It's had no side effects for me.
I've read of "cross-tapering" Neurontin to aid in benzodiazepine withdrawal/discontinuation (also Tegretol is used for this).
Hope this helps.
z.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on September 17, 2003, at 20:55:25
In reply to Neurontin superior to Klonopin?, posted by JaneB on September 16, 2003, at 20:18:53
> Does anyone know the benefit of taking it and weaning off clonazepam?
It could be extremely beneficial, it could make the withdrawal worse, or it could be somewhere in between these two extremes. You really never know until you try.
All the following are potentially good adjuncts for discontinuing benzodiazepines, as well as benzodiazepine substitutes. Picamilon, valerian root, and niacinamide are available over the counter:
picamilon (GABA bonded molecularly to niacin)
niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3 [niacin] which has an effect similar to a mild benzodiazepine)
valerian root (may bind to benzodiazepine receptors; especially great combined with passion flower)
Gabitril (a GABA-b reuptake inhibitor)
Tegretol/Trileptal (variations of the same drug which bind to benzodiazepine receptors somewhat [Trileptal is less troublesome])
Depakote (increases the actions of GABA in many ways)
Xyrem (sodium oxybate/GHB/gamma-hydroxybutanoate -- "the date rape drug"; best sleep aid available; makes you feel much more motivated and energetic during the day even if only taken at night; metabolizes in the brain to GABA, GHC [gamma-hydroxycrotonate], and possibly other important neurochemicals)Other OTC items which are calming to the brain and may be helpful are l-theanine (Suntheanine brand is by far the most potent; often people try an inferior brand [which are often misrepresented as l-theanine when they are in fact simple green tea extract] and then decide it doesn't work for them -- don't write it off till you try Suntheanine), l-taurine, pyridoxal-5-phosphate/P5P (vitamin B6; the P5P form is better than the pyridoxine HCl form), thiamine (vitamin B1), calcium, magnesium, l-tryptophan, kava kava (only high-grade fresh root ordered from Oceania or Hawai'i -- the stuff sold in stores here on the mainland is essentially worthless), California poppy, ashwagandha, reishi fungus, gamma-Amino-beta-oxybate (GABOB -- ingredient in the product Gamalate B6), gamma-Pentanolide/gamma-Valerolactone (GVL -- a mild, legal alternative to GHB in the product Tranquili-G), trans-Gamma-hydroxycrotonic acid (T-HCA -- another GHB-like substance), trans-Gamma-4-o-chlorophenylcrotonic acid (T-HCCA -- yet another GHB-receptor agonist; about 16% more potent than GHB), trans-Gamma-hydroxy-gamma-p-nitrophenylcrotonic acid (T-HNCA -- yet ANOTHER GHB-receptor agonist, also more potent than GHB) and many others I'm sure I've forgotten.
> Any side effects I should be aware of?
For me personally, the two main side effects were extreme dry mouth and early afternoon drowsiness (lasted about two hours) at a dose of 400mg four times daily. Oddly enough, I experienced no side effects when I tried it again months later at 1,800mg four times daily! Other S/Es are, of course, possible.
>How can the dosing range be so wide--100 mg-1800 mg?
Eh, different strokes for different folks. (Or on PB, maybe that should be 'different dose for different posts'? lol... okay, that was cheesy)
Like I said, I've taken 5,400mg/day, and I've seen up to 5,600mg/day used in studies.
> I hear it is used for pain. Anyone use it for sleep?
I've used it for fibromyalgia pain... never tried it for sleep, though as I mentioned above, it would make me overwhelmingly tired for a couple hours each day.
And just to respond to the question in the thread's topic, "Neurontin superior to Klonopin?" I'd have to guess that most here would answer that with a resounding "NOT EVEN CLOSE!!" :-)
Posted by Viridis on September 18, 2003, at 0:03:04
In reply to Neurontin superior to Klonopin?, posted by JaneB on September 16, 2003, at 20:18:53
I've been taking Neurontin (1200 mg/day) for quite a while now and am about to go off it, because as far as I can tell, it does absolutely nothing for me. It did have a pronounced effect -- sort of dreamy relaxation, very pleasant -- the first two or three times I took it, but now nothing, good or bad. It does seem to work for some people, but for me, Klonopin is vastly superior for reliable anxiety relief.
When my pdoc first prescribed Neurontin (at my suggestion), he described as the mildest of the mood stabilizers, and marginally helpful in some cases. He encouraged me to take it for a while, but his attitude seems to have shifted. When I told him recently I was going to discontinue it, he said something like "good idea, no use in taking an extra drug that does nothing". I asked him if a taper schedule was necessary, and he said probably not, but it wouldn't be a bad idea, just to be on the safe side. He's generally very cautious, but regarding Neurontin, his attitude now seems to be that it's essentially a placebo, and I know this is based on considerable experience.
I think a lot of people have become disillusioned with Neurontin, especially given the recent bad press about drug reps pushing it for every disorder under the sun. I'll be interested to see how the much-hyped successor Pregabalin turns out -- from the prerelease info, it sounds much more promising.
Posted by JaneB on September 18, 2003, at 7:25:47
In reply to Re: Neurontin superior to Klonopin?, posted by Viridis on September 18, 2003, at 0:03:04
> I've been taking Neurontin (1200 mg/day) for quite a while now and am about to go off it, because as far as I can tell, it does absolutely nothing for me. It did have a pronounced effect -- sort of dreamy relaxation, very pleasant -- the first two or three times I took it, but now nothing, good or bad. It does seem to work for some people, but for me, Klonopin is vastly superior for reliable anxiety relief.
>
> When my pdoc first prescribed Neurontin (at my suggestion), he described as the mildest of the mood stabilizers, and marginally helpful in some cases. He encouraged me to take it for a while, but his attitude seems to have shifted. When I told him recently I was going to discontinue it, he said something like "good idea, no use in taking an extra drug that does nothing". I asked him if a taper schedule was necessary, and he said probably not, but it wouldn't be a bad idea, just to be on the safe side. He's generally very cautious, but regarding Neurontin, his attitude now seems to be that it's essentially a placebo, and I know this is based on considerable experience.
>
> I think a lot of people have become disillusioned with Neurontin, especially given the recent bad press about drug reps pushing it for every disorder under the sun. I'll be interested to see how the much-hyped successor Pregabalin turns out -- from the prerelease info, it sounds much more promising.Thank you very much to each respondent. I have come to the same conclusion. I experienced a calming effect for a day or two but the Klonopin is superior. I am thinking that taking Prevacid with the Klonopin may have reduced its effectiveness for me. I think I will stop drinking so much coffee and not need the Prevacid!
I have a pdoc that is anti-benzos but my previous pdoc agreed that Klonopin would be a good choice for me--long term. He retired. Bummer. I also have joint pain from past injuries and needed pain relief and thought I would try the Neurontin. No relief with it.
Thanks again,
Jane
Posted by sarah1980 on September 20, 2003, at 3:33:52
In reply to Neurontin superior to Klonopin?, posted by JaneB on September 16, 2003, at 20:18:53
I use neurontin for sleep. Except it doesn't work very well at all. In fact I can't sleep right now and I am on lots of it. However, I know that if I had some Klonopin, even one pill I could sleep. I really wish he would give me a benzo to sleep... I hate insomnia. I am tempted to call my doctor to ask him if neurontin isn't medical terminology for placebo.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.