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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
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.
:)
Posted by SLS on February 13, 2016, at 7:59:17
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'm sure there are people here who can answer your question.
Generally speaking, it is a good idea to taper any anticovulsant in order to avoid rebound seizures. Having said that, many people taper gabapentin rapidly or not at all. I stopped taking it abruptly because I was having a bad reaction to it. I would say that gabapentin is substantially less liable to cause rebound seizures than other anticonvulsants. If I were in your position, taking into account your low dosage, I would taper the dosage over the course of three days, just to be sure.
Give others a chance to reply. You might get better advice. What does your doctor have to say?
What drug or drugs are you thinking of taking?
- Scott
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
This is the end of the thread.
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