Gabapentin is a medication usually used in the management of diseases such as neuropathic pain, seizures, and restless legs syndrome. Gabapentin affects how the brain and nervous system respond to pain, but like all medications, stopping it abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms.
If you want to know how to stop taking gabapentin, it should be done safely so that you can avoid uncomfortable or distressing side effects. This blog will go over how to taper off gabapentin, why tapering is so important, and how you can set yourself up to do it safely and successfully.
What Is Gabapentin And Why Would It Be Prescribed?
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication that’s prescribed for a variety of different illnesses, including:
- Neuropathic pain (pain resulting from nerve damage)
- Seizures (typically in combination with other medications)
- Restless leg syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
It acts on the chemicals and nerves in the body responsible for causing pain and seizure activity. Gabapentin is generally effective and safe, but long-term use can lead to physical dependence when taken over an extended period. Gabapentin thus must be tapered off by a doctor.
Why Should You Not Stop Taking Gabapentin Suddenly?
Stopping gabapentin suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms that range from mild to severe. The reason behind withdrawal effects is that your body has become habituated to having the drug around, and its abrupt withdrawal results in a change in brain chemistry. Withdrawal effects are as follows:
- Irritability and anxiety: Most people are anxious or experience mood swings during withdrawal from gabapentin.
- Insomnia: It is natural to struggle with sleeping, and some find sleeping at night difficult.
- Nausea and vomiting: Others vomit and feel nauseous when they stop taking gabapentin.
- Sweating and tiredness: You will feel fatigued on the physical level, and excessive sweating happens without any physical exertion.
- Headaches: Just like most of the symptoms of withdrawal, headaches are more frequent or more severe.
- Seizures: Sudden withdrawal of gabapentin in certain users can potentially leave the user susceptible to seizures, particularly for those who use the medication to manage seizure activity.
To prevent these and other withdrawal symptoms, the medication should be tapered slowly under medical supervision.
How To Stop Taking Gabapentin Safely?
The safest and best way of tapering gabapentin is tapering the dose slowly over a period of time. Always do this under a doctor’s supervision to ensure safety and reduce withdrawal symptoms.
- Consult your healthcare professional
Always consult your doctor first before adjusting your gabapentin dosage. They can assess your current dosage level, duration of drug use with the medication, and other such medical conditions. Your doctor can assist in determining the best tapering regimen for you, based on your individual needs.
- Gradually reduce your dose
Tapering is the key to reducing withdrawal symptoms and allowing your body time to adjust. Your doctor will typically recommend reducing your dose slowly over a period of weeks or months, depending on how long you’ve been taking gabapentin and how high your dose is. The goal is to decrease the dose in small increments, usually by 10-25% every one to two weeks.
For example:
If you’ve been taking 600 mg three times a day, your doctor might suggest cutting your dose by 10% (60 mg) every one to two weeks.
In some cases, the doctor might recommend reducing the frequency of the dose (e.g., from three times a day to twice a day) before reducing the amount per dose.
This gradual decrease allows your body and brain to adjust without causing a withdrawal reaction.
- Keep an eye on symptoms and taper when necessary
When tapering gabapentin, monitor yourself for any withdrawal symptoms. They can range from anxiety, nausea, and headaches to insomnia. If you’re experiencing major symptoms or uncomfortable at any time during the tapering, call your doctor. Your doctor might in some instances modify the tapering program or give you a different medication to take for withdrawal symptoms.
- Follow-up visit in regular intervals
Ensure that you see your doctor regularly while tapering your gabapentin. This will enable your doctor to keep an eye on you and adjust your tapering schedule if necessary. They can also determine whether your symptoms are due to tapering or if you need a different treatment approach.
- Alternative therapies if necessary
If you’ve been taking gabapentin for pain, seizures, or anxiety, your physician can prescribe alternative drugs for these conditions with tapering off the gabapentin. They may include:
- Alternatives for pain management: Physical therapy, acupuncture, or other drugs.
- Anxiety management: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), meditation, or other anxiolytics.
- Seizure management: If gabapentin was preventing seizures, your physician can modify other anticonvulsants.
- By tapering carefully and managing symptoms, you can keep your condition under control.
Side Effects During Tapering
Although tapering off gabapentin is the safest method of ending this drug, some individuals do have side effects while tapering. These side effects are usually mild compared to those from sudden withdrawal, though they can still be bothersome. Some of the most common side effects that do arise during tapering are:
- Mild dizziness: It is because of the alteration in the manner in which the brain reacts to a reduced dose.
- Sleep disturbance: Sleep distress or insomnia.
- Mood change: You can become irritable or anxious due to your body adapting to the reduced dose.
- Fatigue: You can feel tired, particularly during tapering.
What To Do If Withdrawal Symptoms Are Severe?
If you are having severe withdrawal symptoms like extreme exhaustion, seizures, or intense anxiety, seek immediate medical attention.Severe withdrawal symptoms mean the taper should be slowed down, or that more intensive medical treatment may be required.
In a few cases, the doctor might have you restart gabapentin for a short while before trying to taper the drug slowly in an effort to keep you safe.
Gabapentin should never be suddenly stopped. To avoid withdrawal and stay safe, always work with your doctor to create a tapering off schedule. By tapering off gradually with a well-thought-out schedule, your body can adjust more easily and minimize discomfort.
With patience and your doctor’s supervision, you can safely taper off gabapentin and continue your treatment plan effectively. If you are anxious or experiencing difficulties in tapering off, do not be afraid to call your doctor for advice. Your health is the most important thing, and with a good plan in hand, you can wean yourself off gabapentin safely without experiencing any problems.
