Are Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms Dangerous?
Sometimes, suddenly quitting a prescription medication can lead to uncomfortable, distressing, or even dangerous issues as the patient’s body and brain withdraw after becoming accustomed to the substance. This can happen if medications to control seizures, convulsions, or epilepsy, like gabapentin, are quit all at once, rather than slowly tapering off the drug in a safer manner by gradually lowering the dose over time at the direction of a medical professional. It’s helpful to understand why gabapentin withdrawal symptoms can become dangerous and how they fit into the typical psychological effects of drug withdrawal overall.
Table of contents
» What Is Gabapentin?
» Can You Become Dependent on Gabapentin?
» What Are the Most Common Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms?
» Does Gabapentin Withdrawal Increase the Risk of Relapse?
» Key Takeaways on Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms
» Resources
What Is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin, which goes by brand names like FusePaq, Fanatrex, Gaborone, Gralise, and Neurotonin, is a prescription medication most commonly used to help children and adults with epilepsy control partial seizures or convulsions. It can also be prescribed to treat nerve pain in a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia, which happens after getting shingles.
In addition, an extended-release form of gabapentin is sometimes prescribed to treat restless legs syndrome. It works by calming certain parts and behaviors of the brain that can lead to seizures, convulsions, and abnormal movements. While it’s most commonly prescribed as a capsule or tablet, it can also come in the form of a solution or suspension.
There are many possible side effects of gabapentin, including:
- Feeling clumsy or unsteady
- Eye movements (such as rolling or going back and forth)
- Behavior problems or aggression
- Anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression
- Hyperactivity, mood swings, and overreacting
- Feeling suspicious or untrusting
- Restlessness
- Pain
- Blurry vision
- Delusions or dementia
- Increased appetite
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Twitching
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Feeling weak
- Runny nose
- Swollen glands
- Tingling sensations (especially in the feet and hands)
Less common side effects include things like chest pain, cough, memory loss, tiredness, chills, black or tarry stools, swelling of the legs or arms, sore throat, and fever. It’s important to note that gabapentin isn’t considered to be a cure for epilepsy, meaning it will only help to control and prevent these seizures as long as it is taken as directed.
Can You Become Dependent on Gabapentin?
While gabapentin is typically considered to be a safe and effective medication when taken as directed, it does have a risk of misuse and dependency as well, which is why it’s a closely regulated drug that must only be taken as directed by a medical expert.
Someone who becomes addicted to this drug is at high risk of suffering from gabapentin withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly quit taking the medication. That’s why doctors will typically help their patients slowly taper off the drug rather than quitting all at once to give their bodies and brains time to adjust to the changes and avoid these withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms can include things like:
- Being agitated
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Noticeable heart palpitations
- Sleep problems or feeling restless
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Aches and pains
People who become addicted to gabapentin might feel like they should be taking the medication more often than prescribed or feel unable to stop taking the drug, even if their doctor is advising them to quit. In cases like this, it’s important to understand that help is available, such as by embracing the effectiveness of long-term drug rehab programs to successfully quit drugs and learn to achieve long-lasting recovery without these drugs.
What Are the Most Common Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms?
If someone is addicted to gabapentin, they’re highly likely to experience gabapentin withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly quit, as their body struggles to deal with everything without having this drug anymore. These symptoms can start several hours or days after the last dose and can be distressing, with symptoms including things like:
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach problems and diarrhea
- Sweating or chills
- Extreme fatigue or unusual weakness
- Body aches and muscle pain
- Shaking, tremors, or twitching
- Rapid heart rate
- Palpitations
- Increase in anxiety or agitation
- Insomnia
- Mood swings, including depression or psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Confusion and mental fog
Severe symptoms can include things like a higher risk of seizures, especially in patients who have epilepsy, as well as extreme mood changes and mental health problems that can become severe. Hallucinations can also happen in some cases.
It’s critical to talk to your doctor about quitting gabapentin to come up with a plan to slowly taper off the drug and try to avoid withdrawal symptoms or at least minimize their severity during this crucial time.
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Does Gabapentin Withdrawal Increase the Risk of Relapse?
Quitting certain drugs suddenly can lead to withdrawal, which can be serious and lead to distressing side effects like anxiety, depression, or fatigue. Still, it can also lead to severe mental distress, mood swings, hallucinations, agitation, physical pain, stomach problems, and even a much higher risk of seizures in the case of gabapentin.
Going through gabapentin withdrawal symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable, alarming, and scary, and it can become a medical emergency if it leads to severe health problems like seizures or extreme mood swings and hallucinations. That’s why it’s so important to work with your doctor to safely quit using gabapentin rather than trying to quit cold turkey all at once on your own.
Gabapentin withdrawal can make someone with epilepsy much more likely to experience seizures, which can become dangerous rather quickly. The withdrawal process can also all too easily make someone feel so physically and mentally unwell that they could be tempted to take the drug again to feel better and get relief from their symptoms, meaning they’re at a high risk of relapse if they don’t get the support and help they need.
Rather than trying to tough it out and quit on your own, it’s important to remember that you can get help with this process from a medical detox treatment program in Florida.
Key Takeaways on Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms
- Gabapentin is a prescription medication most commonly used to help control seizures and convulsions in children and adults with epilepsy.
- This medication can also be prescribed to help treat nerve pain in individuals who have had shingles, as well as to help control symptoms of restless leg syndrome.
- Quitting a drug like this suddenly can lead to gabapentin withdrawal symptoms, especially in those who have become addicted to or dependent on the drug.
- Withdrawal symptoms can include physical problems like stomach problems, rapid heart rate, and pains, as well as psychological issues like mood swings, hallucinations, and depression or anxiety.
- Quitting gabapentin can also make people with epilepsy more likely to experience seizures again.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction to drugs, even if it’s a prescription medication like gabapentin, WhiteSands Treatment can help. Our expert team offers medical detox and inpatient and outpatient drug rehab programs designed to help you achieve long-lasting recovery and start a new life free from drug addiction. Call us at 877-855-3470 and get started on your road to recovery today.
Resources
- Drugs.com – How Long Does Gabapentin Withdrawal Last?
- Mayo Clinic – Gabapentin (Oral Route)
- National Health Service – Common Questions About Gabapentin
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
