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Q. I would like to know your feelings on the regular use of gabapentin for chronic insomnia. As a long time suffer of insomnia, my doctor has prescribed a myriad of drugs. Most recently upwards of 3600 mg of gabapentin at bedtime.
After more than 6 months of use I have noticed that gabapentin is taking a toll on my quality of life. Your thoughts please!
A. Gabapentin (Neurontin) was originally developed as an anti-seizure drug. It was approved by the FDA as an “add-on” treatment for patients with epilepsy in 1993. Although researchers do not completely understand how gabapentin works to control seizures, they think it affects production of a neurochemical in the brain called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).
Pfizer, the manufacturer of the brand name Neurontin, got into major trouble when it marketed this drug for off-label uses. A company is not allowed to promote a medicine for things that the FDA has not approved. In Pfizer’s case, these unofficial uses for Neurontin included bipolar disorder, alcohol withdrawal, migraines and pain. The company eventually paid $430 million in penalties and admitted to fraudulent promotion.
We mention this because Neurontin is currently available generically as gabapentin. In addition to treating epilepsy, the drug now has official FDA approval for alleviating nerve pain caused by shingles (postherpetic neuralgia).
Even though gabapentin does not have the FDA’s blessing for treating other kinds of nerve pain (neuropathy), many doctors are using it for this purpose. Some physicians prescribe it to patients with fibromyalgia and migraines as well as to control hot flashes brought on by menopause, even though there is no official blessing from the FDA. This is not illegal. Doctors can prescribe any drug for any reason they see fit. That said, we could find little evidence to suggest that gabapentin would be helpful for insomnia. This is definitely an “off-label” use if ever there was one.
If there were few, if any, side effects associated with gabapentin we would not worry too much about the prescribing of this drug for so many off-label uses. But gabapentin has some potentially worrisome adverse effects. The FDA has issued this warning:
“Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including Neurontin [gabapentin], increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.”
The FDA also mentions an “unexpectedly high incidence of pancreatic acinar adenocarcinomas” [cancer] in male rats that received gabapentin. The agency adds the unhelpful caveat that the, “clinical significance of this finding is unknown.” In other words, no one knows whether this animal research means that men will be at higher risk for pancreatic cancer. This is not the sort of thing that the FDA requires drug companies to follow up on because the long-term research needed to detect a cancer signal can be quite challenging and expensive.
Gabapentin Side Effects:
- Dizziness, vertigo
- Fatigue and or tiredness
- Unsteadiness or incoordination
- Abnormal thinking, anxiety, hostility, confusion, amnesia,
- Depression, suicidal thoughts, mood changes
- Fluid accumulation in feet, edema of face or extremities
- Digestive distress, indigestion, loss of appetite, gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Dry mouth, dental problems, gingivitis
- Blurred vision, double vision, unusual eye movements (nystagmus)
- Headache
- Withdrawal seizures (never stop gabapentin suddenly!)
- Blood disorders
- Skin rash (alert your M.D. immediately if this occurs!)
- Upper respiratory tract infections, fever
- High blood pressure
- Palpitations
- Tremor, jerky movements
- Joint pain, joint stiffness, arthritis
No one should ever discontinue gabapentin abruptly. Like so many medications that affect the central nervous system, sudden withdrawal may lead to unexpected side effects. Some that have been reported include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, pain, sweating and even seizures. Sadly, though, the FDA gives very little guidance to prescribers about how to gradually taper patients off gabapentin.
Bottom line: Gabapentin is an effective treatment for epilepsy and the excruciating pain that sometimes lingers after an attack of shingles. Although it is quite frequently prescribed for off-label uses, the benefit/risk ratio is not clear. The drug has many potentially serious side effects. We are surprised that your doctor prescribed such a heavy-duty drug for insomnia, especially at such a high dose. The “normal” dose of gabapentin for treating epilepsy or shingles pain would be up to 1800 mg daily. Although 3600 mg is sometimes prescribed, it would have to be considered a high dose, especially for an unapproved use.
Since you report that gabapentin is affecting the quality of your life in a negative way, perhaps it is time to talk to your doctor about reconsidering this drug and discussing a gradual withdrawal process. You may need to consult a sleep specialist to help you deal with your chronic insomnia in a more integrative manner.
Suzanne
California
Gabapentin is the worst medication I have ever been on. I could not think clearly, had brain fog, word retrieval issues and difficulty even reading. In addition Gabapentin affected my sex life and I gained weight. I was given this drug for osteoarthritis and bulging disc pain. It did not relieve the pain. When I decided to go off of it, I had the WORST withdrawal symptoms. I was depressed, irritable, achy and suffered from sweats. My doctor did not warn my of any of these debilitating side effects. I will NOT take this drug.
FrustratedinOK
Oklahoma
Doctor prescribed Neurontin a couple weeks ago. Have been taking as directed. Actually just got off the phone with my Doc, called to explain to her that I’ve had extreme GI distress since starting this med, along with loss of appetite, mood swings, feeling half drunk or half asleep all day long, insomnia at night (haven’t slept in a couple days now). Her response was to immediately desist this drug, as it is most likely an allergic reaction. On top of the side effects, it had no positive impact on my pain levels whatsoever, if anything, I feel much worse due to the plethora of side effects.
Nicki
Essex
Gabapentin has ruined my life….
I was prescribed it in February of this year for insomnia and hot sweats and the side effects were more than terrible. I was prescribed 900 mg and I got to 600 and went back to my GP who said be patient, it is an amazing drug and it will help. He told me to go up to the 900mg and see how it goes. I did and it was horrendously disorientated, severe blurred vision, paranoid, strange thoughts, a rash all over, insomnia, anxiety and panic, extreme lethargy to the point I was catatonic at times, had to move out of my brand new flat that took me ages to pay for because I couldn’t be on my own and feeling like that, couldn’t drive or work, and didn’t go anywhere because I just couldn’t.
I went to GP and he told me ok. I think some of your issues may be anxiety, but it’s fine to just stop taking it 300mg a day over the next few days. I dropped by 300mg that day, and I woke up in the accident and emergency department and I apparently I had a major seizure…it was petrifying…the neurologist at the hospital gave me a liquid form and told me to wean off 25 grams a week..the withdrawal was horrific..almost like I was stuck in my worst nightmare … Serious hot burning skin so bad that I could sleep because if my skin touched fabric the pain would be so intense I would cry..completely unable to communicate, tremors, shakes, itching so intense it would again force me to tears because I couldn’t scratch because my skin was so sore.skin peeling off my face and ears..a rash all over my left arm that was the most painful..I felt like it would never end…I have been completely off for 5 weeks now and what started to happen about a week ago could be life changing…my feet started to cramp..terrible pain, and were so stiff that I could barely move them, then woke up the next day and my feet were completely red raw and burning, but put it down to withdrawal and battled on I was determined to get through and get my life back…then it started to get worse and worse..it felt like I was walking on the bones of my feet literally…sharp pains going up my feet into my legs..constant twitching, prickling, electric shocks that are now all over my body including my hair…desperate I went to my GP today and he suspects nerve damage..which he says has nothing to do with the drug..I am in such a bad way today mentally…knowing that this damage may be permanent and could progress, and I can barely walk now…I am in absolute agony, no sleep at all for over a week on top of what I have been through already.
When I left the doctor today who again could not understand why i was so upset, when I feel like he did this to me in the first place…I see no future like this. I am 48 and because of this drug I have gone from being a confident happy healthy woman going into menopause and I could now be disabled with no life. I seriously thought about throwing myself in front of a train today, and the only thing that stopped me was because my boyfriend called. I am sorry to put this out there but I am pretty desperate and if fellow sufferers could splash give me some hope…is this temporary, is it part of the withdrawal? Is it mi I King nerve damage? At this point any hope may save me…
I wish you all well in your journey and hope that I hear back from someone..
All the love and support in the world x
Don
Las Vegas, Nv
It is amazing at the terrible toll (Gabapentine is taking on peoples life). My doc, wants me to take 1500mg x 2 daily. I can’t believe the horror stories about this drug. Then my doc say you will be addicted to any opiates. I have to wonder what planet he is on. I hope everybody who has posted a note, good luck
Aaron
Texas
I am 68 yrs, male, and have had fibro pain for many years. Heart condition, “i.e.” afib controlled by sotalol, a tendancy for artery blockage, “i.e.” 3, 100 percent blockages, 2 bypasses and a stent. I take a time release nitro and occassional nitro as needed in under tongue pills. All that said, I take gabapentin at 2700 mg daily divided in 3 doses, and 50 mg of tramadol 3x daily. After using Lyrica, Cymbalta and other drugs for the constant pain and horrendous flares, the gabapentin and tramadol blend has given the most consistant and effective help of all I have tried. One never knows how a particular med will work for them. Good luck to all who need the help of these q and a sites of what to try and what to expect. A good doctor and time is the main thing.
Anne
Blasdell, NY
I have taken 300mg 2x a day for about five years for restless leg. It worked but the last refill I got did nothing at all. There is powder in the capsules, checked w/pharmacy to see if any one else had complained, but no luck. Have decided to stop all together as It took me five days of no sleep before I realized the drug! was not working. Its been 7 days and at some point I figure I will be so tired I will sleep. I am retired female of 72. Does not seem to be a recall for”Ascend lab”.
Roger
FL
I am a 74-year-old male who has been taking 600-900 mg of gabapentin daily for about three years for occasional nerve pain for diabetic neuropathy. Because I had these symptoms only occasionally, it is hard to judge whether it had been of any benefit (I still had the nerve pain from time to time and never could say it went away permanently.)
Recently, I had an angioplasty to unblock an artery behind my knee that went badly and I almost lost my leg because of no blood flow for more than 12 hours. Now, the burning, tingling, pins-and-needles in my foot never goes away. I am still on the same dosage of gabapentin (up to 1200 per day prescribed, but I’m only actually taking 600). An occupational therapist helping me has warned me of “grave dangers” of taking this drug, so now I am torn between increasing my daily intake to the prescribed 1200 mg or quitting it altogether. What would you advise?
Tim Mason
Chattanooga
I took Gabapentin as well for a brief period. It made me very depressed and could not sleep. The doctor put me on valium 5 mg three times a day. It really made the difference. No more mood disorders and I slept really great. Valium saved my life. I am 58 so there are no worries about addiction. I suffer from degenerative disc disease. I had a spinal fusion a few years ago and have a lot of scar tissue.
Gail
Whitby, Ontario
I would listen to your therapist Tim, I would get off this medication, but do it slowly, my girlfriend is going through sever withdrawal from this drug. It also causes suicidal tendencies. . Take care.
Michelle
29601
I have been on Gabapentin for 4 years, following a case of Bells palsy-like (additional nerve damage was caused, they don’t know how or why). I have noticed that I’m getting early stage dementia-like symptoms (memory loss), and have been told by my doctor that that is a common side effect. I’m 33, and have to support myself, and it’s frustrating trying to learn new things at my job, and having the memory God gave a gnat. I’ve tried reducing my dosage, but immediately start to suffer the excruciating headaches and muscle twitches again.
Debra
Ca
Addiction comes at any age just because you’re 58 years old does not mean you cannot be addicted
jamie
gainesville,georgia
Gabapentin is not a good thing to take and could cause further health problem….Doctors keeps pushing drugs to their patients that do not need it and stop trying to create people into drug users….Go check out dollar for doc who get paid!!!!
And medical profiling…
Roger
St. Louis
BEWARE of Neurontin. It was prescribed to me for nerve pain, sleep, anxiety — almost a “wonder drug”. After a couple weeks, I was seriously depressed. I had written a will and planning the ‘best’ day to kill myself. My ex-gf is a psychologist and she caught on during a phone conversation and she talked me off the cliff. She saved my life. BEWARE OF GABAPENTIN.
Gerry
New York Mills, N.Y.
Gerry H. Have been on Gabapentin for 2 months now, am up to 1200 daily and it does not stop the pain in my thigh, knee or foot. I am in pain all day and worse pain at night, and can not sleep , only passing out for a few hours. Gabapentin is a joke for pain and shame on the doctors for prescribing it! My son has stepped in since finding out i have been just sitting and crying most of the day and he is getting me to a neurologist and the right treatment for the terrible pain i am in. If in terrible pain get a referral from your doctor to see a specialist, do not accept a prescription for Gabapentin.
Nancy
Wa
I was recently diagnosed with voice tremors which is directly related to familial tremors. My MRI looks perfect but the nerves connecting my vocal folds cause me to suffer with tremors. I began with difficulty talking a few years ago but compensated with an intentional speaking rythm in hopes to hide my condition. It suddenly hit me head on more recently to a degree that it felt like my muscles in my throat had to work extra hard while trying to speak. Also though I’m not a singer, I cannot sing at all in church because of this misfire connection condition. I am a nanny and an elder care giver. I am 56 in perfect physical health aside from some tailbone pain and anxiety. I am praying this will help me get my voice back. So far in just 3 days I feel I can speak better, but I must say that I’m not sure if I feeling a bit worse with anxiety. I will update next week. I’m so thankful for threads like these as the comments have assisted and encouraged me to give this a try.
Jennifer W.
SE Ohio
Nancy, I started trying Gabapentin in 2013 for fibromyalgia pain and to help me sleep. In 3 months my weight went from 217-234, then up to 243! I now mysteriously have a 6mm nodule on my throat right next to my hyoid bone. I have to clear my throat all of the time and my voice has changed. It is hard to sleep because I constantly feel as if I “have a frog in my throat”.
I did lose almost 50# (In 2 months) after I stopped and developed this nodule but my menstrual cycle is so messed up I was having month long periods! I consented to try a low dose norethindrome (birth control although I had my tubes tied in 2008) because I didn’t want to have month long periods. Now they are “tracking” nodule (they are afraid to do a guided biopsy because they don’t want to puncture my windpipe by accident!) Now the radiologists say it isn’t effecting my thyroid, but my oncologist is concerned. I am curious since I saw your post do you think that Gabapentin caused your and my similar symptoms? Thanks for any reply!
“Lost in Ohio croaking like a frog”
Jennifer W.
SE Ohio
Eek I guess I should have read your post all of the way through. Just ignore my post!
Kat
NC, USA
I am female, 62, and taking 300 mg Gabapentin 3 times a day for the nerve pain after shingles. I cannot sleep no matter what I do. And believe me, I’ve tried numerous relaxation techniques. I was recently in the hospital and they used lidocain patches across my breast where the nerve pain is so bad. It was wonderful, to say the least. I had whole days with no pain. When I left the hospital, no prescrip for the patches but I have to take all this Gabapentin. I am very leary of this medication after all I’ve read. Plus the fact that the 300mg x 3 times a day is NOT doing the trick and I don’t want to up the dose. If anything, I want off this med. (I won’t do that without medical help). I have heart disease with Afib and have to have my thyroid removed within the next 3-4 weeks or so. So anyway, back to the Gabapentin – I absolutely cannot sleep and it’s driving me crazy!
Guener
NM
I guess, based upon my reading of comments here, I am a fortunate person that benefits from Gabapentin with few side-effects. It relieves my anxiety and helps some with my osteoarthritic hip pain (that I cannot use NSAID’s for, due to another condition). I take 800 mg twice daily. At 800 mg / 3x daily, I started to have some tingling in my fingers on one hand, but it’s fine since I dropped back to 2x a day (morning and late afternoon). It does give me gas, along with my anti-depressant, but I can live with that vs. anxiety and depression.
Alfie
Michigan
Oh, I forgot, I am 68 but still stunning.
Alfie
Michigan
Gabapentin was prescribed to me by my doctor for the treatment of unrelenting depression. It was one of the first medications in 17 years that I could actually say made a significant change in the pain of depression. Now, I take other medications that are effective. I could not really know which one is responsible for the failure in my cognitive skills. I am sure they are all causing confusion and lack of retention of facts that otherwise would be a no brainer.
I have tried to reduce the use of Medications for Depression, but I do not want to ever go back to days without end of never a peaceful moment. I think there are some of us that are glad to be here enjoying some time with our family. It might kill me sooner (than if I did not take these meds) but it is nice to want to live. I also would like to make clear that I am not a diabetic, or obese, nor do I have High Blood pressure or heart disease. I do have osteoarthritis and I am dizzy but not blonde.
STACEY
SUN CITY, AZ
My doctor has presently included 300 mg of lamotrigine with my usual dosage of 300 mg gabapentin daily. I am wondering are the side effects of this combination a problem with weight gain, forgetfulness or any other problems in my lifestyle?
Sidney*
london.England
I was first put on GBPTN 12 years ago for the relief of the burning pains in my thighs. After a few years of no relief the dose was increased to 3 capsules (300 mg) 3 times a day. I once tried to decrease and spent a week feeling like I was doing “cold turkey”. I went back to the dose and have continued for some years. I do not feel less pain but have grown accustomed to it (it feels like my legs have been severly sunburnt). I have noticed a certain amount of memory loss but this might be due to my age. I am 90 years and 1 month old.