What Is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is a prescription medication commonly used for nerve pain, seizures, alcohol use disorder, alcohol withdrawal and insomnia. It was once thought to be a safe, non-addictive drug that became widely used for chronic pain and neurological conditions. In 2022, over 40 million prescriptions were written for gabapentin.
Gabapentin is not classified on the federal level as a controlled substance by the Food and Drug Administration, but some states have increased monitoring and reclassified gabapentin as a controlled substance at the state level. This is mainly due to the risk of misuse and of physical dependence, which leads to gabapentin withdrawal symptoms.
Does Gabapentin Cause Withdrawal?
Gabapentin withdrawal happens when you are physically dependent on the drug, in that your body struggles to function normally without it. When a dependent person stops using gabapentin, they may experience withdrawal symptoms.
When gabapentin is used alone or with other substances, especially when misused, there is a risk of dependence. Gabapentin dependence can occur any time from three weeks to five years after starting the medication. Higher doses increase the risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms from stopping gabapentin. Gabapentin misuse involves taking higher than prescribed amounts of gabapentin or using gabapentin with other substances, like opioids.
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Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms
Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms often occur after suddenly stopping the medication or rapidly decreasing the dose. The most common gabapentin withdrawal symptoms include:
- Abnormal sweating
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Headache
- Insomnia
Several reports of other rare withdrawal symptoms include:
- Upper respiratory tract infection symptoms
- Chest Pain
- High Blood Pressure
- Restless limb movements
- Seizures
Gabapentin Withdrawal Seizures
Gabapentin should not be stopped without talking to a healthcare provider. Stopping gabapentin suddenly can increase the risk of gabapentin withdrawal seizures, especially in people with a history of seizures. Studies have shown that seizures can occur after abruptly stopping gabapentin, even in those who have never had a seizure before.
Gabapentin Withdrawal Timeline
Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms typically occur within 12 hours to seven days of stopping gabapentin. Most commonly, withdrawal symptoms start after one to two days.
Withdrawal symptoms occur quickly after stopping gabapentin due to its short half-life. A half-life is how long it takes your body to eliminate half the dose of a substance. The half-life of gabapentin is five to seven hours but may be longer in people with kidney disease. It usually takes about five half-lives for a drug to leave the body completely. This means it can take as many as 35 hours for your body to remove your last dose of gabapentin.
Rapid decreases in dose or abruptly stopping gabapentin results in withdrawal symptoms. Gradually tapering the gabapentin dose can reduce withdrawal symptoms. In some people, it has taken as long as 18 weeks of tapering the gabapentin dose to completely stop taking gabapentin while managing withdrawal symptoms.
What Helps Gabapentin Withdrawal?
Withdrawal symptoms from stopping gabapentin can be uncomfortable and sometimes life-threatening. Options for managing gabapentin withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Restarting gabapentin
- Magnesium supplements
- Slowly tapering gabapentin dosage
- Exercise and a healthy diet
There are no official guidelines for the management of gabapentin withdrawal. Strangely enough, gabapentin is often restarted when withdrawal symptoms are severe. Restarting gabapentin typically stops withdrawal symptoms within three days. The most effective management of withdrawal symptoms is gradually tapering the gabapentin dose.
Magnesium For Gabapentin Withdrawal
Taking magnesium supplements during gabapentin taper at least two hours after a gabapentin dose may help reduce gabapentin withdrawal symptoms. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of magnesium in reducing opiate withdrawal symptoms. Magnesium may reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms through its effects on calcium channels and neuromediators such as dopamine, serotonin and glutamate.
Magnesium supplements should be taken at least two hours after taking gabapentin. Magnesium can decrease how much gabapentin your body absorbs. This may cause symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal. Separating magnesium supplements and gabapentin keeps magnesium from binding to the gabapentin and prevents your body from absorbing the full gabapentin dose.
Lorazepam For Gabapentin Withdrawal
Benzodiazepines, like lorazepam, are often used to manage symptoms of opioid and alcohol withdrawal. Since gabapentin withdrawal symptoms are similar to those seen in withdrawal from other substances, lorazepam was thought to be a potential treatment for gabapentin withdrawal symptoms. However, several case reports have shown benzodiazepines to be ineffective at reducing gabapentin withdrawal symptoms.
Tapering
The best method of controlling gabapentin withdrawal symptoms is gradually tapering gabapentin doses. The tapering protocol used for opioids can be individualized to meet the needs of the person discontinuing gabapentin. Tapering protocols vary and can be adjusted based on the need for symptom control.
Exercise
Physical activity and exercise may improve pain severity, physical function and quality of life. Even light to moderate exercise has a beneficial effect on dopamine levels in the brain. Increased dopamine levels activate the reward pathway affected by drug dependence and balance the decreasing dopamine levels that occur during withdrawal.
Developing a healthy exercise routine can not only aid in easing withdrawal symptoms and improving mood, but it can also help prevent cravings after withdrawal. It may be beneficial to consult a healthcare provider when deciding what types of exercises and the amount of physical activity is right for you. Exercise can be a valuable part of the detox process when appropriately added to your treatment plan.
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet may help ease certain withdrawal symptoms and supply your body with the nutrients and energy needed during recovery. A balanced diet can help improve your health and mood. It may be helpful to follow these tips for healthy eating:
- Eat low-fat foods
- Eat foods high in protein, complex carbohydrates and fiber
- Avoid high-calorie, low-nutrient snacks, such as sweets
- Stick to regular meal times
Add vitamin and mineral supplements to a well-balanced diet when recommended by a healthcare provider.
Why Does Gabapentin Withdrawal Happen?
While not traditionally classified as an opioid or benzodiazepine, gabapentin still affects brain chemistry—particularly by modulating the activity of certain neurotransmitters and calcium channels in nerve cells. Over time, the body and brain can become accustomed to these changes. When gabapentin use is suddenly reduced or stopped, withdrawal symptoms can emerge because the brain struggles to readjust to functioning without the medication’s influence.
One major factor driving these withdrawal symptoms is how gabapentin alters the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. By blocking specific calcium channels, gabapentin helps reduce the excessive electrical activity that leads to seizures and neuropathic pain. However, after prolonged use, the central nervous system becomes dependent on this blockade to maintain a balanced state. Discontinuing or rapidly tapering gabapentin can cause a rebound effect where excitatory signals surge, producing symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and irritability.
Additionally, long-term gabapentin therapy may influence other neurochemical pathways indirectly. Though it is structurally similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), it does not bind directly to GABA receptors; instead, it affects the behavior of neurotransmitters that regulate nerve signaling and stress responses. This subtle but significant shift can make the central nervous system sensitive to changes in medication levels, setting the stage for withdrawal symptoms if the dosage is adjusted too quickly.
How To Stop Taking Gabapentin
Do not suddenly stop taking gabapentin or rapidly decrease your gabapentin dose. With the help of a healthcare provider, you should slowly taper your gabapentin dose over several weeks. There is no set guideline for tapering gabapentin, but it is recommended to start decreasing by an average of 25% reduction in dose with each reduction.
Gabapentin dosing tapers should be done slowly over weeks to months as tolerated. You should be closely monitored during a gabapentin taper. Dosage adjustments can be made for the elderly, individuals with kidney disease, adverse events and the appearance of withdrawal symptoms.
Only taper gabapentin as instructed by your healthcare provider. Below is an example of a possible gabapentin taper that may be advised.
Gabapentin Taper Chart
| Day | Total Daily Dose (mg) | Directions |
| 1-3 | 2400 mg | Take 1200 mg by mouth twice daily for 3 days. |
| 4-6 | 1800 mg | Take 900 mg by mouth twice daily for 3 days. |
| 7-9 | 1200 mg | Take 600 mg by mouth twice daily for 3 days. |
| 10-12 | 800 mg | Take 400 mg by mouth twice daily for 3 days. |
| 13-15 | 400 mg | Take 200 mg by mouth twice daily for 3 days. |
| 16-18 | 200 mg | Take 100 mg by mouth twice daily for 3 days. |
| 19-21 | 100 mg | Take 100 mg by mouth once daily for 3 days, then STOP. |
Medically Supervised Gabapentin Detox
The body eliminates gabapentin from the system during detox. Some people may be able to go through detox at home by closely following a gabapentin tapering schedule prescribed by their healthcare provider. For others, it may be dangerous to go through withdrawal from gabapentin at home.
People with a history of life-threatening gabapentin withdrawal symptoms such as seizures or other pre-existing conditions should go through gabapentin detox in an environment where they can be closely monitored. Medically supervised gabapentin detox provides 24-hour supervision by caring medical professionals to keep you safe and comfortable during detox.
Often gabapentin detox is necessary for individuals addicted to more than one substance, called polysubstance abuse. About 15% to 20% of people with opioid use disorder also reported gabapentin misuse. The risk of gabapentin abuse is higher in people with opioid use disorder. Medically supervised detox, like the detox program at The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake, provides support for individuals needing to detox from multiple substances.
About Our Gabapentin Detox Program in Palmer Lake, CO
Gabapentin detox can be challenging to manage on your own. It can be physically and emotionally draining, but you do not have to do it alone. A professional detox center can make the experience easier, safer and more comfortable.
The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake offers complete care beginning at intake and continuing through the entire recovery process. Our accredited medical detox facility provides around-the-clock care by licensed healthcare professionals. They are available to provide medical supervision and treat withdrawal symptoms you may experience.
After detox, our inpatient and outpatient programs are available to help you live a drug-free life. In addition to counseling and group therapy sessions, The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake offers recreational therapies, including swimming, basketball and volleyball, as well as yoga and drama therapy.
If you or someone you love needs help with gabapentin addiction, The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our gabapentin detox and addiction treatment programs and how we can help you on your road to recovery.
