Gabapentin

[Shumbah]

Does gabapentin cause augmention ?

I am about to start and I am worried about side effects and augmention and being able to come off if required

[Hidden]

The simple answer is no, Gabapentin is considered as an effective alternative to dopamine agonists which DO cause augmentation.

It s better, I've read, to start on Gabapentin for RLS before ever starting on a dopamine agonist (DA). This is because once you've had augmentation, you're more likely to get it again.

Many RLS sufferers who have had a dopamine agonist and augmented as a consequence, have withdrawn from the DA (or are trying to) and substituting for it with Gabapentin.

Gabapentin's initial effect on RLS isn't as marked as for a DA, but it's better to try it first as withdrawing from a DA can be quite horrendous.

No medication used for |RLS is ideal, they all have their limitations and drawbacks. (This includes benzodiazepines and opiates). You need to look at the information of all the consequences of taking any particular medication. Gabapentin has it's own side effects and consequences. In comparison to DAs, side effects of gabapentin aren't necessarily as bad, (no augmentation).

[Nottsali]

I've been building up really slowly and hardly had any side effects. On 400mg three times a day at the moment, not much effect on legs but it can take time apparently

[Joolsg]

No it doesn’t, but like all drugs it does have some side effects. I am on a similar drug , pregabalin, which I switched to because it has fewer side effects ( or at least for me it does).

[marsha2306]

It doesn’t cause augmentation. I’ve been taking it for 3 years.

[Shumbah in reply to marsha2306]

Hi Marsha

By any chance you find you can have the occasional wine at a function ?

[Lapsedrunner in reply to Shumbah]

I take Gabapentin, I’m fine with a glass of wine!

[marsha2306 in reply to Shumbah]

I have a glass of with dinner every night. It has not been a problem with the rls or the gabapentin.

[Eryl]

A friend just posted this link on FB. techtimes.com/articles/2269...

[Lapsedrunner in reply to Eryl]

I’m not sure what you’re saying Eryl. This is about gabapentin being abused by people “who don’t need it “ as opioids become harder to get hold of in USA.

It has a street value here in the UK now , hence it has just been reclassified as a controlled drug to avoid misuse.

The article is about drug abuse, not prescribed use.

[Eryl]

It's possible that prolonged use might lead to addiction.

[Lapsedrunner in reply to Eryl]

Sorry Eryl, where does it say that? The article is about drug abuse.

[Hidden in reply to Eryl]

No one i have seen on all the FB groups i belong to have said they have become addicted to taking Gabapentin and some have been taking it for years, it usually loses its effectiveness over time,. The article is about drug abuse, its about people who want to get high, not about people taking it for RLS. Altho i have not seen anyone say they have got high from taking it. The drug abusers usually take a mix of other drugs with it. We need to be careful when making blanket statements about meds unless you have proof to show us. If you know of people who take Gabapentin for RLS and have become addicted then please show us.

[Joolsg in reply to Eryl]

Addiction is completely different to dependence. People with severe RLS will have to take meds for the rest of their lives and so,yes, they will be dependent. Please don’t bring up the addiction spiel.

[Eryl]

I only shared it because I thought it might be of interest. I don't take meds for rls.

[Lapsedrunner in reply to Eryl]

“Of interest “ isn’t always useful. This was irrelevant to the thread and may have alarmed people. We have a responsibility to read the articles we post links to. We would all love to be drug free but not everyone can be.