Questions about Gabapentin Enacarbil for Primary RLS

[Kayakcarole]

1. What side effects have users noted from taking Gabapentin Enacarbil?

2. Is augmentation a worry with this med?

3. How long before it started to work?

[Hidden]

Sorry you've had no replies. Most members of this forum live in the UK and gabapentin enacarbil isn't available here, only gabapentin which is a different formulation.

1) If you have some gabapentin enacarbil then the side effects should be listed on the leaflet.

I can only say that I've been taking gabapentin (not enacarbil) for some years. Peoeple differ in the side effects they have or in what degree they have them too.

The main side effects I experienced when first taking gabapentin was drowsiness and dizziness and a litte trouble walking. However after a few weeks those side effects wore of. The only noticeable side effects I have now are blurred vision and sometimes double vision.

Some people have weight gain or more serious visual problems.

Some people with pre-existing respiratory problems may have respiratory depression.

2) The risk of augmentation is extremely low as gabapentin works differently to dopamine agonists.

3) It usually takes 3 - 4 weeks for gabapentin to work fully at a sufficient dose.

This is all presuming that gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant) is similar to gabapentin (neurontin).

[Jrskyhook32]

I have had RLS since the age of 8. It has gotten progressivly worse over the years. I am now 54 and it is severe. I see Dr Buchfuhrer in LA. I live in NY. He has been AWESOME. I use Gabapentin. I take 800 mg before bed. It definitely helps but if taken alone it's almost useless. I am on Neupro 3 mgs. That is the most important piece of the puzzle for me. I also take Belbuca 150 micros. The Gabapentin stops breakthroughs in the middle of the night. I'm afraid to say though that while this cocktail definitely works for my rls, it has caused weight gain. Most nights if I take meds correctly at the proper times I don't even feel the rls.

[Jrskyhook32 in reply to Jrskyhook32]

I want to add, my RLS is Severe. Without meds I couldn't function. With them I have a career and have 4 years till I retire. Thank God for the meds and for Dr Buchfuhrer

[TheDoDahMan in reply to Jrskyhook32]

Hi! I'm also a patient of Dr. B. Living in Nevada, I'm required to be physically seen by Dr. B. every 6 months, since the Pharmacy Board here requires it for patients being prescribed opioids (low-dose methadone in my case.) Do you have a similar requirement (for the Belbuca) in NY? Just wondering. Thank you.

[Jrskyhook32 in reply to TheDoDahMan]

I do

[Joolsg]

As Manerva has mentioned, Horizant ( Gabapentin enacarbil) is only available in the USA & this is a UK forum.

However, the side effects will be similar to Gabapentin and pregabalin.

Gabapentin gave me dizziness, double vision, nausea, swollen legs, hair loss & weight gain. I found the side effects intolerable so switched to pregabalin. On that, I had double vision, dizziness & weight gain but the side effects settled after 3 months.

All alpha2delta ligands take about 3 weeks to become fully effective.

There was a 2015 study comparing pregabalin with pramipexole and pregabalin did cause augmentation in some patients. I was on pregabalin for 3 years and it caused augmentation for me ( my arms & shoulders) so I slowly reduced over 9 months.

I should add that Dr Buchfuhrer believes the alpha2delta ligands are not very effective for people who have suffered severe augmentation and withdrawal from dopamine agonists ( me) and I was also taking low dose OxyContin.

I now take OxyContin and medical cannabis at night.

You may not have any side effects- drugs affect us all differently.

[Kayakcarole]

Thanks everyone for your speedy replies. I really appreciate this forum.

My understanding is that Gabapentin and Gabapentin Enacarbil are somewhat different. I will continue my research.

I am pleased to see that Dr Buchfuhrer is the medical editor of Nightwalkers magazine, the official publication of the RLS Foundation.