Gabapentin dosage

[99selkies]

What is the normal dose of gabapentin for RLS and what is the maximum you can take please

Thank you

[Hidden]

I don't believe there is a "normal" dosage. It's usual to begin on a "starting" dose. 300mg a day if you're under 65, 100mg a day if over.

It's then titrated up until it works. Be aware however that it may take weeks to fully work.

A typical minimal effective dose is about 900mg a day.

The UK maximum dose is 2700mg. However gabapentin has some inconsistent absorption problems so taking any more than around 1200mg has very.little additional benefit. So if you find you need more then it's better to switch to pregabalin.

[99selkies in reply to Hidden]

I am on 600mg daily and have been fo 2 years. Its suddenly stopped working 3-4 nights a week and I don't want to progress to it being every night of the week. So I wondered if I just increased my daily dosage it would resolve the issue Thank you

[Hidden in reply to 99selkies]

600mg is not a particularly high dose so you could increase it.

the other thing is if it has "suddenly" stopped working, this suggests that something else has triggered your RLS.

E,g, have you recently started on some new medication for other things, or changed your diet or anything else that has changed.?

[99selkies in reply to Hidden]

Yes I have. Citalopram about 5 weeks ago I was told yesterday that that is a trigger for RLS So I rang my GP but she's on 2 weeks holidays and I don't want to talk to a locum. So I have stopped taking it.

[Hidden in reply to 99selkies]

You're quite right Citalopram does exacerbate RLS, it seem there's your trigger.

I'm afraid there's noit really any antidepressant that dosen't do that.

Trazodone is reputed to be OK for RLS but has its own problems. Bupropion is another, but it isn't easily obtained in the UK.

[joepublic]

I am 67 & take 300 MG 3 times a day

[99selkies in reply to joepublic]

Thank you

[Walrob66]

I’ve just started on Gabapentin last week.

3 x 100mg per day (1 morning / 1 PM / 1 evening).

After a few days I increased by 1 to have 2 in the evening, and just this morning have increased by an additional 1 in the morning, +1 PM and 2 evening.Certainly feeling the benefit, but will still need to increase the dosage further.

[99selkies in reply to Walrob66]

Thank you for your reply Seems like I will have to increase my dose

[Hidden in reply to Walrob66]

If you're taking gabapentin for RLS only and you only get RLS symptoms at night, then it's not usual to take gabapentin during the day. Just at night. That way, you'll find it more effective.

[Jrskyhook32]

Anyone experience rapid weight gain on gabapentin? I take 900 mg.

[Bananie123 in reply to Jrskyhook32]

Yes! Well, I blame the gabapentin for the extra 2 stone I've put on since taking it, 7+ yrs ago. No idea what to do about it as I only eat one meal a day anyway. It works for my rls, so I'm just accepting it.

[dodonnell in reply to Jrskyhook32]

YESSSSS! I was up to 2400 mg per day... only at night starting at 7pm & spread out. I'm now on prampexerole and 300 mg of Gabapentin, with my doc saying 600-900 if I want. I have also cut my prampexerole (very slowly). I want to get off it and just try CBD oil because the weight gain is killing me. My GP put me on Wellbutrin to try to help with the weight gain, but didn't. I exercise a lot, and eat pretty much the same as I have over the years, but 30 pounds is ridiculous, plus I am SOOOO hungry all the time. If I ate when I was hungry, my weight gain would be 90 pounds!

[Tanker1 in reply to dodonnell]

Same here. I'm only up 10# and I think I have it under control but it sucks being hungry all of the time. It doesn't suck as bad as not being able to sleep.

[Bananie123]

I have been taking 3x300mg daily for over 7 yrs. Occasionally I take another 300mg tablet in the evening or early a.m. if I can't settle. I am always woken by my rls, so take my first tablet in the morning the next one about 6pm and the last one an hour before bedtime. I don't worry if I've to take a 4th one.From what I've read, anything less than 3x300mg, appears to give little relief. You'll find, with a little trial and error, the best dosage and hours to take it, that best suit you.

The maximum dosage is 6x300mg daily. I have increased, ( and then decreased that amount ), for flights to and from Australia. That was with my doctors consent.

Hope the replies on here help.

[99selkies in reply to Bananie123]

Thank you very much for your reply Its very helpful

[Hidden in reply to Bananie123]

If you're taking gabapentin for RLS only and you only get RLS symptoms at night, then it's not usual to take gabapentin during the day. Just at night. That way, you'll find it more effective.

As you're taking more than 600mg it's better to take 2/3 the dose 2 - 3 hours before bed and 1/3 2 - 3 hours before that. If you're waking in the night it suggests that both you're not taking enough at night and perhaps taking it too early.

The maximum dose is 2700mg - UK official source.

[Bananie123 in reply to Hidden]

I get rls all day and all night. I wake up with it and by 5-6 pm am desperate for my 2nd tablet. If I go to bed late, ( after 1am ), I can sleep a good 7-8 hrs. If I take my 3rd tablet at 10-11 pm, then sometimes I'm awake early hrs (5 am ish) and I take another. It has never been an evening/night ailment for me, it's a 24 hr nightmare. I feel I'm lucky to have been given gabapentin from the off, at a realistic dose. Apart from weight gain, I can live with it.

Hope all's well with you.

[Hidden in reply to Bananie123]

That suggests that you are simply not taking enough gabapentin.

I'm not sure how you split your dose, but if you're only taking 300mg at night, this is simply not enough. I take 600mg at night. Even if you split the dose 3 ways at least 400mg three times day may offer some improvement

The maximum dose is 2700mg, but if you increase it to 400mg three times a day and still not satisfied it is best to switch to pregabalin. An equivalent dose of pregabalin would be 200mg (a day) and the maximum dose is 450mg. You may find that you don't have to take pregabalin 3 times a day.

[99selkies in reply to Hidden]

Thank you again

[Covenant1962 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Manerva, I know you take 600mg of Gabapentin before bed. Is that all you take for RLS?

Regards

[Hidden in reply to Covenant1962]

Yes, that's all I take.

[Covenant1962 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Manerva.Sorry to bother you with another question. I have just started on Gabapentin. Is it true that it usually takes 2-3 weeks for it to start working on RLS symptoms? If so can I take 50mg of Tramadol during this time if I need to?

Regards C

[Hidden in reply to Covenant1962]

Sorry for delayed response.

Yes, it does take a few weeks.

Yes, if you've been prescribed Tramadol then it should be OK.

[Covenant1962 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks again Manerva

[99selkies in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[wcp2008]

Your doctor should be able to help you make this decision.