Gabapentine

[dahon]

Just been prescribed Gabapentine as Ropinerole has started to augmentate. I take Ropinerole about 9ish in the evening, my question is do I take Gabapentine about the same time in the evening?

[SueJohnson]

To come off ropinirole, reduce by .25 mg every 2 weeks or so. You will have increased symptoms. You will suffer and may need a low dose opioid temporarily to help out with the symptoms. But in the long run, you will be glad you did. On the gabapentin, beginning dose is usually 300 mg gabapentin or 100 mg if you are over the age of 65. Start it 3 weeks before you are off ropinirole although it won't be fully effective until you are off it for several weeks. After that increase it by 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1-2 hours before bedtime. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. Most of the side effects of gabapentin will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. Those that remain are usually worth it for the elimination of the RLS symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily." If you take magnesium don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of the gabapentin.

[dahon in reply to SueJohnson]

My Gp told me to take 50mg Ropinerole for 3 days, then 25mg for 3 days then a 300mg Gabapentine on 7th day instead of Ropinerole. I am over 65 yet I have seen on this forum to start with 100 mg of Gabapentine for that age.

[SueJohnson in reply to dahon]

That is probably going down way too fast on the ropinirole which will cause more suffering. The usual recommendation is to reduce it by 25 mg after 2 weeks and even that is too fast or too much for some especially if you have been on it for very long. Yes 100 mg of gabapentin is recommended if you are over 65. That said I started with 300 mg without any problems and I was 80 years old at the time. Everyone is different.

[dahon in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you for your advice. My rls is not severe and been on Ropinerole for about 3 years so just have to see what happens following gp instructions. Everyone is different but I'm keeping my fingers crossed the gapapentine improves my rls

[SueJohnson in reply to dahon]

Good luck.

[Tanker1]

I hope you all are missing a decimal point. 50 mg of ropinerole would be a huge dose.

[Ramrod]

For a few years I have been doing GABA in am and early afternoon. Ropinirole, quarter dose early pm and half dose hour later!👏