RLS, zyban and Gabapentin

[jaime77]

Well this is weird!! I’ve started zyban to quit smoking and I’m not having to take as many ropinirol! I’m currently on 0.25mg down from 1mg! The only thing is I have really bad insomnia due to the zyban (not the RLS) can I take 100mg Gabapentin to help with the insomnia? I’m hoping to get off the ropinirol completely while on the zyban!

[SueJohnson]

That's not surprising. Zyban has been shown in some cases to help RLS. Great that you are now down to ,25 ! Yes you could start gabapentin since you are so close to being off ropinirole, although I would start with 300 mg and it may not work fully for 3 weeks. There are some OTC options for insomnia might help with the insomnia in the meanwhile: valerian, chamomile, hops, L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, glycine, and GABA.

[jaime77 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thankyou! I do have 300mg and 100mg so I’ll try the 300mg tonight, fingers crossed by the time I’ve finished on the zyban I’ll be off ropinirol all together and just taking the Gabapentin 🤩

[Joolsg]

That is such good news Jaime. There have been reports of Bupropion (Zyban) helping RLS so it seems to be counteracting the withdrawal symptoms. Brilliant. Let's hope it keeps doing that.

As Sue advises, start taking the gabapentin now and build up. The side effects of gabapentin are dizziness, double vision, leg swelling and increased appetite but most wear off within a few weeks. If the Zyban continues to help, we should all start recommending it during withdrawal!

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/163...

[FLAME43 in reply to Joolsg]

what does gabapentin help with

[Joolsg in reply to FLAME43]

Gabapentin is now first line treatment for RLS.It didn't work for me but it seems to help many with their RLS.

[FLAME43]

sorry Jamie cant advise you, but i do take Zolpidem to sleep over and above my tramadol

[ircam2112]

Gabapentin will likely not help with insomnia. Read this study re:effective dosage range: 1200-1800mg

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/124...

[RLSdaily]

The advise on here the last few posts is off setting. Doctors advise is always the first line. Gabapentin should be always started at the lowest dose. There are side effects and without knowing what others meds one is taking others should not advise on medications. Yes 100mg worked for me for 3 years. Ropinirol must be slowly tampered off or you can have withdrawal. If you are not having RLS right now why take more medicines