Gapalentin dosage

[Hive]

HelloIt's been a while since I have needed any help/advice on Restless Legs thankfully. As advised by Sue Im no longer on Repinole, thank you and now on 600mg Gapalentin, which I take about 18.30 and go to bed about 21.30 up in the morning about 5.15am. I often wake up in the night and sometimes the restless legs are playing up. If I find it gets worse (as unfortunately its one thing I can't deal with) what would you recommend I can increase the dose up to and how to take it, without having to many side effects?

Many thanks

[SueJohnson]

First off take your gabapentin at 19:30. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily." Add 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. 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. If you take magnesium take it at least 3 hours before or after taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of gabapentin and if you take calcium don't take it within 2 hours for the same reason.

[Joolsg]

600mg is a very low dose. Follow SueJohnson advice and see your GP to obtain an increase. The Mayo Clinic Algorithm and RLS UK have the list of meds for RLS and the average dose and when and how to take it. Your GP should look at both. Most GPs are unfamiliar with the timings and prescribe gabapentin and pregabalin 3 times a day, instead of at night only.

[Hive in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you both for the advice it is much appreciated.