SWITCHING FROM GABAPENTIN TO PREGABALIN

[BAB97TIE]

I am currently taking Gabapentin 1200 mg. (600 mg 4 hours before bed and 600 mg 2 hours before bed). It has helped a lot but I think I may need a little more but I am reluctant to take any more because I will then be taking it 3 times per day which I know will be an issue when I am away from home for a few hours during the afternoon or when I am traveling.

I would like to switch to Pregabalin if I can take it once a day. My questions are:

1. Is it possible to take Pregabalin once a day. (200 mg of Pregabalin equivalent for 1200 mg of Gabapentin)?

2. Will I be able to continue taking the Pregabalin once a day if I need to increase the dose?

3. When during the day should I take the Pregabalin?

Thank you

[Joolsg]

sps.nhs.uk/articles/switchi...

1.Yes pregabalin can be taken once a day

2. If you increase the dose, you can continue to take it just once a day.

3. It's best taken in the evening, around 2 hour's before usual bedtime.

You can adjust timing and split the dose if you want to. I used to take 150mg of pregabalin and took 75mg 2 hour's before bed and 75mg at bedtime. This was a personal choice as I found it covered my night time sleep better.

Side effects are slightly different for both drugs, even though they're in the same 'class' of drugs.

[BAB97TIE in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you for your reply. Did you switch from Gabapentin to Pregabalin or did you start out on Pregabalin?

[Joolsg in reply to BAB97TIE]

I was on tramadol and gabapentin after withdrawal from Ropinirole. Tramadol didn't help much & I had terrible side effects on gabapentin. My doctor switched me to Oxycontin and pregabalin. Now I'm on Buprenorphine and it covers my RLS completely. I take 25mg pregabalin to stop opioid induced panic attacks.

[Madlegs1]

Or you could up the dose to 1800?

[BAB97TIE in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you but I do not want to increase the amount of Gabapentin that I am taking because it will require taking it 3 times a day.

[SueJohnson]

Joolsg is spot on. I will switch to pregabalin when it is inconvenient to take it 3 times a day (1500 mg) and then switch back.

[BAB97TIE in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you. Always nice to get your expertise.

[Wiggler]

Hi,

I’m no expert like Jules or Sue, but I see a fantastic Psychiatrist in the UK and prescribed Pregabalin 50mg morning & lunchtime to help with day time RLS & 175mg in the evening with 5mg of diazepam. Has my RLS under control for the last 18 months. Only side effects is a little sleepy if work requires an early start but a nice cup of tea or coffee and a shower soon put a spring in my step for the day. Short answer, can be taken across the day from my experience.

[Wiggler in reply to Wiggler]

Sorry, realised from your question you only want to take it once a day so my reply may not be relevant. I don’t find the 3 times a day any hassle. I just set an alarm on my phone everyday to remind me and have a little pot to put the tablets in.

[BAB97TIE in reply to Wiggler]

Thank you. Every bit of information help sooner or later.

[amdrew_m]

I tried switching from Gabapentin to Pregabalin, Unfortunately I didn't appear to get any relief and struggled for about 4 weeks with fatigue , I went back to Gabapentin in the end. The swap didn't work for me, although might have been due to other circumstances.

[joebeddall]

I take pregabalin twice a day.First thing in a morning,and at bed time.It has been an improvement from gabapentin.Been taking for 2yrs'