Horizant versus pregabalin / gabapentin dosage effectiveness

[AmazedAnt]

Howdy folks!

....I've recently switched from pregabalin 200mg to Horizant - which I'm taking 300-600mg. Prior to that, I've used as much as 1800mg gabapentin. I'm getting some decent benefits from the relatively low dose of Horizant and was wondering if there are any others who have experienced similar results?

More specifically, the dose I'm taking is 1/6th to 1/3rd equivalent to my prior gabapentin dosage (which I split into 2 to 3 dosages spread out by 2 hours in the evening); also it is 1/4 to 1/2 the dosage equivalent to the pregabalin I had been taking.

I'm well aware of the bioavailability issues with gabapentin, but am surprised by the amount of relief I've gotten with my current dose of Horizant in comparison to pregabalin.

Are there others with similar experiences/information? Notably my specialist (Dr Bae, neurologist / sleep specialist with Penn medicine Philadelphia) indicated that 300-600 mg horizant would be sufficient replacement for the 200mg pregabalin , and despite my initial disbelief he appears to be correct for my case!

[SueJohnson]

Take it at 5:00 pm with food because the bioavailability is greatly increased depending on the meal's fat content.

You don't have to pay list price. How much are you paying?

[AmazedAnt in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue, If I continue on horizant I’ll be able to get 3 months for $150 copay. I’m hoping to quit gabapentinoids completely due to side effects , being able to use a good bit less with horizant is helpful in that regard😊… I just picked up a script for Quviviq- same class of medicine as Suvorexant and am hoping that works well plus has less side effects . I’ll report back to let the community know how it works for me

[SueJohnson in reply to AmazedAnt]

That's a good price.

[707twitcher]

you say you’re taking 300-600 mg. Does that mean you start with 300 and double it if needed for relief? How long does it take to become effective after taking?

[AmazedAnt in reply to 707twitcher]

I try to get by with 300 due to side effects, I take 300 early evening and if I’m getting flare ups I’ll take another 300 by 8 pm. I feel effects most strongly after 3-4 hours after taking it, but also noticed a general improvement after being strictly on the horizant for a week or so

[FLfish]

So glad this is working for you! My insurance doesn't cover it and it's too pricey for me.

[tagaxel in reply to FLfish]

If you call the company they will provide you with a method whereby you can get it at a very low cost. Try contacting Truax Patient services at 844-289-3981.

[FLfish in reply to tagaxel]

Thanks.

[AmazedAnt in reply to FLfish]

They have some financial support / coupons available here one horizant.com/resources/

[tagaxel]

It works quite well for me! I'm taking 600 mg.

[AmazedAnt in reply to tagaxel]

Were you taking another gabapentinoid prior to that? If so, which one(s) and dose??

[tagaxel in reply to AmazedAnt]

No, I was taking pramipexole.

[Littlegran]

AmazedAnt,

Are you taking both Gabapentin and Horizant? I have been on Gabapentin for a long time, but was just switched to Horizant. I was not given any instructions on whether to stop Gabapentin while on Horizant, so I was wondering if you are on both. Also, my insurance denied my Horizant; therefore, an appeal, but I paid out of pocket $156.00 for one month. I just started, so I will see how the appeal goes.

[AmazedAnt in reply to Littlegran]

I would check with whomever prescribed that for you . I was just on the Horizant by itself, good luck 👍

[Lanrussell in reply to Littlegran]

I was just prescribed Horizant to replace Gabapentin and told to stop taking Gabapentin before I start Horizant. I'm waiting for my first "shipment" from Truax ( thank you Sue Johnson for the recommendation! saves me thousands of dollars!). I will keep taking my Gabapentin until I have my Horizant and then will stop one and start the other , per my neurologist instructions. Hope this helps.