Gabapentin best time to take.

[jmnw15359]

I have managed to get of Ropinerole completely I'm now on 2400 mg of Gabapentin a day for the last 3 weeks and I have been trying to work out the best times to take them. I am getting good relief from RLS with this but still getting the odd twinges.

My doctor has put on the box 600 mg 4 times a day but no times. Could you help please with the best times to take them as I know there is a problem with absorption over a certain amount.

And do you think it is a rather large dose and should I try to lower the dosage.

Thanks

[Joolsg]

All set out on RLS-UK website. RLS-UK runs this help site.Basically take 4 doses of 600mg 2 hours apart at night only. RLS is worse in the evening/night as it follows the dopamine cycle.

So whateever time you go to bed- take 600mg just before bed. If bedtime is midnight, take 600mg at midnight. 600mg at 10pm. 600mg at 8pm and 600mg at 6pm. The later dose will hopefully keep RLS from waking you at 4am or early in the morning.

Avoid magnesium 3 hours before/after any dose.

If you find it difficult to take 4 separate doses- you can switch to the equivalent dose of pregabalin by dividing gabapentin dose by 6. So 2400mg gabapentin equates to 400mg pregabalin.

2400 is above average dose- so You may find you can reduce the gabapentin dose now you're through withdrawal.

Reduce slowly from the earliest dose you take. Ask for smaller dose capsules and reduce by 100mg every 2 weeks and monitor the RLS.

[jmnw15359 in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks for your reply joolsg

If I did switck to pregabiln would I take the 400 mg at the same time or separate doses.

[SueJohnson in reply to jmnw15359]

Take gabapentin 1 to 2 hours before bedtime as the peak plasma level is 2 hours then follow the 2 hours regime Joolsg set out. Take magnesium (even in a multivitamin) nor calcium 3 hours before (they interfere with the absorption of gabapentin) . If you continue taking gabapentin.

Take pregabalin in one dose also 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. You can take magnesium and calcium at any time.

[SueJohnson in reply to jmnw15359]

Congratulations for coming off the 8 mg of ropinirole. I know it wasn't easy.

According to the Mayo Algorithm the average effecti!e dose is 1200 to 1800 mg gabapentin or 200 to 300 mg pregabalin. As Joolsg says you may not need that much. Try reducing by 100 to 200 mg gabapentin or 25 mg pregabalin every 2 weeks to find the lowest effective dose.

[Joolsg in reply to jmnw15359]

Pregabalin is more readily absorbed. So you can take it in one dose. Although you can play around. If you get breakthrough RLS in the night/early morning- take 200mg 2 hours before bed and 200mg just before sleep.

[jmnw15359]

Hi Sue

It was a bit of a job getting g off the Ropinerole but it was worth it thanks Sue.

Would it bo OK to split the pregabiln into 2 doses say 10 pm or 11 pm and midnight or would that spoil the effect. thanks.

[jmnw15359 in reply to jmnw15359]

Last question I think

Would it be OK to switch direct from gabapentin to pregabiln with the recommended doses.