Gabapentin v Horizant (Gabapentin encarbil)

[Jellylegs61]

Does anyone take Horizant as opposed to regular Gabapentin? I've read that Horizant gives better relief..

I'm in the UK and have automatically been prescribed regular Gabapentin. Have to admit I haven't asked my GP about the alternative.

[SueJohnson]

It's hard to get i the UK. It is for 24 hour relief so unless you have it during the day, it isn't any better than gabapentin or pregabalin

[ChrisColumbus]

Gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant, Regnite) isn't licensed in the UK. And as you've found previously, even the now very recently revised NICE CKS guidelines remain unhelpful on how to prescribe gabapentin or pregabalin for RLS: they vaguely refer to guidelines for neuropathic pain. Sue and Jools have previously advised on the correct doses and timings for RLS treatment.

[EYESWIDEOPEN17]

I’ve been taking Horizant ER 600 in the morning and Horizant ER sometimes 600mg and sometimes 900mg (600mg tab and a 300mg tab) depending on my pain at night. It’s always worse at night for me. The majority of the time I just take a total of 1200mg. I don’t know anything about getting it in the UK. I’m in the US and I have found NO INSURANCE that covers it for Medicare recipients. My doc sends it to a place called TrueRX and instead of paying $400+ per month I pay $110 + $10 to fedex. So $120 per month for 60 of the 600mg. I have samples of the 300mg my doc gave me. I canNOT take any other form of gabapentin. I’ve tried straight gabby and I’ve taken Lyrica. Both of them make me have some balance issues as well as mental. I will talk randomly about off subject topics. No cuss words but similar to what I’ve people with terets syndrome might do. I mean I asked my spouse if she saw Blue’s Clues in the kitchen? Funny but totally frustrating. Horizant doesn’t make me do that which is a plus. If you can get it you should at least give it a try.

[RLShelpforme in reply to EYESWIDEOPEN17]

I am in the US and my insurance with Kaiser covers it at $10 for 100 - 300mg pills but I am not on Medicare. Good luck.

[EYESWIDEOPEN17 in reply to RLShelpforme]

Kaiser isn’t in Texas but maybe I can have Medicare take a look at how they bill it.

[2islandboy in reply to EYESWIDEOPEN17]

I'm in the US and use free GoodRx at my pharmacy for my Gabapentin. MUCH cheaper than my insurance. Sign up online and they will send you a card. Look for the free membership.

[SueJohnson in reply to EYESWIDEOPEN17]

I think you meant Truax.

[RLShelpforme]

I have started taking Horizant. 600 mg at night. Kaiser covers it with my insurance - $10 for a 100 - 300 mg pills. I am in the US. The side effects get better - I'm 2 weeks in and the pharmacist says it takes about a month to get rid of most side effects. I have had some dizziness, headache, muscle weakness but at the moment I think I am past the worst. I still have RLS about one time during the day which is manageable and I walk a few times each night for a few minutes but I'm better because I'm not up 4 hours a night like I use to be. I used to take 600 mg of Gabapentin but at that level it didn't help my RLS. Good luck.

[EYESWIDEOPEN17 in reply to RLShelpforme]

I’ve been taking Horizant now for 9 years. My side effects have just gotten worse over time. Didn’t go away for me at all.

[RLShelpforme in reply to EYESWIDEOPEN17]

Sorry to hear about the side effects getting worse over time. Good to know. RLS sucks!

[RLShelpforme in reply to RLShelpforme]

What are the side effects you are experiencing (if you want to share) so I can be aware? Thanks.

[JustVisiting23]

Hello. Gabapentin was ineffective for me. Horizant made a significant difference. I do use a high dose of 1,200 mg/day.