Gabapentin Side Effects Mayo Clinic – What is Gabapentin? It is an anticonvulsant medication that is used to treat nerve pain and seizures. Patients that develop a physical dependency on gabapentin can suffer withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit it. In the beginning, withdrawal symptoms can occur in the first 12 hours or seven days after the cessation of the medication and last between 10 and 10 days. Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, insomnia, headaches, and anxiety.
Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Sweating
- Irregular heartbeat
- Irritability
- Sensitivity to light
- Agitation
Does Gabapentin cause weight loss? Gabapentin can cause excessive weight loss. However, it’s a very rare side effect. Some studies have indicated that a mild percentage of people taking Gabapentin gain weight. Those who lose weight will usually gain about 5 pounds, most likely after 6 weeks of taking Gabapentin. This amount of weight loss is not caused by Gabapentin’s side effects; it’s the side effect of another drug you’re taking.
Gabapentin Side Effects Mayo Clinic
- continuous, uncontrolled, back-and-forth, or rolling eye movements
- clumsiness or unsteadiness
More effects on children
- crying
- anxiety
- Aggressive behavior or other behavior problems
- false sense of well-being
- restlessness
- hyperactivity or increase in body movements
- depression
- suspiciousness or distrust
- concentration problems and change in school performance
- reacting too quickly, too emotional, or overreacting
- rapidly changing moods
Do Gabapentin’s side effects cause seizures? Unfortunately, in most cases, Gabapentin does cause a seizure. However, this occurrence is very rare and not related to gabapentin side effects at all. Seizures are most commonly caused by other drugs, such as alcohol, prescription medicine, and similar substances, which can have immediate medical complications.
Does Gabapentin cause suicidal thoughts? It is believed that some individuals with psychiatric illnesses may abuse Gabapentin for its effect on their moods. Gabapentin can make depression more severe and cause suicidal thoughts, feelings of guilt, and agitation. If you believe you have suicidal thoughts or jittery feelings, contact your doctor immediately and schedule an appointment.
Does Gabapentin have any common gabapentin side effects? In most cases, if the patient has not taken Gabapentin previously, these side effects will not occur. Gabapentin’s most common side effects are associated with stomach/abdominal pains (nausea, vomiting), loss of appetite, and increased blood pressure. Rarely, do these effects last longer than 24 hours; however, they may still last for several more days.
What are some other Gabapentin serious side effects? One of the most common Gabapentin side effects is the difficulty remembering things. This is often because the dopamine-active neurons (neurons) are inhibitory and thus block impulses from traveling properly to brain cells. This is one of the most important ways Gabapentin works to treat Alzheimer’s disease, as the inhibitory neurotransmitters are necessary for memory.
Another Gabapentin side effect can cause anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and depression. These symptoms could attack anywhere from mild to severe and may signal that the doses of the drug are too low to produce the desired results. Additionally, these symptoms can occur after stopping the medication suddenly, which is why patients should use caution if they decide to stop suddenly. Finally, the increased heart rate and blood pressure can lead to other symptoms like confusion and seizures.
Gabapentin is considered a safe, over-the-counter prescription medication, but patients must see their doctor before beginning any supplement therapy. If you’re taking other prescription drugs as well as Gabapentin, it’s a good idea to get your doctor’s advice as well. Gabapentin is also an anti-seizure and may cause excessive sweating and dizziness in some people. If you experience these symptoms after beginning or continuing your therapy, it’s best to contact your doctor right away.
As far as the physical effects of Gabapentin withdrawal, most patients experience either minimal or no change in their appetite, body weight, or energy levels. In some cases, there may be a slight increase in the rate of bodily tremors or muscle weakness. However, these symptoms are usually temporary and only last for a few hours. This makes Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms easy to deal with. However, these effects don’t last long enough to be considered a medical emergency.
When we talk about the emotional and mental effects of Gabapentin use, most patients report feeling calm and detached during the initial period of stopping the treatment. Still, symptoms usually return once the treatment is resumed. As a result, many healthcare professionals recommend that you allow your body to return to its natural state before treating your condition slowly. This will absolutely allow your body time to adjust to the Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms and allows you to determine better if you’re ready for continued participation in the program. If your healthcare professional determines that you’re still able to participate, you should continue your sessions under the supervision of a qualified medical provider to reduce your chances of experiencing negative psychological effects.
One of the more common Gabapentin side effects is moderate to severe memory loss. Some patients report problems remembering things such as the date of their birthday or where they went to high school. While these symptoms typically clear up within a few months of discontinuing Gabapentin, some healthcare professionals believe that continued use may lead to mental or emotional problems in the long run. Because this condition is often associated with other medical conditions, you must discuss any symptoms you may have with your doctor, especially if your doctor cannot identify the cause of your nausea or dizziness.
While Gabapentin has very few negative effects, you should talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms for prolonged periods or are nervous or anxious about using Gabapentin. This type of anxiety can lead to other serious conditions such as panic attacks and phobias. In addition, if you take Gabapentin but experience dizziness or severe headache upon the termination of the drug, contact your doctor immediately to discuss possible interactions between the two drugs you are taking. The combined use of Gabapentin and alcohol can also be extremely dangerous, potentially causing death or addiction. In these cases, you should immediately stop drinking and discuss any potential Gabapentin side effects with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medications.