Signs Of Gabapentin Addiction
Though the potential for addiction to gabapentin is low, it can still happen, and such an addiction is a serious issue due to its rather high potential for overdose death. When it comes to addiction to a prescription drug, the signs to watch out for differ depending on whether the individual taking it has a prescription or not. If you suspect someone is taking gabapentin without a prescription, you can watch for the following side effects of the drug:
- Dizziness
- Depression or anxiety
If an individual is taking gabapentin with a prescription, then these side effects are not necessarily a sign of abuse or addiction, though side effects often become more likely the more one takes. Addiction itself comes with a number of general symptoms, and a few specific to prescription drugs. Common signs of prescription medication addiction include:
- Lying about or exaggerating symptoms to doctors
- Seeking out multiple doctors to get extra doses
- Switching doctors after the original doctor refuses to continue prescribing the medication
- Changes in social habits and/or circles
- Changes in personal hygiene and grooming habits
- Constant preoccupation with the drug
- Unease at the thought of the drug being unavailable
- Refusal to quit despite social, financial, or legal consequences
- Failed attempts to quit
Lastly, withdrawal symptoms after stopping all use of a drug is an indication of addiction. This happens when a tolerance to the drug has developed, requiring a higher dose to achieve the same effect.
Plushcare’s Gabapentin Prescription Policy
At PlushCare, we prioritize our patients safety and have a specific Neurontin prescription policy to reduce the odds of misuse.
At PlushCare, Gabapentin prescriptions can be considered under the following circumstances:
You, as the patient, sign a gabapentin agreement.
You provide a copy of your government-issued photo ID.
You are not located in a state where gabapentin is classified as a controlled substance .
You are not currently taking another controlled substance.
You use the same PlushCare physician and same pharmacy for each visit where gabapentin is prescribed. You may only move your pharmacy in case of moving your home address or other situations at the judgment of the prescribing physician.
If your PlushCare doctor finds that you may benefit from a Neurontin prescription, they can write you a 30 day supply every six months. In order to receive a Neurontin prescription, we also require a form of ID. You can easily upload a photo of your ID to our app, or email a photo to
Neurontin Over The Counter
If you believe someone else could have taken gabapentin by accident, get in touch with your physician for advice straight away. Although Neurontin over the counter has the capacity to cause several adverse reactions, many folks experience no significant side effects. If you’re interested in trying gabapentin, speak to your physician about the advantages and disadvantages of the drug together with how it could fit into your general treatment regimen.
You should talk to your doctor as everybody’s condition differs and drug interactions ought to be consulted with your doctor. Your health care provider may prescribe gabapentin along with your existing treatment once your existing treatment is no longer working as well. Your physician will slowly lower your dose before you are able to stop taking it completely. Your physician may have to change your Gabapentin dosage. Your physician will explain what things to do. Your physician may suggest you stay away from alcohol when you are being treated with Gabapentin OTC. If you’re not certain what things to do, ask your physician or pharmacist.
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Does Gabapentin Change My Personality
We understand that you may have some concerns about how gabapentin affects you, but you dont have to worry about gabapentin changing your personality. The goal of this treatment is to help you feel better like yourself again and restore your good mental health. But remember, it doesnt happen overnight. Keep taking your medication as prescribed, and talk to us if you have any questions or concerns.
Facts You Need To Know About Gabapentin For Anxiety
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Risks During Pregnancy And When Breastfeeding
People who are pregnant and those who intend to become pregnant should tell a doctor before taking gabapentin.
Research from 2020 suggests that taking this drug during pregnancy may be associated with a higher risk of cardiac malformations in the fetus, a condition called small for gestational age, and preterm birth.
However, it is also essential to control seizures during pregnancy, so pregnant people should only take the drug if it is absolutely necessary.
People should never start or stop taking gabapentin for seizure control before talking with a doctor. They will assess the potential risks and benefits.
After childbirth, gabapentin passes into breast milk. At low levels, it may not affect the infant. However, it is best to discuss this issue with a doctor before breastfeeding.
Gabapentin Use And Abuse
One of the first reports on gabapentin abuse came out in 2004. It was on a study that surveyed patients in a Florida correctional facility, which found that less than 20 percent of the gabapentin prescriptions given out were in the hands of people who had actually been prescribed the drug. Five of the inmates surveyed reported crushing the pills to snort them, with four of the five reporting a high similar to that of cocaine, and they all had histories of cocaine abuse. After that, gabapentin was removed from a number of correctional facilities as an acceptable medication to dispense to inmates.
Prescription drug abuse is defined as any use above and beyond that approved by the doctor. This includes taking the medication without a prescription or lying about symptoms in order to obtain a prescription. Of course, taking more than instructed is also abuse, and likely to lead to withdrawal symptoms when intake is stopped. There have been multiple cases of middle-age and elderly patients who were prescribed gabapentin for pain or mood disorders who also had histories of alcohol abuse. Due to the tolerance of a substance similar to gabapentin, they ended up taking much higher doses than prescribed and experienced considerable withdrawal symptoms after they were taken off the medication.
More commonly, people attending substance abuse clinics report abusing gabapentin without a prescription.
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Gabapentin For Anxiety: Case Study Youll Never Forget
Are you suffering from anxiety? or a panic disorder? Well, interestingly enough, theres an anti-seizure medication can help you out! Gabapentin for anxiety is a drug thats been used to treat all sorts of nerve pain and seizures. But, recently, this drug has become widely used when it comes to treating psychiatric disorders such as anxiety. Are you curious to learn more about how Gabapentin can help you? Read on to learn more about this amazing drug.
How To Request Gabapentin Online
Request a gabapentin prescription online by booking an appointment with a PlushCare doctor. During your phone or video appointment, the doctor will talk with you about your medical condition and current medications to decide if Neurontin is right for you. If you qualify, they will then send your gabapentin prescription to your local pharmacy for pick up.
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How Should This Medicine Be Used
Gabapentin comes as a capsule, a tablet, an extended-release tablet, and an oral solution to take by mouth. Gabapentin capsules, tablets, and oral solution are usually taken with a full glass of water , with or without food, three times a day.
These medications should be taken at evenly spaced times throughout the day and night no more than 12 hours should pass between doses. The extended-release tablet is taken with food once daily at about 5 PM. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take gabapentin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Gabapentin extended-release tablets cannot be substituted for another type of gabapentin product. Be sure that you receive only the type of gabapentin that was prescribed by your doctor. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the type of gabapentin you were given.
Swallow the extended-release tablets whole do not cut, chew, or crush them.
If your doctor tells you to take one-half of a regular tablet as part of your dose, carefully split the tablet along the score mark. Use the other half-tablet as part of your next dose. Properly dispose of any half-tablets that you have not used within several days of breaking them.
Potential Side Effects Of Gabapentin
As with any medication, there is the potential for some side effects when taking gabapentin. The main side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Changes in libido, or sex drive
- Tremors
- Nystagmus
- Blurred vision
Some of these side effects may go away after continued usage, but if the side effects become severe or persist for a long period of time, reach out to your psychiatric provider immediately.
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Will Gabapentin Work For Me
We understand many patients wonder whether a certain medicine will work for them. Its common, and unfortunately, there isnt a straightforward answer.
Many different factors influence how you respond to medication. And some medicines work better for certain people than others. Because each person is differentgenetics, age, and gender, among other differencesyour response to medication may be different from someone elses response. Other factors, such as underlying health conditions, other medications, and dietary considerations, can also play a role in how medication helps your symptoms.
At Brightside, we can help you find the right medicine and find the right treatment to help you feel better.
Before starting a new medicine like gabapentin, its important to get a comprehensive health assessment from a doctor or provider who understands your health history. You should only take gabapentin if a physician or other qualified psychiatric provider prescribed it for you.
It will take about a week before you start feeling the effects of gabapentin. However, its important to continue taking your medication even if you dont feel improvement right away. In some cases, your doctor may need to adjust your dosage for you to get the maximum benefit from the medicine. At Brightside, our board-certified physicians will closely monitor your progress to make sure this medication and dosage are right for you.
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the tablets, extended-release tablets, and capsules at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture . Store the oral solution in the refrigerator.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
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What Drugs Interact With Gabapentin And Xanax
Gabapentin
- Antacids reduce the concentration of gabapentin in blood. Therefore, gabapentin should be administered 2 hours or more after taking antacids.
- Morphine significantly increases blood concentrations of gabapentin and may increase central nervous system-related adverse events associated with gabapentin.
Xanax
- Ketoconazole , itraconazole , nefazodone , cimetidine , and fluvoxamine increase concentrations in the blood of alprazolam and therefore may increase the side effects of alprazolam.
- Alprazolam interacts with alcohol and medications that suppress activity in the brain by suppressing activity more and causing sedation.
- Carbamazepine and rifampin reduce the effect of alprazolam by increasing metabolism and elimination of alprazolam in the liver.
Prescription Medications As Alternatives To Gabapentin For Anxiety
Gabapentin is an antiepileptic medication used off-label to treat anxiety. It is not approved by the FDA for anxiety disorder. Thus, you may need a different medication or approach to address your health condition. Speak to your doctor about alternative prescription medications. Some of them are:
- Klonopin
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Can You Take Gabapentin While Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
There is no evidence about the effect of Gabapentin for anxiety in pregnant women. In animal studies, it has been found fetotoxic causing poor chondrosteosis of bones.
Do inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking Gabapentin, as it may not fit your health condition.
The medication is believed to secret in human milk, however, the effect is not clearly understood. Its intake in breastfeeding women is possible in case if a doctor believes the benefits prevail risks.
Does Gabapentin Have Withdrawal Symptoms
Your Brightside team will prescribe you gabapentin to help you feel better. Once you start to feel these positive effects, you may want to stop taking the medicine. However, in most cases, gabapentin contributes to these good feelings, and stopping the medicine could cause your anxiety or depression to come back.
Its important to continue your prescription and talk to your doctor about any changes youd like to make. If you stop taking gabapentin suddenly, you could experience withdrawal symptoms like:
- Agitation
- Sensitivity to light
- Status ecliptics
If you would like to stop taking gabapentin, make sure to talk to your doctor or Brightside team. We can help you manage withdrawal symptoms safely.
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