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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Neurontin Help In Weaning Off From Methadone?

Hi. I have been on 15 mg (down from 20) for a year. Been on methadone (highest level 30 mg) for 10 tears for pain. I take from prescription and they are pills. I just dropped to 10 mg a day. Been 4 days and I am feeling a little worse everyday. Am I going to be able to get to 5 and then 0? How bad is it going to get and does neurontin help? Thanks. Bob A
Thu, 18 Jun 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Neurontin is Pregabalin and the drug is a GABA drug. The drug is a good pain killer especially in neuropathic pain conditions. Methadone is an opioid drug and you have been taking the drug in 30 mg doses. Rapid dose reduction has resulted in the withdrawal symptoms you are having. So it is advised to the patients to reduce the doses by about 20% every two weeks and then stopping the drug completely at about 6 weeks. Some times to prevent the pain due to withdrawal individuals are advised to take drugs like Pregabalin or Gabapentin. These drugs not only reduce the pain due to withdrawal but also helps to reduce the craving of the drug.

If your symptoms are intolerable then please consult a psychiatrist for help.

THANKS, Take care.

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi
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Does Neurontin Help In Weaning Off From Methadone?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Neurontin is Pregabalin and the drug is a GABA drug. The drug is a good pain killer especially in neuropathic pain conditions. Methadone is an opioid drug and you have been taking the drug in 30 mg doses. Rapid dose reduction has resulted in the withdrawal symptoms you are having. So it is advised to the patients to reduce the doses by about 20% every two weeks and then stopping the drug completely at about 6 weeks. Some times to prevent the pain due to withdrawal individuals are advised to take drugs like Pregabalin or Gabapentin. These drugs not only reduce the pain due to withdrawal but also helps to reduce the craving of the drug. If your symptoms are intolerable then please consult a psychiatrist for help. THANKS, Take care. Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi