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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Increased Dose Of Gabapentin Causing Sleepiness And Shakiness So Should I Continue?

I was taking two Gabapetin for Neuropathy in my feet. I know I m supposed to be taking them three times a day but I forget my midday dosage. So, my primary has me taking three G. twice a day. Just started this last Thursday. I had been having some shakyiness in my hands, mostly, off and on and a specialist didn t really tell me why. I took three caps of G. last night and three this morning and am SO SLEEPY plus the shakiness has been terrible! But after reading the possible side effects in this article, I surmise it is due to the G. I don t like this.
Tue, 27 Dec 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello concerned patient and thanks for writing to HCM

I read your query and understand your concern regarding gabapentin side effects.

A few other details like
Your age?
Dosage of gabapentin You are taking?
Any other drug or medical history ?

Coming to you query,
YES, the symptoms you are experiencing is due to the gabapentin tablet itself.

It is a very effective medicine for neuropathy commonly used in clinic and symptoms like the one you are having is common and will take almost a month to settle down as your body adapts.

If i were your treating doctor,i would prescribe you,
slowly starting with a dose of 100mg gabapentin thrice daily and then slowly increase the dosage as your body adapts to the medicine

I would also recommend asking your doctor whether you can taper the dose now and then slowly increase it up or switch to alternative drugs

If you were my patient and you are not tolerating gabapentin,
I would also suggest you empirically to take tablet amitryptilline along with capsaicin cream for local application or lidocaine patches.

Hope it clarifies and helps.
Please discuss the above options with your treating doctor.
Followup if you need advice.
good day.
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Increased Dose Of Gabapentin Causing Sleepiness And Shakiness So Should I Continue?

Hello concerned patient and thanks for writing to HCM I read your query and understand your concern regarding gabapentin side effects. A few other details like Your age? Dosage of gabapentin You are taking? Any other drug or medical history ? Coming to you query, YES, the symptoms you are experiencing is due to the gabapentin tablet itself. It is a very effective medicine for neuropathy commonly used in clinic and symptoms like the one you are having is common and will take almost a month to settle down as your body adapts. If i were your treating doctor,i would prescribe you, slowly starting with a dose of 100mg gabapentin thrice daily and then slowly increase the dosage as your body adapts to the medicine I would also recommend asking your doctor whether you can taper the dose now and then slowly increase it up or switch to alternative drugs If you were my patient and you are not tolerating gabapentin, I would also suggest you empirically to take tablet amitryptilline along with capsaicin cream for local application or lidocaine patches. Hope it clarifies and helps. Please discuss the above options with your treating doctor. Followup if you need advice. good day.