Can Gabapentin Be Taken For Sleeplessness?

Posted on Sat, 17 Jun 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 17 Jun 2017 Answered on

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Good morning, Doctor Rynne, My name is XXXXXXX XXXX, from North XXXXXXX My question is, for about a week now I have been laying down resting in the mid/late afternoon, reading or watching TV, and without feeling drowsy or sleepy, I simply fall asleep. So fast it is like I'm awake, then bam I'm out! I don't think I am long but when I aware of what is happening, sometimes I can feel my body jerk or feel my left leg jerking. Also, I feel aware of my surroundings but have tingling in my arms and body, and restricted movement.
My Doctor has placed me on GABAPENTIN 300MG per day for nerve pain, associated to post spine surgery of 2011. I look forward to your comments.
I am a caucasian male, 67 yrs age and my weight 309lbs!

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Gabapentin is a good sleep inducer

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. What you mention is quite normal and nothing to be concerned about. As such, gabapentin is a sleep inducer.

Our sleep has different stages. When you go into stage 1 sleep and then come back, you would not even be aware that you had gone to sleep. But if enter stage 2 and then come back, you feel drowsy.

In this case, you might go and come out of stage 1 but once you go into stage 2 you are going directly into it. As a result, it seems that you are falling asleep outright. Gabapentin has a role to play in this regard. But that is usual and nothing to be concerned about.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee