Hi, My Brother Was Prescribed Gabapentin As A Relief To

Posted on Mon, 18 May 2020

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

Mon, 18 May 2020 Answered on

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Question : Hi, my brother was prescribed Gabapentin as a relief to neuropathic pain. He has had severe adverse effects that are documented by the FDA: suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, panic attacks. This has been going on for at least 4 weeks. What can he do to get better or reverse these side effects from the drug? I’m extremely worried.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
First thing is to stop gabapentin.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for posting your query.

I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and I would try my best to help you.

I have noted your brother's clinical details. Depression and anxiety are uncommon side effects of gabapentin. You should ask your brother to stop gabapentin. Gabapentin may take 3-5 days to completely leave the body. The side effects due to gabapentin are reversible and would not cause any permanent psychiatric disorder.

Then, a psychiatric consultation should be obtained. Psychiatrist may start anti-depressant such as escitalopram and an anti-anxiety medication such as clonazepam.

I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.

Wishing you good health,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (4 minutes later)

Hello Dr. XXXXXXX

Thank you for the help. I meant to specify that he actually STOPPED taking 200mg of the Gabapentin about 4 weeks ago and is suffering from these severe, yet uncommon adverse effects of the drug.

The drug is now considered a controlled substance, as of recent months. I just feel as though it is a long process of getting back to normal.

What are your thoughts on the length of time he has been suffering from the withdrawal of the drug?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Such long duration withdrawal symptoms are uncommon.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

Four weeks is a long time for withdrawal symptoms of gabapentin to last. In our country, gabapentin is freely available. I routinely use 600 mg per day of gabapentin in my patients with neuropathic pain. I rarely see psychiatric side effects and if at all, they resolve soon.

In your brother's case, it is possibly a co-existing psychiatric illness (it may have started as withdrawal), which needs treatment with anti-depressants, anti-anxiety and may be psychological counselling too.

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar