Neurontin dosing- need help - Neuropathy Message Board

julie-clark · 09-21-2006, 07:27 AM

Hope someone can help with a question, it is difficult to get answers from the dr. who prescribed it for me as he is not a neurologist but my heart dr. and really is not so informed when it comes to my diabetic problems but tries to help anyway. I had gone to him for a prescription of Lyrica after reading it was prescribed for neuropathy but also worked for site pain with subq remodulin which is almost unbearable so i hoped it would help with both. He said Gabapentin was the same thing as Lyrica and wrote the script for that. I have taken it at night and wow, i actually sleep all night and dont wake with pain in my feet or my subq site. my problem is working to taking it 3 times a day. I havent found anywhere where someone just takes it as needed and i wonder if that is even possible? i cant function during the day if i am on it-will sleep all day and if i do get up youd think i was a stumbling drunk. has anyone ever just taken it as needed? my pain comes and goes so why do i need to take it three times a day? thanks for your help- i just am ignorant when it comes to this class of drugs.

Kathim · 09-21-2006, 10:07 AM

Hi..........

I am not a Dr but have personal experience with it. First of all..you should go to a neurologist and he will rx the dose plan for you. Or your endrocrinloogist for diabetes if yours is diabetic neuropathy

I started out only being able to take 100mg at night........and then 100 mg every 12 hours...........then I upped it to 200 @ night and 200 in morning......

From my understanding it cant be taken as needed...it needs to be in system at levels all the time.....as not to create a siezure.

It controls my neuropathy good I am presently on 700 mg 3 times a day spaced evenly.

Please check with your DR

JOANNLA · 09-22-2006, 01:26 AM

I seem to remember my Dr telling me it could take a few days or even weeks to start to work,and then it needs to be taken continuously for it to work well.I take 600 mg at night and 300 in the morning.Maybe something like this would work for you.I had taken it in the past after Tarsal Tunnel surgery,it was 2400 mgs a day,that was wayyyy too much for me,I was like walking dead.So I was leary about trying it again.But my Pc Dr asked me to give it a try,so I did,and it helps.Lyrica is a new,improved version with less side effects,and is not available in generic.

joannla

julie-clark · 09-22-2006, 03:41 PM

Thanks so much to the both of you for taking the time to reply. It is good to hear that it gets prescribed only twice a day and with a higher night time dose as this tells me that it doesnt have to remain at a constant level to work. I know 300 mg knocks me out at night and i have enjoyed a good week of actually sleeping thru the night. might not last forever but i will enjoy it as long as it lasts! thanks again!

SarahNina · 09-22-2006, 08:08 PM

My neurologist told me that neurontin works best when taken 4 times a day.
Neurontin has a half life of 6 hrs, I believe. That means after 6 hours only 1/2 of the drug is in your system.

I hope this helps.