Does Gabapentin Cause Major Itching

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I take 300 mg gabapentin at night for post operative foot pain and have started itching profusely does this med cause that and if so how long do you have to be off of it before it subsides?

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1

Hello, Nana! How are you?

Yes, according to the FDA, it has been known to cause this as a side effect in some people that take it, along with nausea, dizziness, mood swings and weight changes.

Have you consulted your doctor? They can help you determine whether or not it is due to the medication, for sure, as well as what you can do to help alleviate it.

As to how long it will take to stop, it really depends on how long you've been taking it, it could take a few days, or a week.

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2

Thank you. Verwon, I have stopped taking gabapentin to see if itching subsides, I am taking doxepin and ceritizine which has helped some. I have fibromyalgia and have been told that sometimes it causes the itching. I have never felt so mean as I do when I am itching! Thanks for your reply.

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3

You're very welcome! I certainly hope the itching goes away, soon.

And I totally understand about it making you mean, it's just totally miserable.

Something you may want to pick up, if your doctor says it's okay for you to use, is a topical Benadryl spray, there are both name brands, as well as sore brands. Around here, I find it for about $3.50 a can. You can spray it on your skin and it really helps with itching. I tend to get random hives sometimes and my fiancé picked it up for me, it works wonderfully.

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4

I'm taking this for nerve pain post op and I itch every night. I take a Benadryl, but it doesn't always help.

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5

I also take gabapentin 300mg 3x daily for itching and never pain I have a bacterial infection and has caused sores on my arms gabapentin makes me pick at them my skin feels wierd

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6

I contracted Shingles 4 years ago, the Drs. Rx'd Gabapentin 100mg, QID, 1 upon wakening, 1 at Suppertime and 2 at Night.
All the while I had sporadic itch especially at night, I sleep with a cool ice bag on forehead (V1 branch Trigeminal Nerve), during the day when taking just the 1 itch is either nonexistent or moderate (tolerable) however at bedtime after taking the 2 IT IS BAD, at 1 point I went to sleep with Boxing Gloves on, I bought them at a yard sale to avoid scratching to the point I'd bleed from breaking the skin. Tonight I am taking just ONE, I often wonder if Big Pharma actually has all their I's dotted and T's crossed in regards to following up their manufactured products other than when a legal action is filed.

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7

I to have an itch in my hands and on my legs and feet. I take gabapentin (100 mg) 4 times a day . the itch is only at night. Can this get worse or should I come of it. I really need to know what to do as I'm on it for nerve pain and it is helping the pain

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8

I take 1 300mg of Gabapentin at night. I have only been taking it for 3 weeks but am itching. Can I stop this medicine without withdrawals?

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9

I take 300 mg capsules 3 times a day for neuropathy, and I have been on it for about a month and half and just started itching bad... like a dog infested with fleas.... I need relief soon..

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10

Get ready for "weird abstract like thoughts" extreme tiredness, instability when showering. I suggest you buy a shower chair, bring the telephone into the bathroom and keep it within arm's reach in the event you do fall and find yourself unable to get up. also moving (meandering about as usual especially backward) as was the case with me. I was taking it for post herpetic neuralgia pain stinging / burning. also take dilantin QID epilepsy. Had originally been rx'd lidoderm lidocaine topical patch 12 on 12 off, 4th year now. 6 weeks back started Vitamin supplements, B-12, D, Magnesium, after doing such gradual lessening of Gabapentin, thought process no longer neuronal tangled, synapse, transmitter, receptor "normal" again. Simply Speaking GABAPENTIN caused more harm than good for me. scientist's have yet to understand this drug fully, let alone serious side effects, end's justify the means not sufficient for me, a "masked lobotomy" with medication.

I stopped the Vitamin regiment 6 days ago, pain recurred, Myelin sheath no longer protected. chances are Vitamins lessened inflammation, increasing normal like blood flow. Pain began yesterday once again, consequently I reverted to Vitamins again less than 60 minutes ago and a substantial lessening in pain, stinging, burn like sensation no longer as evident and extreme.
Be careful being you have a lower anatomical injury which lessens mobility which in turn will slow metabolism which in turn may cause build up. SIMPLY SPEAKING THEY DON'T KNOW FULLY ABOUT THIS DRUG. Try a placebo and you'll see for yourself, I did.

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11

Its so good to know Im not alone with the itching. When I take 600 mg at night is when it really starts. I just started putting it together that its gabapentin doing this. At first I thought it was sun. Now Im going to get off of this. Thanks

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12

I have the same problem with the 600 mg for sleep. I had been taking 300 for pain and never had any itching. Now I'm broken out with what looks,like hives,around my waist, neck, arms and legs. This is so discouraging because it works better than anything else for sleep. I've tried 400 which didn't work and 500 which also causes itching... My doctor will let me try pretty much what I want but I don't even know what to ask for. Everything I've tried for insomnia either didn't work or had major side effects.

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13

Mel , this may relieve the itch somewhat Eucerin Skin Calming Creme ( they chose the spelling I didn't ) DAILY MOISTURIZING CREME . OTC, price is right and no need to make an appt. w/ co-payment as well .

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14

It makes me itch between my fingers so profusely I can hardly bear it. I suspected it was the Gabapentin & so I stopped taking it after my doctor didn't address the itching at all. The itching stopped. That was about 9 months ago & i've been itch-free. Then about 10 days ago I had some heavy pain from neuropathy which I usually just grin & bear it, but this was also joint pain so I decided to take Gabapentin again to deal with it. Now I'm up itching so bad I'm typing this note. arghhh!The itching is awful! I'm done with gabapentin. They don't even know everything about it and WHY am I taking an anti-seizure medicine that can affect my kidneys & my mental health?? Nevr again.

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15

I've had Relentless itching and even feelings of bees stinging me. This has been going on for 6 months! I was certain it was scabies but the treatment didn't work. This has been miserable!! Truly unbearable from head to toe! The one thing I found that stops it for 2 days is a hot bath with LOTS of olive oil. Now that I've stumbled upon this page I'm definitely stopping Gabapentin right away! Question: can you stop cold turkey?

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16

I'm in the same boat as you are.Now here it is3:24am and I'm clawing my skin so badly because I'm itching so much

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17

I am on 400 mg in the morning and 800 mg at bedtime for the neuropathy in my feet. I have been on this for a couple of years. After just spending yet one more night applying hydrocortisone cream from head to toe, I decided to do research this morning and happened upon this site. I have discussed this excruciating itching with my PCP for the past year. He never offered a solution or seemed concerned about my complaint. I don't know yet what I will do from this day forward, but am so happy to learn that I am not, in fact, a crazy lady.

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18

Wow! I have been on Gabapentin for 4 years and my dosage keeps going up. I now take 900mg before bedtime, but was told my itching was because of my age (menopausal). Now it's possible it is both! I itch for hours until I fall asleep and on bad days, I itch all day long as well. Sometimes I wish it was bugs, because it would be easier to get rid of.

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19

In my case after I gradually stopped taking Gabapentin , apprx. 3 weeks , the chronic itch has finally stopped after a three month time tenure , the need for skin calming creme is no longer necessary .

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20

Yes, for me and many others gabapentin makes our hands and fingers itch like crazy! I swear to you i could not take it anymore and I love my doctor but he was wrong when he said "probably dry skin".
NO. it's NOT. Its a maddening itchiness that is not worth the itchyness.Trust yourself and ask for another med for neuropathy. I mean for gods sake gabapentin is for people with seisures!
There is Lyrica which is fantastick in more ways than one, however my insurance wont cover it.
But I took Lyrica for awhile in the beginning and loved it- no side effects either. Anyway, I hope this opinion helps and I appreciate reading everyones input here.I learn allot and I feel better knowing itchiness with gabapentin is a known side effect by its patients! My doctor won't admit it lol.

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39

I my self was taking Gabapentin some time ago and I remember being itchy at night time that the itch was so bad that that my stomach looked like a red tomatoe but I never had any idea about the Gabapentin medication until I put in the hospital for chest pain and wasent told why until a about couple of months ago that I started talking the Gabapentin again and the itching started all over again and I got myself unto Chrome and ask the question about the Gapentin and the itch and it took a couple of weeks for the itch to go away I had bought Cortizone the fast itch relief but that didn’t do the trick getting off it was the best thing I did and I myself personally recommend that anyone taking Gabapentin speak to your Doctor asking him/her to take you of the Gabentin Medication there are other medications for pain or for what ever reason we’re taking Gabapentin.

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38

Re: Ken (# 37) Expand Referenced Message

you may find some relief ( I do ) regarding that annoying itch , it's OTC Cetaphil DailyAdvance Lotion , Ultra Hydrating Skin & Body Cream
Clinically proven to hydrate and protect dry skin for 24 hours . as well as drink your water etc. as for the rash take note prior and after that itch , it may appear due to scratching of course , a possiblity perhaps .

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37

Re: Loretta (# 5) Expand Referenced Message

I have severe leg itching is it caused from using gabapentin? Also I have a red rash. Can someone tell me if it is caused from using gabapentin?

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36

Re: Verwon (# 3) Expand Referenced Message

Problem with those sprays and store brand 1% cortizone spray, it only lasts 30 minutes or so.

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35

Re: Jay Woo (# 6) Expand Referenced Message

finding some Relief from both Eucering skin calming cream & Tricalm, both OTC, suggest trying, one may work better than the other at times... however it's worth it. May be gradual.

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34

Re: Elizabeth (# 31) Expand Referenced Message

Elizabeth, I forgot to mention: In the event you should have an annoying itch, try Eucerin skin calming creme. It's relieved my postherpetic neuralgia itch somewhat.

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33

Re: Elizabeth (# 31) Expand Referenced Message

Elizabeth, first, Thank you for the reply. I've been taking Dilantin for 41 years and finding out these things on our own is somewhat unfair. I too am willing to inform others. I take Calcium Citrate w/ Vitamin C along with taking note of food-stuff that's good for bones, avoiding alcohol and not smoking. I also wear a compression stocking along with work boots, they both protect and limit the range of motion in foot & ankle. I also take those two meds two hours apart along with exercise and get a good nights sleep and am willing to listen to any suggestions as well as limit stress and aggravation. Thanks again.

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32

I was taking gabapentin and I was having bad dreams, not being able to sleep and going to pee many times during the night. I looked this up and some people do get these side effects. No longer on gabapentin

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31

Re: Jay Woo (# 10) Expand Referenced Message

How long have you been taking Dilantin? I was on it for over 40 years and now have Dilantin induced osteoporosis. I also had seizures but I'm not epileptic. Please check with your doctor and have him or her write a prescription for vitamin D3 and calcium levels. If needed talk to your doctor about vitamin/calcium supplements. You need to be on an AED for epilepsy but please have you blood work checked. Exercise too. It helps to strengthen your bones. I wish you good health and good bone health.

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30

Re: Scalp scratcher no more (# 29) Expand Referenced Message

I had rhe same problem and had to get off of that medication. After a few days it went away. The strange thing was I had taken it a few yrs ago and had no problem with itching.

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