Does Gabapentin Cause Major Itching (Page 2)
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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