How to stop taking gabapentin: A step-by-step guide

In this article:

• Can you stop taking gabapentin cold turkey?
• Understanding gabapentin and why tapering is crucial
• What is gabapentin?
• Is gabapentin addictive?
• How to stop taking gabapentin: Step-by-step guide
• Gabapentin withdrawal: What to expect
• How to manage gabapentin withdrawal symptoms
• Alternatives to gabapentin for nerve pain

In this article

• Can you stop taking gabapentin cold turkey?
• Understanding gabapentin and why tapering is crucial
• What is gabapentin?
• Is gabapentin addictive?
• How to stop taking gabapentin: Step-by-step guide
• Gabapentin withdrawal: What to expect
• How to manage gabapentin withdrawal symptoms
• Alternatives to gabapentin for nerve pain

Gabapentin is a prescription medication and the widely available generic form of the brand-name drug Neurontin. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat seizures and nerve pain caused by shingles (called postherpetic neuralgia) and is commonly prescribed off-label for a variety of nerve-related conditions. For many people, gabapentin can be an important part of managing their chronic symptoms, but there are cases when patients may need to stop the medication. It’s important to understand how to stop taking gabapentin safely, which withdrawal symptoms to watch for, and how to avoid them. 

Can you stop taking gabapentin cold turkey?

No. You shouldn’t stop taking gabapentin suddenly. Doing so will put you at risk for serious withdrawal symptoms, which could include the return of symptoms or seizures. 

Understanding gabapentin and why tapering is crucial

Before stopping gabapentin, it helps to understand what the medication does and why coming off it gradually is important. 

What is gabapentin?

Gabapentin is a generic prescription medication that’s used as an anti-seizure medication and pain reliever for certain conditions. It’s also used off-label for conditions such as fibromyalgia, anxiety, and hot flashes. 

Gabapentin works by calming overactive nerve signaling in the central nervous system (CNS). 

Is gabapentin addictive?

“Gabapentin is not addictive when taken as prescribed,” says Gerome Burke, MD, physician, medical toxicologist, and expert contributor at Drugwatch.com. “However, it can cause physical dependence, and a patient can experience withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly,” he says. 

It’s similar to Lyrica (pregabalin), which is a Schedule V drug under the Controlled Substances Act. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a Schedule V drug has a low potential for abuse compared to other controlled substances. “Gabapentin is classified as a controlled substance due to its potential for misuse in some individual states, but not federally,” Dr. Burke says.

Though gabapentin isn’t considered addictive, the body can become used to its effects on nerve signalling. And, when stopped suddenly, gabapentin levels can drop quickly, and the nervous system can react with withdrawal symptoms.

Tapering, or decreasing gabapentin doses gradually, is crucial when stopping the medication. Gradually lowering the dose allows the central nervous system to adjust and reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, nausea, worsening pain, and seizures. Working with a healthcare provider during this time is important because they can monitor for serious side effects and adjust your tapering schedule as needed. 

How to stop taking gabapentin: Step-by-step guide

Stopping gabapentin safely requires planning and medical guidance. “Tapering is the process of slowly and safely reducing your dose of gabapentin over time, rather than suddenly stopping,” Dr. Burke explains. A gradual approach helps your nervous system adjust to decreasing levels of gabapentin and reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms or rebound symptoms. 

Consider these steps:

1. Talk to your healthcare provider about stopping gabapentin.
2. Confirm your current dose and formulation, as your tapering plan can depend on your current treatment. 
3. Work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized tapering schedule.
4. Take doses exactly as scheduled, not stepping down earlier or later.
5. Track symptoms such as pain levels, sleep, mood, and physical changes. 
6. Report problems early, don’t wait until symptoms are severe or feel unmanageable.
7. Avoid alcohol and other sedating drugs that can interact with gabapentin or mask withdrawal symptoms.
8. Get emergency care for severe symptoms if you notice them: seizure, confusion, or suicidal ideation or behaviors.

Gabapentin withdrawal: What to expect

Symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal may come on within 24 to 48 hours after your last dose. Gabapentin’s half-life is about five to seven hours, meaning half of the amount of the drug is left in the bloodstream five to seven hours after taking the medication. It typically takes about two days for the body to fully eliminate a dose of gabapentin from its system (if no more is taken), although this can vary based on individual factors.

For many people, withdrawal symptoms can take several days or a few weeks to improve, depending on their gabapentin dose and how gradually they tapered gabapentin. The taper process can take a few weeks to months, and on rare occasions, even longer. For example, one published case study describes an 18-month taper period for an individual with severe withdrawal symptoms. 

Common symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal include:

• Seizures
• Depression
• Suicidal ideation and behavior 
• Agitation, confusion, and disorientation
• Psychotic symptoms
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Return of symptoms such as nerve pain
• Sweating
• Tremor
• Headache and dizziness

Psychological symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal can occur, and in some cases may be serious. They can include mood changes such as irritability, restlessness, anxiety, depression, and, less commonly, suicidal ideation and behavior. 

“Healthcare providers manage these risks by creating an individualized tapering schedule,” says Dr. Burke. “For the best outcome, communicate with the healthcare provider about any new symptoms to allow them to manage the taper safely,” he says. Contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency care if you notice signs of seizures, severe confusion, chest pain, hallucinations, or significantly slowed or irregular breathing. Severe mood changes that result in suicidal ideation and behaviors are also a medical emergency and require emergency crisis care. 

Call or text 988 in a mental health crisis to get connected to help.

How to manage gabapentin withdrawal symptoms 

Managing gabapentin withdrawal focuses on supporting your body as it adjusts to decreasing gabapentin levels. Even with tapering slowly, mild symptoms can occur, but there are ways to ease the transition.

Keep lifestyle habits consistent to regulate the nervous system. Prioritize regular sleeping times and keep daily routines predictable. Gentle daily movement, such as walking, can help with restlessness or rebound pain. Stress management practices like slow breathing and meditation can help with anxiety or irritability. 

Stay hydrated and aim for balanced meals to support steady energy. Especially with sweating or nausea, hydration can keep headaches and other symptoms of dehydration at bay. Limit caffeine and other stimulants to reduce sleep disruption, restlessness, and anxiety. 

Monitor your symptoms throughout your taper period and communicate regularly with your healthcare provider about your progress and symptoms. Reach out if your symptoms worsen, interfere with your daily life, or don’t improve. “However, serious side effects like suicidal thoughts or signs of an allergic reaction require immediate medical care,” says Elizabeth Rubin, MD, physician and clinical adviser at Embers Recovery in Phoenix, Arizona.

Alternatives to gabapentin for nerve pain

If you’re prescribed gabapentin for nerve pain, there are other alternatives your healthcare provider may consider switching to. “Some common alternatives to gabapentin for nerve pain include pregabalin or Lyrica, Cymbalta (duloxetine), tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, or topical treatments like lidocaine patches,” says Dr. Rubin. The right medication can depend on the type of pain, your medical history, and how your body responds to treatment, and only your healthcare provider can determine which medication is best for you.

Other anticonvulsants, such as Lyrica or generic pregabalin, work in a similar way to gabapentin. Lyrica is not considered to be addictive when taken as prescribed, but it is classified as a Schedule V drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Lyrica can cause similar side effects as gabapentin, including the risk of withdrawal, and it shouldn’t be taken together with gabapentin.

Certain antidepressants, including duloxetine or amitriptyline, are commonly prescribed for nerve pain. These medications aren’t considered addictive, but they do affect the nervous system in a different way and require careful dosing and tapering when discontinuing.

If cost is a factor, there are ways to make gabapentin more affordable without switching medications. Gabapentin, on average, costs $149 for 90, 300 mg capsules without insurance or discounts. However, you can save up to 94% by using a SingleCare discount card at participating pharmacies. It’s free and easy to use, and you could pay as low as $9 instead of $149 for 90, 300 mg capsules, depending on your choice of pharmacy. Compare prices near you here or on the app, and present it to pharmacy staff at checkout. 

Bottom line

Stopping gabapentin can be done safely, but it should always be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider. A gradual, supervised taper lowers the risk of withdrawal symptoms, rebound pain, and serious complications. As your dose is reduced, watch for changes in mood, sleep, pain levels, or physical symptoms. Contact your healthcare professional if side effects become difficult to manage, and seek emergency medical care for symptoms such as confusion, seizures, or significant mood changes. 

If gabapentin isn’t the right fit, there are alternative options for managing nerve pain. And if it is helping, there may be ways to make it more affordable. A conversation with your healthcare provider can help ensure your treatment remains safe, effective, and sustainable.

The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Feb. 20, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our gabapentin coupon page for updated gabapentin prices near you.