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Withdrawal symptoms after gabapentin discontinuation
Thaddaus R Hellwig1, Rhonda Hammerquist, Jill Termaat
1South Dakota State University, Brookings/Sioux Falls, USA.
Summary
This case report details a patient experiencing gabapentin withdrawal symptoms, including confusion and agitation, after stopping the medication. Symptoms resolved upon gabapentin reintroduction, highlighting its potential withdrawal effects.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Gabapentin is commonly prescribed for neuropathic pain and seizures.
- Abrupt discontinuation of gabapentin can lead to withdrawal symptoms in some patients.
- Understanding gabapentin withdrawal is crucial for patient management and medication adherence.
Observation:
- A 53-year-old female patient with a history of liver cirrhosis and alcohol abuse presented with gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Following endoscopic band ligation, the patient was made nil per os (NPO) and her home medications were held.
- On hospital day 3, she developed restlessness, disorientation, confusion, agitation, and anxiety, initially attributed to ethanol withdrawal.
Findings:
- The patient's withdrawal symptoms were unresponsive to benzodiazepine treatment.
- Upon reinitiation of gabapentin on hospital day 5, her confusion and agitation significantly improved.
- Symptoms fully resolved, and the patient was discharged, indicating apparent gabapentin withdrawal.
Implications:
- This case suggests that gabapentin withdrawal can manifest as significant central nervous system effects.
- Clinicians should consider gabapentin withdrawal in patients presenting with unexplained neurological and psychiatric symptoms after discontinuation.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and prevalence of gabapentin withdrawal syndromes.
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