Increased PM Gabapentin Dose - Really Groggy Next AM

[Catnapper]

I've been taking 600 mg of gabapentin at bedtime for menopause hot flashes, with pretty good effects, for the last year or so. When I initially started the doc said that I could increase the dose as needed up to 1200 mg, and since I see him every three months for other things, it wasn't a problem for him to leave the decision with me. My pdoc is also okay with this.

As I get further into menopause, the hot flashes have gotten noticeably worse lately, so last night I decided to up my gabapentin to 900 mg (split a 600 mg tablet), and felt out of it and groggy this morning. Do you think this will lessen over time like many side effects? Should I try to quarter the pill so my dose is 725 mg? Any experience you can share is appreciated.

[crtclms]

This is the first time I have heard it could be used for Hot flashes. *filing that info away*

I was sedated whenever I raised it, but it got better after a bit, I can't honestly remember if it was a few days or a few weeks. But eventually, it just pooped out on me.

[dedoubt]

Whenever I up my gabapentin dose, I feel dopey for a few days to a week. It does go away. I don't think it would be necessary to divide a pill.

[Anna]

Yeah, about a week or slightly less is normal. If you can, I'd just power through. If not, you can split the dose further if you really want to, but honestly, I wouldn't unless it's affecting you so severely you cannot function.

Anna

[Catnapper]

Thanks for the replies. I will give it a week or so to see if it gets better, and maybe either go to bed earlier, or at least take part of the dose at dinner and the rest at bedtime, maybe that will help.

By the way, it was determined that gabapentin could be effective for hot flashes when it was found that people getting 'hot flushes' from chemotherapy got some relief with it. Sorry, don't have any study links, but I did read up on it when my GP prescribed it.