Research on gabapentin for fibromyalgia is mixed, but some people find it helps to relieve symptoms like widespread pain and insomnia. This article discusses gabapentin for fibromyalgia, including dosage and side effects.
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What Is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is classified as an anti-seizure drug. It’s used to treatepilepsy, neuropathy (pain from damaged nerves),restless legs syndrome, and hot flashes. Fibromyalgia pain is similar to neuropathy, but whether this condition involves nerve damage still isn’t clear.
How Gabapentin Works
Though, if you have too much glutamate, your brain cells can become overstimulated. That can make all kinds of things go wrong.
Glutamate also helps transmit pain signals in your brain and nerves. Too much glutamate may play a role inhyperalgesia, which essentially turns up the volume of pain.
To counter the effects of glutamate, you have another neurotransmitter calledgamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).It calms your cells and quiets your brain. When GABA and glutamate exist in balance with each other, things go well. (It’s likely out of balance in fibromyalgia, though.)
Some diseases and conditions—including fibromyalgia—may interrupt this balance and let glutamate run amok. Gabapentin is believed to reduce your brain’s release of glutamate so the cells can calm down and your brain can function better.
Gabapentin for Fibromyalgia
Research suggests that people with fibromyalgia have too much glutamate in certain parts of their brain, so gabapentin has long been prescribed for it. But is it effective? Research is mixed.
Two reviews of the evidence disagree. One released in 2016 found that gabapentin is an effective fibromyalgia treatment,while another, published in 2017,reported only low-quality evidence.
In studies comparing gabapentin with Lyrica (pregabalin), including one published inThe Journal of the American Medical Association,pregabalin appeared to perform better.
An extended-release form of gabapentin showed promise in one small trial published inPain Practice.Researchers say it improved pain, sleep, and quality of life. This was a preliminary trial, though, so more work needs to be done before we’ll know for sure whether it’s safe and effective long term.
Gabapentin Dosage
Gabapentin is usually started at a low dose and then gradually increased. Be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. A typical dose ranges between 900 milligrams (mg) and 1,800 mg daily, divided into three doses.
You shouldn’t stop taking gabapentin suddenly. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about the proper weaning procedure for the dose you’re taking.
Gabapentin Side Effects
Like all drugs, gabapentin comes with a risk of side effects.Some are potentially dangerous, while others are not. If you have any of the following side effects while taking gabapentin, call your healthcare provider immediately:
Side effects that aren’t cause for immediate concern include:
Children taking gabapentin may experience a different set of side effects. Contact your healthcare provider immediately for the following:
Gabapentin may interact negatively with other drugs. Be sure your healthcare provider and pharmacist know everything you’re taking.
Is Gabapentin Right for You?
With evidence being weak and mixed, gabapentin has one clear advantage over Lyrica—it’s generic, and therefore much less expensive. Price, however, is far less important than efficacy.
We all react differently to medications. Some people who don’t get relief with other drugs, including Lyrica, may have better results from gabapentin. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and drawbacks gabapentin may have for your overall treatment regimen.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt depends on your symptoms. Research shows that amitriptyline and pregabalin (a drug similar to gabapentin) are equally effective at relieving pain, fatigue, insomnia, and brain fog. Amitriptyline is better at relieving muscular pain while pregabalin is better at easing neuropathic pain.Gabapentin also treats neuropathy.Weight gain is a reported side effect of taking gabapentin. The medication may increase appetite and can also cause water retention.Gabapentin is typically taken in three daily doses that add up to between 900 mg and 2,400 mg. There is no standard dosage of gabapentin for fibromyalgia because it is an off-label use.Studies investigating the use of gabapentin for fibromyalgia used between 1,200 mg and 2,400 mg total daily dose.The maximum dose of gabapentin for any condition is 5,400 mg daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your symptoms. Research shows that amitriptyline and pregabalin (a drug similar to gabapentin) are equally effective at relieving pain, fatigue, insomnia, and brain fog. Amitriptyline is better at relieving muscular pain while pregabalin is better at easing neuropathic pain.Gabapentin also treats neuropathy.
Weight gain is a reported side effect of taking gabapentin. The medication may increase appetite and can also cause water retention.
Gabapentin is typically taken in three daily doses that add up to between 900 mg and 2,400 mg. There is no standard dosage of gabapentin for fibromyalgia because it is an off-label use.Studies investigating the use of gabapentin for fibromyalgia used between 1,200 mg and 2,400 mg total daily dose.The maximum dose of gabapentin for any condition is 5,400 mg daily.
Gabapentin is typically taken in three daily doses that add up to between 900 mg and 2,400 mg. There is no standard dosage of gabapentin for fibromyalgia because it is an off-label use.
Studies investigating the use of gabapentin for fibromyalgia used between 1,200 mg and 2,400 mg total daily dose.The maximum dose of gabapentin for any condition is 5,400 mg daily.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Moore RA, Wiffen PJ, Derry S, Mcquay HJ.Gabapentin for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(3):CD007938. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007938.pub2.Wiffen PJ, Derry S, Moore RA, et al.Antiepileptic drugs for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia - an overview of Cochrane reviews.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(11):CD010567. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010567.pub2.North JM, Hong KS, Rauck RL.The effect of a novel form of extended-release gabapentin on pain and sleep in fibromyalgia subjects: an open-label pilot study.Pain Pract. 2016;16(6):720-729. doi: 10.1111/papr.12319.Cooper TE, Derry S, Wiffen PJ, Moore RA.Gabapentin for fibromyalgia pain in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;1:CD012188.Calandre EP, Rico-Villademoros F, Slim M.Alpha2delta ligands, gabapentin, pregabalin and mirogabalin: a review of their clinical pharmacology and therapeutic use.Expert Rev Neurother. 2016;16(11):1263-1277. doi: 10.1080/14737175.2016.1202764.Acet G, Kaya A, Akturk S, Akgol G.A comparison of the effectiveness of amitriptilin and pregabalin treatment in fibromyalgia patients.North Clin Istanb. 2017;4(2):151–9. doi:10.14744/nci.2017.61687U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information: Neurontin (gabapentin).
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Moore RA, Wiffen PJ, Derry S, Mcquay HJ.Gabapentin for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(3):CD007938. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007938.pub2.Wiffen PJ, Derry S, Moore RA, et al.Antiepileptic drugs for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia - an overview of Cochrane reviews.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(11):CD010567. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010567.pub2.North JM, Hong KS, Rauck RL.The effect of a novel form of extended-release gabapentin on pain and sleep in fibromyalgia subjects: an open-label pilot study.Pain Pract. 2016;16(6):720-729. doi: 10.1111/papr.12319.Cooper TE, Derry S, Wiffen PJ, Moore RA.Gabapentin for fibromyalgia pain in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;1:CD012188.Calandre EP, Rico-Villademoros F, Slim M.Alpha2delta ligands, gabapentin, pregabalin and mirogabalin: a review of their clinical pharmacology and therapeutic use.Expert Rev Neurother. 2016;16(11):1263-1277. doi: 10.1080/14737175.2016.1202764.Acet G, Kaya A, Akturk S, Akgol G.A comparison of the effectiveness of amitriptilin and pregabalin treatment in fibromyalgia patients.North Clin Istanb. 2017;4(2):151–9. doi:10.14744/nci.2017.61687U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information: Neurontin (gabapentin).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Moore RA, Wiffen PJ, Derry S, Mcquay HJ.Gabapentin for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(3):CD007938. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007938.pub2.Wiffen PJ, Derry S, Moore RA, et al.Antiepileptic drugs for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia - an overview of Cochrane reviews.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(11):CD010567. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010567.pub2.North JM, Hong KS, Rauck RL.The effect of a novel form of extended-release gabapentin on pain and sleep in fibromyalgia subjects: an open-label pilot study.Pain Pract. 2016;16(6):720-729. doi: 10.1111/papr.12319.Cooper TE, Derry S, Wiffen PJ, Moore RA.Gabapentin for fibromyalgia pain in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;1:CD012188.Calandre EP, Rico-Villademoros F, Slim M.Alpha2delta ligands, gabapentin, pregabalin and mirogabalin: a review of their clinical pharmacology and therapeutic use.Expert Rev Neurother. 2016;16(11):1263-1277. doi: 10.1080/14737175.2016.1202764.Acet G, Kaya A, Akturk S, Akgol G.A comparison of the effectiveness of amitriptilin and pregabalin treatment in fibromyalgia patients.North Clin Istanb. 2017;4(2):151–9. doi:10.14744/nci.2017.61687U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information: Neurontin (gabapentin).
Moore RA, Wiffen PJ, Derry S, Mcquay HJ.Gabapentin for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(3):CD007938. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007938.pub2.
Wiffen PJ, Derry S, Moore RA, et al.Antiepileptic drugs for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia - an overview of Cochrane reviews.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(11):CD010567. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010567.pub2.
North JM, Hong KS, Rauck RL.The effect of a novel form of extended-release gabapentin on pain and sleep in fibromyalgia subjects: an open-label pilot study.Pain Pract. 2016;16(6):720-729. doi: 10.1111/papr.12319.
Cooper TE, Derry S, Wiffen PJ, Moore RA.Gabapentin for fibromyalgia pain in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;1:CD012188.
Calandre EP, Rico-Villademoros F, Slim M.Alpha2delta ligands, gabapentin, pregabalin and mirogabalin: a review of their clinical pharmacology and therapeutic use.Expert Rev Neurother. 2016;16(11):1263-1277. doi: 10.1080/14737175.2016.1202764.
Acet G, Kaya A, Akturk S, Akgol G.A comparison of the effectiveness of amitriptilin and pregabalin treatment in fibromyalgia patients.North Clin Istanb. 2017;4(2):151–9. doi:10.14744/nci.2017.61687
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information: Neurontin (gabapentin).
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