Has anyone started itching after being on Gabapentin?

Posted by mmoss @mmoss, Mar 28, 2021

Has anyone started itching after being on Gabapentin? I only been on 400 mg/day for 5 weeks but the last three days I started getting some itching. No rash. I don’t see where itching is a side effect. Thank you

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Apr 3, 2021

Good evening @mmoss, Although I have been taking Gabapentin for 4 or even 5 years, I cannot associate the medication with the neuropathic itch syndrome. I have had my PCP and my pharmacist look for any interactions and they have told me there are none. I have tapered off my gabapentin from 1200 to 900 and now 600 mg per evening dosage...replacing it with medical cannabis tincture in a 2:1 dosage (CBD/THC).

What are you doing to treat the itch? I have been undergoing a search for the cause of the itch since last April. I have just added UVB light therapy and am researching Dupixent.

How long have you been dealing with the "itch"? What are you using. You can read more experiences in the Skin Health group
.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-do-you-do-for-neuropathy-itch/
May you be safe and protected.
Chris

anniocao | @anniocao | Mar 4 5:17am

Hi I started Gabepntin 3 months ago and they are driving me crazy with itch all over my body, I have scratched myself to shreds to the point of blood being drawn, so glad i am not alone,

jannam | @jannam | Mar 5 12:31pm

Maybe you are allergic to gabapentin!

Nemo1 | @nemo1 | Mar 6 7:56am

In reply to @jannam "Maybe you are allergic to gabapentin!" + (show)

Thought the same thing…

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Mar 6 1:14pm

Itching isn't a side effect of gabapentin according to Mayo. Itching can be a side effect of opiate use.

arlene39305 | @arlene39305 | Aug 16 2:43pm

I have been itching also. The palm of my hands, fingers, arms, ankles, and feet seem to take turns. My old stretch marks from child bearing 40 years ago itch as well. I am trying hard not to scratch, as that can be frenzied. It started a few weeks-maybe a month after I started taking it. I am gaining weight as well.

arlene39305 | @arlene39305 | Aug 16 2:43pm

In reply to @anniocao "Hi I started Gabepntin 3 months ago and they are driving me crazy with itch all..." + (show)

Me too

weinham007 | @weinham007 | Aug 17 5:07pm

I have a sand paper feeling over my whole body. I am now supposed to take 800 mg 3 times a day. I don’t know if it’s from the Gabapentin or not. I can also say it might be from the 15 radiation treatments I had after breast cancer surgery (lumpectomy).