Gabapentin a controlled substance in Virginia. What do I do?

Posted by cognac @cognac, Jul 29, 2019

Gabapentin is now a controlled substance in the State of Virginia. Does anyone have any substitute remedies for leg, ankle and foot pain? Cognac6

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

summertime4 | @summertime4 | Jul 29, 2019

What? Why? I am so sorry to hear that. Can they prescribe Lyrica?

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 29, 2019

Hi @cognac -- I think your question will be seen by a lot more members if it's in one of the main neuropathy discussions. I'm tagging our moderator @ethanmcconkey to see if we should move it to the following discussion:

> Groups > Neuropathy > Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-neuropathy-welcome-to-the-group/

Have you discussed the change with your doctor to see how it impacts you?

When I read through Scheduling of Gabapentin The 2019 Virginia General Assembly ...(https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/pharmacy/docs/Gabapentin06172019.pdf), it sounds like they are limiting the prescriptions and refills. It's not clear to me that the doctor can't write a new prescription. I would certainly want to clarify the law with my doctor or pharmacist. Maybe they can explain it layman's terms. I hate reading that gobbly goop from lawmakers.

Hopefully other members can clarify the new laws on gabapentin.

lioness | @lioness | Jul 29, 2019

@cognac I cant believe that this is one of the major meds for P.N. There are others ask your Dr. about them write to you congressman and find out why?

Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Jul 30, 2019

I have very good results with Lyrica CR (controlled release) 100 mg. It's only once a day and has helped with the majority of pins/needles, and zaps. For me, it has worked better than regular Lyrica. Good luck.

somisgirl | @somisgirl | Jul 30, 2019

Gabapentin is the only drug that seems to help me, Lyrica is way out of my price range, even with insurance. I certainly hope they do not start restricting it's availability!!

summertime4 | @summertime4 | Jul 30, 2019

Why would Gapapentin be restricted? It is not a narcotic. I have never found it to make me "High" or whatever.

somisgirl | @somisgirl | Jul 30, 2019

In reply to @summertime4 "Why would Gapapentin be restricted? It is not a narcotic. I have never found it to..." + (show)

My thoughts exactly. There is no reason to put this in the same category as a narcotic.

babyur4me | @babyur4me | Jul 30, 2019

i understand that Gapapentin is a lower strength then Lyrica which is a controlled substance in MD. Lyrica is hard to stop taking.

lioness | @lioness | Jul 30, 2019

In reply to @babyur4me "i understand that Gapapentin is a lower strength then Lyrica which is a controlled substance in..." + (show)

@babyur4me What on earth is the FDA doing to us that rely on these meds. They aren't in the narcotic or opiod area . We need those meds to control are P,N, ,fibromyalgia Is the drug companies trying to kill us one way or the other ? Rediculus