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What Are The Adverse Effects Of Gabapentin And Amitriptyline Withdrawal?

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Posted on Sat, 3 Sep 2016
Question: I have a 44 year old son who has gone thru rehab for alcoholism 3 times.... this last time, he was there for three months and came home with meds to continue taking...since then he developed shingles....he was taking amitriptyline (100mg), valacyclovir (1gm), gabapentin (600mg), tramadol (50mg), baclofen (20mg)..plus vitamins, folic acid (1mg)....He just snapped and stopped taking all of his meds and now I'm afraid he is in major depression from stopping all the meds at once....Is this just a mom being paranoid or could this have put him into depression?
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Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Stopping amitriptyline suddenly can certainly be a result of or even cause a major depressive episode. This is highly concerning. In order to treat current depression or prevent relapse into depression, you should encourage your son to speak immediately with his prescribing doctor to restart his medication safely.

Let me know if your having any further queries.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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What Are The Adverse Effects Of Gabapentin And Amitriptyline Withdrawal?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks for your question. Stopping amitriptyline suddenly can certainly be a result of or even cause a major depressive episode. This is highly concerning. In order to treat current depression or prevent relapse into depression, you should encourage your son to speak immediately with his prescribing doctor to restart his medication safely. Let me know if your having any further queries. Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers