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Can Prozac Be Taken While On Gabapentin And Suboxone?

Posted on Wed, 14 Dec 2016

Question: My daughter has been diagnosed with psychotic behavior. She is taking Gabapentin and a doctor today prescribed Prozac. I think she should stop using Gabapentin if she starts taking Prozac. She is also taking Saboxone 8 mg. What do you say?

Within the past two months she had a shoulder operation and a hysterectomy. I believe the Soboxone is for pain relief associated with the operations and I think she has been taking the Gabapentin for a long time. She has an addictive personality and the more pills the better. Her grandmother and mother (my wife) are very sensitive to strong pain pills (Vicadin) and my brother was bi-polar. My daughter may be bi-polar. Not sure if this helps but it may.
While very worried I don't believe she would be harmful to herself or others.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Gabapentin can be removed

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

I will suggest two things.

Yes gabapentin can be removed as I do not see any indication for gabapentin in current situation. The major indication for gabapentin are neuropathic pain, peripheral neuropathy and epilepsy. Since none is mentioned I think it can be removed.

Second since you are suspecting her bipolar, use of prozac alone can have switching to mania. I do not not mean that it happens in all but yes we need to keep her under constant observation. For example watch for increased activity, more talkativeness, decreased need for sleep, pressure of talk and expensive behaviour. In case any of these things occurs please contact the treating doctor and stop prozac.

I hope this helps you.
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Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (9 hours later)

Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX
You didn't reply about taking Soboxone. Since I believe it is for pain, I suggest we cut the dosage from 8MG to 4MG because her pain is subsiding and stop it altogether in 5 days. We are also considering not implementing the Prozac because her reaction to new drugs is unpredictable. Perhaps if she doesn't improve maybe we cut the prescription for Prozac in half due to her apparent sensitivity to drugs and then wean her off in a week. What are your thoughts.
Regards, XXXXXXX XXXX 0000

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I do not think we should cut suboxone in such manner

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me.

I understand your concern about cutting the dose of suboxone as her pain is relieved but there is high chance of relapse to higher dose of suboxone if it is done in rapid manner. The guidelines clearly indicate reduction of one mg per week and never more than that. I understand it will take at least two months to taper down the suboxone but I think the continuation over two months more is worth of the task.

Regarding prozac as I suggested above, it need to be used in supervised manner or along with mood stabiliser in person with suspected bipolar disorder. I do not think you should risk her for development of mania.

I hope this clarifies further.
Thanks and regards.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar