Neurotin

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I have a friend who has been on Neurotin for diabetic neuropathy for many years. She said that today her doctor told her that there has been evidence around for last 5 years that the drug is NOT effective for that particular use. She said that the doc told her that this study that has finally been released, demonstrated that Neurotin is no more effective than a placebo for diabetic neuropathy. Since it was only one study she and her doctor decided to take a wait and see course of action. Yikes, I must have passed out a million dollars worth of the stuff for that very condition.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Acute Dialysis.

Wow I'm going to have to do some research on that. Almost every pt I've had with diabetic neuropathy is on neurotin! I wonder if that research also covers the effectiveness in fibromyalgia?

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

It was a while ago and I have no idea how to look it up but a few years back Dateline or a show like that did a story on Neurotin. The end result of the story was that drug reps and doctors were the only people who profited. The drug reps convinced doctors to prescribe the drug for neuropathy and the docs were rewarded with trips, all kinds of things. Also in the show it was told that is has no effect and is actually a seizure drug. I have trouble with a numb patch and pain in my upper left thigh. When I went to a neurologist he prescribed Neurontin. I found no relief whatsoever. So I took myself off the drug the same way I was put on it. If anyone could find that old report I would be interested in reading it again.

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Well, if it turns out that this is true, someone will eventually figure out the actually sums of money wasted on this drug(millions and millions of dollars I am sure). I hope they include the countless nurse hours spent pouring and passing this drug. Not to mention the hours I spent on the phone to pharmacy about the darn stuff. People take a lot of these pills and I always seemed to be short a few.

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Specializes in Detox.

Some of my pts abuse this drug. They say it gives them a feeling similar to the drug ecstacy. CRAZY!!!!

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Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.
Wow I'm going to have to do some research on that. Almost every pt I've had with diabetic neuropathy is on neurotin! I wonder if that research also covers the effectiveness in fibromyalgia?

I wonder about the Fibro, too. Almost every patient that I care for with a dx of Fibromyalgia/Myofacial Pain is taking Neurontin...(as well, as most of my chronic pain patients).

Most patients state it works, but most are taking Opiates as well. It could actually just be the Opiates that are reducing their pain level and the pain reduction has nothing to do with the Neurontin.

If the Neurontin is shown not to work, the Pharma company should be forced to reimburse the multi-millions of dollars that patients have spent on it.

WOW! I have never heard that patients feel that they are on Ecstacy. Although I have had patients on Lyrica that have stated they feel high. Better high than in pain though, IMO.

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/2003-07-11-Warner-Lambert-whistleblower.htm

Here you go, here is an article about neurontin and Dateline

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from the testimony of several diabetic friends, coworkers, relatives - it is a godsend.

perhaps those who are not helped aren't taking a high enough dose. those who are helped the most seem to take 800 mg. q 8 h. a pain management md who treats a lot of our patients has his patients start 800 mg bid then adds the 3rd dose after about 10 days, to see how they are tolerating the drug.

another thought - there are many companies who make generic gabapentin. some patients have told this doctor that some of the generics work better for them than others. some patients are able to go 10 or even 12 hours between their 800 mg. doses if they can get the right generic. and some of the patients find that a particular generic must be taken q 6 - 8 hours to be effective. trial and error. so patients need to work with their pharmacist to see what generic brand they are getting and try a different generic if their current one is not helping. this might necessitate a special order by the pharmacy or even a change of pharmacies or, even a switch to the name brand neurontin. right - get an act of congress. well, hey, if we can bail out the big bad banker boys...

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Specializes in Level 2 and 3 NICU, outpt peds.

Hey all! I'm taking neurontin for mixed diabetic and peripheral neuropathy d/t spinal stenosis. I'm now on long acting morphine and tried to cut down on the neurontin and had a couple of terribly painful days! As the previous poster has said, it may be dose related. I'm currently on 1800mg qd split over a tid schedule. I'll continue to follow this story and have printed it out to take to my pain specialist. Thanks for the info!

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

That was one of the first drugs I was put on for my neuropathic back pain. It didn't do a thing for me except give me side effects. Recently, when chemotherapy left me with nerve damage they tried to put me back on it again for my numb fingers and feet and I had a fit. There's a few others that don't work either. What's worse? Their cost. I just have been learning to deal with not being able to feel anything.

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Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.

When i was in LTC, many people were on Neurontin. I switched those that werent getting any benefit to Lyrica, and it worked like a champion! Keep the dosage as low as possible, especially in the elderly, because it will knock you out. :)

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Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.

Interesting to say the least. My son was placed on Neurontin fpr his chronic pain. He frequently kicks in his sleep and has troubled legs, not sure if it is diagnosed as restless leg. He is also on several other meds. The first thing I wonder about all this is the interaction.

But the outcome is the same. No change in sx's for the legs.:twocents:

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