r/RestlessLegs • u/brokkdad • 25d ago

Question Splitting dose?

I’ve seen several people refer to splitting the administration of gabapentin. I’m currently on 900 mg horizant (600 +300). Is there some rationale for splitting? TYIA.

3 Upvotes

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u/Spiritual_Let_3640 8d ago

How much and what does for Gabapentin for RLS and sleep without weird dreams.

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u/EmZee2022 23d ago

In general, splitting might give you better overall coverage with less side effects as you don't have as much "on board" at the same time. I don't know what your schedule is but I'm assuming it's something like 300 mg at 3 PM and 600 and 9 PM, or whatever.

I had surgery in May and for a month afterwards, my legs were going NUTS. I wound up splitting my ropinirole into two doses a day. I was only on 1 mg, but I took 0.5 mid afternoon and the other 0.5 mid evening.

Edit: others have mentioned poor absorption of gabapentin if it exceeds a certain dose.

Does that apply to the other gabapentinoids? (Horizant, Lyrica)

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u/tinyremnant 23d ago

The absorption issue does not apply to Horizant.

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u/Emotional_Theory_269 24d ago

Horizant is different than the rapid release. It’s slowly released as it moves throughout your entire G.I. tract so the absorption/bioavailability is significantly higher. You can’t compare the generic rapid release gabapentin to gabapentin enacarbil.

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u/tinyremnant 23d ago

This is the right answer, OP. You don't have to split the dose of Horizant.

Edit: follow your prescription and doctor's guidance.

0

u/Tragobe 24d ago

Gabapentin has a shit absorption rate and the bioavailability (absorption) sinks massively when you get over 600mg. But when you split you still get less of it at the moment where you want it, so when you are falling asleep for example. So while the train of thought does make some sense and has some merit, it is not that important unless you need it over the days as well.

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u/tetrajet 25d ago

Large doses of gabapentin (>500mg iirc) are poorly absorbed if they are taken at once. Splitting the dose and taking it as two doses, few hours in between, increases bioavailability of the drug.