man holding head in hands while trying to treat anxiety with gabapentin

Gabapentin is a prescription drug that was approved by the Food and Drug Assistants (FDA) in 1993 to prevent partial seizures related to epilepsy. Currently, the drug is also prescribed to treat postherpetic neuropathy, or pain or numb feelings in the hands and anxiety due specifically to shingles, after existence approved for this use in 2004. It is as well sometimes used in hospital settings or before surgery as an analgesic.

Since gabapentin mimics the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter associated with slowing communication between neurons, the drug has long been prescribed off-label for numerous treatments, including use every bit an anti-anxiety medication. Gabapentin's effects are somewhat similar to those of benzodiazepines like Klonopin, Xanax, and Valium considering it reduces rapid firing betwixt neurons to create a sense of calm. However, benzodiazepines act on the encephalon by binding to GABA receptors, which gabapentin does not practise. For some people, this may mean gabapentin is more effective for treating anxiety without triggering abuse or habit.

Some surveys suggest that upwards to 90 percent of gabapentin prescriptions are for off-characterization applications, including the handling of feet disorders. Since 1999, research suggests that the drug is both effective and ineffective in treating this mental status. The medication's effectiveness depends on several factors.

Gabapentin Shown to Be Effective in Several Studies

Several studies between 1999 and 2013 suggest that gabapentin is very effective as a treatment for anxiety in specific circumstances.

  • 1999: The start randomized, double-blind written report into gabapentin'south use every bit an anxiolytic divided 69 participants into 2 groups for fourteen weeks. Although the study's authors admit that the experiment was very small, they found that gabapentin was effective in reducing social anxiety in participants.
  • 2002: The 2nd report examined gabapentin's potential benefits as an adjunct treatment for bipolar disorders. Researchers found that the medication relieved anxiety associated with the condition.
  • 2003: Report participants took gabapentin to relieve the anxiety of public speaking, and the drug was found effective for this curt-term treatment.
  • 2005: A study plant that administering gabapentin before surgery helped relieve anxiety earlier and after the procedure, and reduced the demand to prescribe opioid painkillers.
  • 2009: A longer study with eight participants found that gabapentin was effective in treating social anxiety disorder in adults.
  • 2012: By this time, gabapentin was widely prescribed off-label to treat anxiety only acknowledged that the studies touting its effectiveness did not provide sufficient clinical show for this prescription. The group gathered 420 participants who had breast cancer and who had completed chemotherapy. Low doses of gabapentin were found to take strong anxiolytic furnishings in this specific group.
  • 2013: Two studies in this year reported that gabapentin was effective in treating general anxiety and preoperative feet.

Doses used to treat anxiety in these studies ranged from 300 mg (a very low dose) to 3600 mg; the boilerplate dose was 600-1200 mg. A prescribing doc volition work to discover the everyman possible effective dose, but that can vary depending on age, gender, trunk mass, and some other factors.

Downsides to Using Gabapentin as an Feet Handling

Although the drug may exist a skillful arroyo for brusque-term treatment of anxiety, taking it for longer than a few weeks may not be advisable for virtually people. Gabapentin has some side effects that can go long-term wellness bug.

Additionally, gabapentin is only approved to care for nerve issues and seizures. Taking this medication for several weeks to treat anxiety can lead to withdrawal symptoms that mimic other, more serious conditions, including seizures, insomnia, panic attacks, and nerve hurting.

While many people accept taken gabapentin for anxiety and benefitted from this handling, it is not likely advisable for about adults, and it is not appropriate for children or the elderly. Studies examining the medication's effectiveness accept all been small, looking at treatment for specific populations with specific causes or types of anxiety. The drug is non advisable for anybody, and it should not exist used without associated counseling or therapy.

People who struggle with anxiety disorders are also at greater risk for developing problems with substance abuse. While this is mostly associated with alcohol utilize disorder, many of those with anxiety misuse and abuse prescription anti-feet medications like benzodiazepines. There is little information on abuse of gabapentin among people with anxiety, merely it is a risk that must exist considered, equally gabapentin becomes a more widely abused drug.

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