Gabapentin for Anxiety, Uses, Dosage, Benefits, and Side Effects

What is gabapentin?

Before use Gabapentin for anxiety you need to Gabapentin is a prescription medication that was first developed to address seizures and nerve-related pain. However over time, doctors began to explore whether gabapentin could also be helpful in treating certain mental health conditions, particularly anxiety disorders. While gabapentin is not specifically approved by the FDA to treat anxiety disorders, many clinicians will prescribe gabapentin “off-label” if a patient has not received sufficient relief from traditional medications.

Gabapentin for anxiety

Individuals diagnosed with anxiety disorders often experience significant worry, restlessness, and physical symptoms so intense that they interfere with their daily lives. For some patients who do not adequately respond to antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, gabapentin may provide some benefit.

Gabapentin works in a different way than the usual anxiety remedy—SSRIs or benzodiazepines. In this way, gabapentin may be an option for a person who needs alternatives. The clinical experience of using gabapentin for anxiety provides some indications that gabapentin may address overactivity of the nervous system in a way that allows people to feel calmer and more stable.

Gabapentin dosage for anxiety

The gabapentin dosage for anxiety depends on the person, their overall health, and their response to gabapentin. Typically, physicians start with a low dose—100mg to 300mg—per day, and progressively increase the dosage.

The typical daily dosage could range between 900mg and 1800mg, generally divided into a few smaller doses throughout the day. But only a licensed practitioner with healthcare management privilege can prescribe gabapentin.

Gabapentin for Sleep and Anxiety

Sleep disturbances are common in those who experience anxiety, and gabapentin may have the dual benefit of providing relief in all areas of your health. Several studies suggest, gabapentin for sleep and anxiety can help individuals experiencing anxiety with faster sleep onset, fewer awakenings during sleep, and more quality rest overall. Gabapentin can be said to ease anxiety, and may provide more restorative sleep by calming the nervous system.

Gabapentin has a very different mechanism of action compared to standard medications that help with anxiety. Instead of impacting serotonin or dopamine, gabapentin impacts the calcium channels in the brain, which causes a decrease in the release of a few excitatory neurotransmitters. Thus, calms electrical activity in the brain.

In simpler terms: gabapentin works for anxiety by slowing down brain signals that cause stress, worry, and physical tension.

Gabapentin Side Effects Anxiety Patients Should Know

As with any medication, gabapentin has possible side effects. Below are some of the more common ones to be aware of which include:

• Drowsiness or dizziness
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Problems with coordination
• Blurred vision

Some people may experience some moodiness or increase anxiety when they first initiate the medication, or when making minor adjustments. Rarely, gabapentin can result in more serious reactions, therefore seeking medical supervision is important.

If you experience any unusual side effects, or an increase in anxiety, while taking gabapentin, please notify your physician immediately.

Conclusion

Gabapentin is not a first-line treatment for anxiety, but it may help certain individuals who do not respond to other medications. Understanding what gabapentin is, the dosage for anxiety, how it works, and the side effects allows patients to have more informed discussions with their healthcare providers.

If you are considering gabapentin for anxiety, always seek professional medical advice before starting or adjusting your treatment.