Can Gabapentin Cause Depression? Safety Measures
Doctors find Gabapentin as the perfect medication for seizures and nerve pain. But this anticonvulsant is a strong drug that can have some major side effects like depression. A lot of questions arise when someone get prescribed for Gabapentin. Can coming off Gabapentin cause depression, is gabapentin used for depression, Can gabapentin cause depression. etc are some of the most commonly asked queries related to gabapentin and depression. Well, its true, this medicine affects the mental state, so its need to be treated with care. This article will help you to figure out what is the reason behind it, safety measures, and many more.
How Can Gabapentin Cause Depression?
What is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant drug doctors prescribe to patients for serious neuropathic pain and seizures. Doctors can prescribe it off-label, too, for some issues like anxiety disorders and certain types of sleeping problems. Nonetheless, it can only be used if it is bought with a doctor’s prescription. Gabapentin has less potential for dependence, which makes it a non-controlled substance. It is available with other brand names like Gralise, Neurontin, and Horizant, and in many forms such as capsules, oral solutions, immediate-release, and extended-release tablets. If used as advised by the doctor, one can find the best benefits of Gabapentin. But its misuse can lead to overdose and side effects.
How Does Gabapentin Work?
Gabapentin has affinity to certain calcium channels to which it binds in our nervous system and reduces calcium from entering the nerve endings. It causes an influx of calcium into those subunits, decreasing the release of neurotransmitters like glutamate, norepinephrine, and substance P. All of these processes lead to calming down the overreactive nerves that cause the painful sensation. Gabapentin might be an analogue to GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors found in our central nervous system, but it does not affect them directly or their metabolism. With the help of L-amino acids, Gabapentin enters the digestive tract and dissolves in the upper small intestine.
Why Do Doctors Recommend Gabapentin?
Doctors see a lot of benefits in Gabapentin. One of the first things that they notice is that it is the best choice for neuropathy. This pain causes a lot of irritation and pain in nerves, for which Gabapentin is a perfect choice. Another reason is that it is a non-opioid. Opioids are very strong painkillers that have extremely harmful side effects. The anticonvulsant painkiller becomes a good alternative for many other pains, like diabetic nerve pain. It is prescribed off-label for many discomfort issues like that. But because the use is not approved, there is a risk of being affected by the medication’s side effects.
Does Gabapentin Cause Depression?
Gabapentin can be a very good medication, but if you use it carelessly, you are inviting a lot of its side effects. Depression is one of its rare but concerning side effects. One of the more concerning instances is when a patient already has depression. That is because in this case, Gabapentin can worsen the already existing mental health issue. It happens when the drug mistakenly interferes with the serotonin neurotransmitters in the brain chemistry. Serotonin is a chemical that induces feelings like grief, sadness, and hopelessness. When it reacts with the chemical, the thoughts spiral out of control, which can cause depression.
What Happens If Gabapentin Causes Depression?
One of the reasons why Gabapentin causes depression is that it is an anti-seizure drug. Anti-seizure drugs tend to cause recklessness and impulsiveness. This leads to a lot of behavioural side effects, which further affect the mental health negatively. Here are some of the effects the patient may experience.
- Poor Memory
- Unusual Thoughts
- Cognitive Failure
- Aggressiveness
- Suicidal Attempts
- Self Harm
- Worsening Depression
Measures To Take Gabapentin Safely
If you are prescribed to take the anticonvulsant for your pain and you fear the possibility of depression, then consider taking these steps to avoid any side effects of Gabapentin. Let’s take a look at these measures.
- Follow the dosage as advised by the doctor and approved by the FDA.
- Do not allow a gap of 12 hours between your dosages if you have been instructed to take it three times a day.
- Let your doctor know if you have a history of depression or anxiety before the treatment.
- Go for regular check-ups to make sure you do not develop any resistance to the drug.
- If you are taking any supplements, just wait for 2 hours and then take Gabapentin.
- Avoid any other strong painkillers like opioids or benzos unless your doctor tells you to take them.
- Do not take alcohol at any cost during the treatment because it can increase depression symptoms.
Should You Stop Taking Gabapentin?
One should stop using it if they are having any of the symptoms of depression. But stopping Gabapentin abruptly can be the worst decision one can make. It has some of the worst withdrawal symptoms which can show up if the dosage is stopped all of a sudden. It is better to consult a doctor who will definitely start lowering the dose. In this way, one can taper off the medication more safely. The body has built tolerance towards the drug and will still want to take it. But taking any further steps without the doctor’s advice can be very risky
Medications That Can Help With Depression
After tapering off the Gabapentin dosage, doctors can now switch the medication to other safer options that can help one get rid of depression. These involve many kinds of medicines and one of these will be given depending on the range of the side effects.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
- Nortriptyline
- Amitriptyline
- Desipramine
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
SNRIs (Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors)
- Cymbalta
- Venlafaxine
Alternatives for Anxiety
- Atarax
- Buspar
Conclusion
Depression is one of the long term side effects of Gabapentin. Treating it becomes very necessary when it starts to make people think about self-harm and beyond. Gabapentin is a great treatment for nerve pain, and works well even for its off-label ailments. Misusing it can be very dangerous for which one may have to change their medications. Following the measures as advised by the doctor is very helpful and Gabapentin won’t cause any depression or trouble the user with any other issues.