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Gabapentin For Anxiety: Benefits, Side Effects, & Alternatives

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Gabapentin For Anxiety

Dealing with severe pain can be harsh on the body as well as the mind. This can often result in developing anxiety in individuals. If the individuals have to deal with severe pain along with harsh symptoms of anxiety, it would be very overwhelming for them. In such cases, the drug Gabapentin comes to the rescue. This is recommended for relieving pain since the side effects of the drug are easier to deal with. The Doctor mostly recommends Gabapentin for anxiety in patients who do not show effective results from other forms of treatment.

This blog aims to answer certain queries, like can Gabapentin be used for anxiety? How much time does Gabapentin take to work in the body? Who shouldn’t take Gabapentin? And what are the other options for the drug?

Overview of Gabapentin

Gabapentin belongs to the group of anticonvulsants and is primarily used for the treatment of seizures and restless leg syndrome. This drug is available in the market for usage under brand names like Horizant, Gralise, and Neurontin. Gabapentin is available in capsule, tablet, and oral solution forms. The immediate-release versions of Gabapentin can be taken with or without food, but the extended-release form needs to be taken after a meal for proper absorption.

This drug comes under the category of a Schedule V drug, which indicates that the rate of getting addicted to the drug is at its lowest, but continuous exposure may cause dependency. There are certain side effects noticed in people taking the drugs, such as

  • Diarrhoea
  • Headaches
  • Weight gain
  • Memory problems
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry mouth

Overview of Anxiety

Anxiety is an obnoxious feeling that can give you a shaky hand, a sweaty body, and a certain discomfort in the stomach. These symptoms are quite common to feel before doing something out of your comfort zone. But, if the symptoms become more frequent and hamper daily life activities, then these are the signs of having developed anxiety disorders. Getting affected with this disorder requires immediate medical attention, since the mental condition of the patient is not stable, and they can also harm themselves.

There are several types of anxiety disorders, such as:

Is Gabapentin Used for Anxiety?

One of the off-label uses of Gabapentin is to treat anxiety. This drug is not the first choice for anxiety, and may not be as effective, but it can do wonders in some people. The calming effect produced in the body after taking Gabapentin can also be helpful in calming down the body. It is mostly used when other treatment options have failed to improve the side effects. In some cases, Gabapentin is used in individuals having anxiety along with pain.

How to Get Prescribed Gabapentin for Anxiety?

There is always a chance that Gabapentin can be misused by combining it with other substances; therefore, you need to provide accurate proof of your eligibility to be able to get this drug. Since Gabapentin is not directly associated with the treatment of anxiety, it’s not easy to get recommended by the doctor with that drug for your treatment. The doctor first conducts a full body check-up to find out all your symptoms. They also make sure that you have already tried out all the other options for anxiety, and nothing so far has been effective.

How Quickly Does Gabapentin Work for Anxiety?

Gabapentin takes a long time to show its full potential. In some cases, the initial calmness is seen after weeks of using the drug, unlike Benzodiazepines, which can show their effect within minutes. Doctors do not give Gabapentin to patients with acute anxiety disorder because it is ineffective. The effects of Gabapentin also depend upon certain factors, such as:

  • Doses: Taking a higher dose of Gabapentin can be more effective than taking lower doses.
  • Condition: A person with a much severe condition may not respond well to Gabapentin as much as they would respond to even a lower dose of benzodiazepines.
  • Consistency: If you take a drug consistently, then your body automatically becomes habituated and starts responding well and faster to the drug.

Side Effects of Gabapentin

Gabapentin has a bunch of side effects of its own, just like other drugs. You should consider those side effects before taking the drug to decide whether your body is capable of handling the effects or not. The effects produced are:

  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness
  • Tremor
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Dry mouth
  • Blurred vision
  • Weight gain
  • Memory problem

These are the most common side effects noticed in the individual. In addition to these, Gabapentin can even cause swollen glands, jaundice, hallucination, suicidal thoughts, slowed breathing, and severe allergies.

Who Shouldn’t Take Gabapentin?

Not everyone is eligible to take every drug. This is similar in the case of Gabapentin because certain underlying conditions can make a person unsuitable for the drug. Let us see all those conditions under which you should avoid taking Gabapentin.

You shouldn’t take Gabapentin if you have:

  • Certain health problems, like kidney disease, lung problems, drug abuse, and diabetes.
  • Gabapentin can interact with certain drugs, so it’s better not to mix it with them to avoid harmful side effects. If you are taking opioids like Oxycodone and hydrocodone, sedatives like Xanax, antihistamines, antacids, and alcohol, then it’s best to avoid taking Gabapentin.
  • Elderly people, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and small children must avoid Gabapentin.

Alternatives to Gabapentin

For people unable to take Gabapentin, there are other options available for treating the conditions. Those alternatives are:

In addition to all these medications, you can try certain natural alternatives that ease your symptoms and provide you with relief without having to deal with the harmful side effects. Various natural ways that you can try are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and certain herbal products like lavender to provide calm to the mind.

Conclusion

If you suffer from acute anxiety symptoms, then opt for benzodiazepines to get relief from your symptoms. Gabapentin should not be your primary option to deal with anxiety. Take only the prescribed amount of dose and never overdose. Do not try to combine Gabapentin with other drugs in the hope of getting faster relief. Opt for the alternatives or try some natural remedies if you feel Gabapentin is not working well enough for you. Keep your mind calm and relax as much as you can to heal from your anxiety faster.

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