Gabapentin vs Trazodone: Which Works Better For Anxiety & Sleep?
Gabapentin and Trazodone are quite opposite to each other in various aspects. But sometimes each of them is used to provide relief from certain health issues like anxiety. Due to this reason, it is important to be aware of how to use each of these drugs according to the level of your condition. This will make your task of choosing the correct drug feel much easier. In this blog, we will be discussing Gabapentin vs Tramadol to give you factors to differentiate between them and make your work of choosing them much easier.
Gabapentin vs Trazodone: Key Difference Between Doses, Potency, & Drug Interaction
Gabapentin
This drug is available under brand names such as Horizant, Neurontin, Gralise, and. The primary use of Gabapentin is to provide relief from seizures. The working mechanism of this drug involves calming down the various hyperactive parts in the brain to provide relaxation to the body. Gabapentin itself is not very dangerous, but combining it with other high-potency substances increases its toxicity. This is the reason why it’s placed under the category of Schedule V substance.
Certain health conditions make people unfit for taking a drug like Gabapentin. Those conditions are:
- Kidney problem
- Diabetes
- Pregnant
- Depression
Trazodne
Trazodone is an antidepressant mostly used for treating depression, and certain off-label uses include insomnia and anxiety. It boosts the level of serotonin in the body, which is essential for a good mood and sleep. The immediate-release tablets must be taken preferably after food, and the extended-release tablets at night on an empty stomach. You must never chew or crush any of the formulations; instead, take it as a whole for better results.
Conditions under which you must avoid Trazodone are:
- Allergy
- Heart attack
- Age below 18 years
- Heart problem
- Seizures
What Is The Difference Between Gabapentin and Trazodone?
There are not many similarities between Gabapentin and Trazodone. So, it’s safe to say that both these drugs are different. Let’s discuss all the factors of each drug and see how they differ, and which one suits you best.
Doses of Gabapentin vs Trazodone
You must follow the dose instructions very strictly to avoid harming yourself. The initial dose of the drugs ar always low to allow the body to adjust itself. Further, the doses might increase according to the condition of the patient.
Gabapentin Doses
- Nerve pain: It is recommended to give 900 to 3600 mg a day initially.
- Epilepsy: The initial dose to be taken is 900 mg to 3600 mg a day.
Trazodone Doses
- The initial dose for depression is 150 mg orally every day, which might be increased by 50 mg per day.
Gabapentin vs Trazodone For Insomnia
None of the drugs’ primary function is to improve sleep quality. But in certain cases, the doctor might use them off-label as sources for sleeping disorders. It depends upon the patient’s condition as to which of the two will be suitable for them. Gabapentin would work best if the individual’s sleep is disturbed due to any body pain. Trazodone would be the best fit for increasing the total sleep time of an individual and additionally reducing the amount of awakening time. This is best for individuals facing sleeping disorders due to any mental conditions.
Which Is Stronger, Gabapentin or Trazodone?
If we compare the stronger of the two based on potency, then Trazodone will be stronger because its potency is higher than Gabapentin. But if compared according to their usage, then Gabapentin is used if the pain is very severe, such as nerve pain or pain after surgery. Hence, to determine which is stronger between the two both we first have to decide the condition according to which we will be comparing them.
Gabapentin vs Trazodone for anxiety
If we were to compare Gabapentin and Tramadol for anxiety, then we can consider Trazodone as a suitable option. This is because it is an antidepressant and is specifically designed to help individuals recover easily. On the other hand, Gabapentin is sometimes used as an off-label treatment for anxiety caused due to severe pain. Ultimately, the choice between the drugs depends on the health condition.
Let’s look into some other differences.
| Factors | Gabapentin | Trazodone |
| Schedule category | Schedule V | Not a controlled substance |
| Brand name | Horizant, Neurontin, Gralise | Raldesy, Trazorel, Molipaxin, Oleptro |
| Potency | Low | High |
| Formulations | Capsule, Tablets, Oral solutions | Capsule, tablet, oral liquid, injectable solution |
| Cost | High | Comparative |
Drug Interactions
Before taking any drug, we should consider its interactions. This is to avoid harming our bodies by mixing two incompatible drugs. The reaction that occurs due to this combination is known as a drug interaction. Let’s see the drugs that are incompatible with both Gabapentin and Trazodone.
Gabapentin Interactions
Trazodone Interaction
- Abilify
- Ambien
- Ativan
- Cymbalta
- Flexeril
- Lexapro
- Prozac
- Wellbutrin
- Zoloft
Can You Take Gabapentin And Trazodone Together?
Since both these drugs are low in potency, this might often raise a query: Is it safe to take gabapentin and trazodone together? Well, it is possible to take both drugs together, only if your doctor has advised you to do so, and not for any entertainment purposes. You must never take the combination according to your own will. Certain precautions need to be followed if your doctor has prescribed you these. They are:
- Stop alcohol consumption
- Tell your doctor if you are under any drugs previously
- Check for any allergic symptoms
- Inform immediately, even if you feel the slightest discomfort
- Never overdose on the combination
- Keep drugs out of reach of babies and pets
Side Effects
Individuals taking Gabapentin or Trazodone have to face a bunch of side effects. These effects can range from normal to severe. Let’s look into them.
Common effects are:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Swelling
- Headache
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Stuffy nose
- Dry mouth
- Tiredness
Additionally, some serious effects of the drugs include respiratory issues, sleepiness, pancreatitis, priapism, and hyponatremia.
Alternatives
If an individual is unable to take any of these drugs due to any underlying issues, then there are various alternative options available. These options might be more useful than Gabapentin and Trazodone. Let’s see them.
Gabapentin alternatives
- Lyrica
- Cozip
- Cymbalta
- Topiramate
- Amitriptiline
Trazodone alternative
- Bupropion
- Amitriptiline
- Paroxetine
- Mirtazapine
- Doxepin
- Rexulti
Conclusion
So, at the end we hope the blog have answered all your queries and now you are fully prepared to choose the one which is required for you. Remember that it’s important not to take any steps before consulting the doctor. Follow all of their advice and have patience that you can recover easily because healing takes time.