Gabapentin vs Xanax For Anxiety: Which One Works Best Against The Disorder?
If you or any of your loved ones have been facing anxiety issues, then the doctor must have given Benzodiazepines for relief. The use of these drugs dates back centuries and is quite popular till today due to their efficiency. Xanax is a very famous drug from the family, and is one of the top choices against anxiety. But, in recent days, another drug, Gabapentin, has been in demand for treating mental disorders like anxiety. Although it is not made for this purpose, it’s used off-label for certain patients. Today, we will discuss Gabapentin vs Xanax to help us understand the conditions in which these drugs are most suitable.
Gabapentin and Xanax: Key Difference Between Doses, Risks, & Efficacy
Overview of Gabapentin and Xanax
The drug Gabapentin is a CNS stimulant used for treating various pains. It belongs to the group of drugs called anticonvulsants. Gabapentin is available in the market under various brand names such as Neurontin, Gralise, and Horizant. It belongs to the category of Schedule V drugs, which indicates that it has a low rate of dependency and addiction.
Xanax is the brand name for Alprazolam, which is used for mental disorders like anxiety and panic disorders. It provides relaxation by calming the nervous system. Xanax belongs to the group of benzodiazepines, which can be highly potent, so you must use it carefully. Certain underlying health conditions make you unfit for Xanax. They are:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Asthma
- Pregnant
- Allergy
- Substance use disorder
Factors To Consider Before Choosing Gabapentin or Xanax
Since both these drugs possess the risk of getting you addicted, you must consider all the aspects before choosing such drugs to avoid any mishappens. Your doctor would probably ask you if you are facing certain other health risks, or about any allergies, if any. The factors that the doctor will take into account are:
- Side effects
- Individual response
- Other medical conditions
- Cost
- Risk of dependency
- Onset
What Is The Difference Between Gabapentin and Xanax?
Gabapentin and Xanax might seem similar because they both act upon the CNS to provide relief, but this is not the case. They are both different from each other in various aspects. We will discuss all those factors in detail to gain further understanding of their differences.
Let’s have a quick reference on the differences
| Features | Gabapentin | Xanax |
| Drug class | Benzodiazepines | Anticonvulsants |
| Schedule class | Schedule V | Schedule IV |
| Onset | 2 to 4 hours | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Half-life | 5 to 7 hours | 11.2 hours |
| Strength | 100 mg, 300 mg | 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg |
| Addiction risk | Lower | High |
| Cost | Lower | High |
| Duration of use | Long term | Short term |
| Use | Primarily as an anticonvulsant | Pain relief |
Doses of Gabapentin vs Xanax
The doses of the drugs Gabapentin and Xanax depend on the necessity of the individual who is taking the drug. The initial dose is usually less, which may or may not be changed afterward.
Gabapentin Doses
- The initial dose for children above 12 years and all adults is 300 mg three times per day.
- For children aged 3 to 11 years, the doses are based on their body weight.
- In children below 3 years, the dose is determined by the doctor.
Xanax Doses
- The Xanax dose for anxiety disorder is 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg tablets three times per day.
- Initially, the patient is given 0.5 mg tablets three times each day, which can be increased by 1 mg every 3 to 4 days.
Gabapentin vs Xanax For Anxiety
Choosing between Gabapentin and Xanax can be complex sometimes. Although Xanax is well-known for treating patients with anxiety issues, Gabapentin is also sometimes used off-label for the same. This is mainly due to the lower potency of Gabapentin compared to Xanax. Individuals who require immediate relief from their symptoms can opt for Xanax because it provides instant relief. For those who have to be on medication for a longer period of time, doctors administer it with Gabapentin. So, we can say that it depends on the requirements of the patient, based on which they are treated with either Gabapentin or Xanax.
Which Is Better For Sleep, Gabapentin or Xanax?
Gabapentin and Xanax are not the first-line option for better sleep, and they have their own uses. But, in some cases, the doctor might use them off-label as hypnotics. Since there are no such studies available to prove which helps in providing better sleep, choosing between Gabapentin vs Xanax for sleep is really hard. But practically speaking, Gabapentin is seen to be more effective and a safer option than Xanax if given to tackle the problem of your insomnia.
This is clearly due to the reason that Gabapentin has fewer side effects and lower potency as compared to Xanax. Gabapentin is also suitable for long-term use, which an individual can use until their condition gets better.
Drug Interactions of Gabapentin vs Xanax
Certain drugs should not be mixed to avoid producing any harmful effects, which can cause problems for the body. The outcome of mixing such drugs is called drug interactions, which can be extremely dangerous. Due to this, it’s better to be aware of all the drugs that aren’t compatible with Gabapentin and Xanax so that we can avoid mixing them.
Gabapentin Interaction
Xanax Interactions
Side Effects
Various side effects are seen in individuals taking either Gabapentin or Xanax. These can mostly be an indication that the drug has started to show its effectiveness. By knowing about the side effects, you can even decide whether to choose that drug or go for certain other alternatives.
Side effects of Gabapentin
- Diziness
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Swelling
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Allergy
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Side Effects Of Xanax
- Weight gain
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Drowsiness
- Diziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Irritability
- Confusion
Can You Take Gabapentin and Xanax Together In The Same Day?
Since both Gabapentin and Xanax can help provide relaxation, people might often wonder if is it safe to take gabapentin and xanax at the same time. You have to be careful before combining these two elements because Gabapentin and Xanax interaction can be quite hazardous, especially if taken without a doctor’s supervision. In certain rare cases doctor might suggest mixing Gabapentin and Xanax in very small doses. During the course of taking these combinations, the patient is strictly kept under observation and is told to stop consumption immediately, even in the case of any minor inconvenience. Do not stop taking the drugs suddenly, as it can cause severe withdrawal symptoms; instead, lower the doses gradually.
Alternatives
There are certain alternatives given to individuals in cases where they are unfit for taking either Gabapentin or Xanax. Those alternatives are equally effective and help to ease their symptoms in more better way.
Alternatives to Gabapentin are:
- Lyrica
- Cymbalta
- Amitriptyline
- Lidoderm
- Lamictal
- Tylenol
- Ibuprofen
- Tramadol
- Topiramate
Alternatives to Xanax are:
- Buspirone
- Klonopin
- Ativan
- Valium
- Lexapro
- Propranolol
- Trazodone
- Benadryl
Conclusion
Thus, at the end of this blog, we can conclude that Gabapentin and Xanax might appear to be similar, but they are quite opposite from each other. So, while choosing among these two, you must see which of the two is the best fit for your situation and then choose accordingly. It’s better if you consult a healthcare provider regarding your situation and let them suggest the best.