Can Gabapentin treat anxiety? It is quite possible. Well, interestingly enough, a recent study showed that Gabapentin can indeed help treat anxiety! So, what is this strange new drug and what is the timeline for gabapentin working on anxiety?
First, let's understand what Gabapentin is and how it works. Gabapentin is an alpha-blocker, which means it blocks the action of the neurotransmitter alpha (alpha brain waves). Gabapentin and pregabalin, the older sibling of the drug, were developed in the 1970s by scientist Robert Koche. The pregabalin family contains two additional members: GABAPentin hydrochloride. In fact, the term gabapentin refers to both the generic drug and the two derivatives of the drug.
Let's get back to the timeline for gabapentin dosage and treating anxiety. In general, gabapentin provides very good benefits to patients with moderate to severe anxiety, and the benefits only diminish over time. That's because gabapentin's effects wear off – it's not a “one size fits all” kind of drug. You must be aware of the appropriate gabapentin dosage for you. A dosage that may prove helpful for one person may be deadly for someone else. This is why it is critical to talk to your doctor about your own particular case.
Neurontin, the older brother of gabapentin, is a more common medication used for treating generalized anxiety disorder. Neurontin is thought to work on two levels: it may help to reduce anxiety by inhibiting the stimulation of brain neurons associated with fear or panic attacks; or it may stimulate the release of neurochemicals (neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine) that may increase feelings of well-being. Of course, there is still a lot of research to be done on these two possible mechanisms. Neurontin also has some wonderful side effects: it may help to prevent the formation of certain types of tumors, and it has been shown to reduce the signs of depression in people that have undergone traumatic brain injury. However, it has been less effective at treating the symptoms of depression in people who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder. It is not known whether this is due to the actually low levels of neurotransmitters or a lack of stimulation of nerve cells by the drugs used to treat the disorder.
The general range of gabapentin doses is from four to twenty milligrams per dose. Some people may need lower or higher dosages depending on their symptoms and the timeline for they are trying to wean themselves from the medication. Generally, if you have no history of depression or anxiety, a higher dose should be appropriate. On the other hand, if your general mood is consistent with bouts of depression or mania, you likely will not experience any adverse side effects or worsen your condition. On the other hand, if your general mood is consistently irritable and racing, you may need to lower your dose.
As you can see, gabapentin for anxiety disorders is generally a good medication that simply means you need to monitor how it works and when you should stop taking it. It is important to remember that gabapentin is a stimulant and as such it can be addictive. If you suddenly stop taking it you can have withdrawal symptoms; these can include extreme sadness and other emotional outbursts. Also, some people will have problems sleeping as well as experiencing muscle fatigue. If you notice these symptoms, talk to your doctor about increasing your dosage until you get through your problem.
