Gabapentin as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders - Supplemental Content
This was an open case series involving 11 postmenopausal women who were willing to take gabapentin for the relief of their hot flushes and were willing to keep a diary recording the number and intensity of their hot flushes, both before and during treatment. Gabapentin was started at a dose of mg, to be taken at night, and the women were instructed to increase the dose up to 1, mg, according to symptom behavior.
Eleven women agreed to participate for on average Scores on the Green Climacteric Scale were significantly improved from a mean of In the present case series, gabapentin was well tolerated and could be a valuable alternative for the treatment of hot flushes in women with contraindications to hormonal replacement therapy.
It would be particularly beneficial for women in whom aches and pains and paresthesias are also a significant feature of the climacteric syndrome. Gabapentin augmentation therapy in bipolar depression. Gabapentin GBP may be useful in bipolar disorders, including as adjunctive therapy for bipolar depression, although controlled studies suggest inefficacy as primary treatment for mania or treatment-resistant rapid cycling. Mean illness duration was In non-responders, HDRS decreased from Both groups, however, had similar, statistically significant HDRS decreases.
GBP was well tolerated. Open adjunctive GBP was effective and well tolerated in patients with mild to moderate bipolar depression. This open pilot study must be viewed with caution, and randomized controlled studies are warranted. Gabapentin treatment for bipolar disorders.
Key search terms included gabapentin, mood stabilizer, and bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a complex condition that can be difficult to treat effectively. Mood stabilizers are increasingly being used to manage bipolar disorder. Studies that used gabapentin in bipolar disorders are evaluated. From the data presented, gabapentin cannot be recommended for treatment of bipolar disorder. Further studies are required to determine whether gabapentin has any role in the management of bipolar disorder.
A placebo-controlled study of lamotrigine and gabapentin monotherapy in refractory mood disorders. There is a pressing need for additional treatment options for refractory mood disorders. Thirty-one patients with refractory bipolar and unipolar mood disorders participated in a double-blind, randomized, crossover series of three 6-week monotherapy evaluations including LTG, GBP, and PLC. There was a standardized blinded titration to assess clinical efficacy or to determine the maximum tolerated daily dose LTG mg or GBP 4, mg.
Response rates CGI ratings of much or very much improved were the following: With respect to anticonvulsant dose and gender, there was no difference between the responders and the nonresponders. The agents were generally well tolerated. This controlled investigation preliminarily suggests the efficacy of LTG in treatment-refractory affectively ill patients. Further definition of responsive subtypes and the role of these medications in the treatment of mood disorders requires additional study.
Clinical experience using adjunctive gabapentin in treatment-resistant bipolar mixed states. Institute of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy. Open studies and case observations have suggested that gabapentin may be effective in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
However, the adjunctive use of the drug in bipolar mixed states has not been specifically addressed before. All patients had been resistant to therapeutic levels of standard mood stabilizers, and had a mean clinical global impression CGI of 5. Patients with final CGI scores of 1 or 2 were regarded as responders.
Only one patient had to interrupt the drug treatment, due to irritability and ataxia. Negative interactions between gabapentin and concomitant psychotropic medications were not observed. Ten patients were regarded as responders: The mean dose of gabapentin at week 8 was mg range mg.
The mean final CGI score for all patients responders and nonresponders combined was 3. The reduction in the mania score was minimal and statistically insignificant. However, the mean HRSD score showed a statistically significant reduction from In the absence of randomized controlled trials, these findings may offer clinically important clues about dosing and effectiveness of gabapentin in GAD.
Presenting Features The patient is a year-old Caucasian female. She has had four prior inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations for depression and anxiety with suicidality.
Social history is pertinent for physical and emotional abuse in childhood. She does not use alcohol, tobacco, or illicit substances. She drinks up to two cups of caffeinated coffee in the morning. She had multiple unsuccessful cognitive behavioral therapy trials. Her symptoms included persistent and excessive worry, restlessness, feeling on edge, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, insomnia, and dysphoric mood, as well as diaphoresis, palpitations, tremulousness, and muscle tension.
She was unable to complete activities of daily living. She developed suicidal ideation and required two psychiatric hospitalizations in a one-month span. Ultimately, benzodiazepines were successfully discontinued and she has remained off of these medications throughout 10 months of outpatient follow-up. During her most recent hospitalization, gabapentin was initiated at a dose of mg three times per day TID to manage benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms.
I have zero side effects and have since gone on and off Adderall, sh-t is made of gold, with no interaction issues. I can sleep through the night again, and in general just let the 1st world give shit about their broken nail without my input. I strive everyday to be the best husband and father possible and making sure I am grateful for everything I have. I am on on mgs, 2x daily and see no reason to change my dose in the near future.
I have taken the, Pfizer rep distributed, green labeled mg tablet Neurontin bottle and the generic Gabapentin manufactured by Glenmark with no noticeable difference. Reply Link Martine February 5, , 4: For the 1st time in years my mood is much more stable and my fibromyalgia aches have lessened.
Reply Link Andy May 24, , 3: Zoloft sertraline has helped me a lot, but I still have some GAD issues. I developed neuropathy pain in my feet, and was prescribed Gabapentin for that. I noticed that I slept better, and was generally calmer, and suspected that it was because of the Gabapentin, so I did some research, and ended up here.
Looks like I was correct! Reply Link Emma Goldman May 20, , 5: At the time, I thought I was less anxious because I was getting pain relief, but eventually I realized that the anxiety relief was a separate thing. I have PTSD so anxiety is an ongoing issue for me. After my shoulder got good enough to transition off the gaba, I occasionally would take a mg dose to help with anxiety without thinking too much of it. Now, my sleep doctor is pushing me to go on Prozac to help with my chronic insomnia and anxiety.
Well, I am going to try going back on the Gaba first. One other thing to add — like another poster above me said: Once while I was on the Gaba, I started feeling so awful — dizzy, horrible, etc. Then I realized it all started within 24 hours of my getting my Gaba refill with a different manufacturer. Good luck to all. Reply Link dave brent May 24, , And what was the good brand you switched to? Having the pharmacy switch to another one resolved the issue!
Some months went by and I began feeling the same negative reaction. Sure enough when I looked it was that same manufacturer! I now look each and every time! I take this for anxiety, mood disorder, and fibromyalgia and it definitely works at mg 3x. Reply Link whocares May 14, , 7: I changed Drs because I wanted more Xanax, it was impossible to detox from 1.
However, once starting this combo, almost 3 weeks ago, I have totally stopped Xanax and I think I only drank twice. Both times, I think I forgot my pills the night before. Prior to starting, I was craving alcohol every single day and drinking times per week in addition to 1mg of Xanax. So this combo has been sort of a miracle for me. I still filled my last Xanax script.
And, I filled my Ambien script also despite no need or desire for Ambien. He gave me scripts for 90 days worth of Baclofen and days of Gabapentin.
So I am currently planning to wait until I run out or low on Baclofen. The combo causes me to fall asleep every night sometimes before I plan to or can even take my pills. And it causes some dizziness and blurred vision. But overall, I am thrilled for the withdrawals to stop. I had figured it would take me a year and a half to wean off Xanax without becoming an alcoholic in the process.
So when the Dr refused to give me any more Xanax, I was skeptical, but the proof is in the pudding. Reply Link Ken May 10, , 8: They then brand their own generic Gabapentin through Greenstone. A generic mtf may work for one but not another person.
However, Pharmacy and pharmaceutical companies are in business to make money so they purchase the cheapest generic on the market through wholesale distribution most likely in Canada. Here is a very serious problem the size of the generic may be 3 times as big as the brand! It could also be a tablet not a capsule form. The generics are not the same as brand. They have different formularies, diff binders and fillers, lacquers. They may not be bio-equivalent, bio-available or pharmacokinetics within the rule.
There are so many manufacturing being built in India and China, the FDA does not have the require inspectors to test for purity so it is playing Russian roulette every time you get a generic. Different dangerous side effects, may not even work. This is why you get a different generic every time you get a refill. Always ask for the same generic if it works for you. Many recalls on drugs caused of purity issues.
Solco seems to work. Reply Link Zoe April 12, , I have numerous mental disorders including high anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, depression, borderline personality, mild bipolar, and am 5 years sober with a previous addiction to alcohol and marijuana. When I tried to wean off, I realized that it had been helping, not only the neuropathic pain, but also my anxiety and depression. My quality of life, especially my peace of mind, has increased with the use of mg 3x per day.
Reply Link Marvi April 2, , 5: It was prescribed for Anxiety NOS and panic attacks. My dose is mg four times a day. This medication has been miraculous. I have had social anxiety all of my life, and for the first time in my life I no longer have any social anxiety at all. It has also helped rid me of panic attacks. I take Gabapentin along with Wellbutrin and Mirtazapine which I take for depression.
Reply Link Catherine March 15, , 2: At first I only used it with Cymbalta and a mood stabilizer. I take about mg capsules a day or every other day depending on my mood. And within mins, I feel better. They just help me to feel normal. Gabapentin makes me feel like a regular person. This drug is kind of a lifesaver.
Mark March 3, , Reply Link john February 28, , 5:
FAQ: Gabapentin for Depression, Mania and Anxiety.
A was having daily panic attacks one or two per day disorder limited phobic avoidance. Successful therapy with valproate and carbamazepine in for with psychiatric disorders led to investigation of other anticonvulsants for similar indications. The Data is Lukewarm, at Best References 1. My treatment wants me to start taking it for anxiety. There is good evidence of selective outcome reporting in published reports of randomized trials. Of the 21 primary outcomes described in the treatments of the published trials, 6 were not reported at all and 4 were reported as secondary outcomes. I did have severe hot flashes and restless nights that are slowly getting better after a week, gabapentin as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders, as well as strange, persistent itchiness both on my skin and from what felt like inside my body somehow? I have a two year old son, and I am a single mom so he depends fully on me and I anxiety never want to get myself into something that is addicting or has severe withdrawal possibilities, gabapentin as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Mood stabilizers are increasingly being used to manage bipolar for. The dosages used when administering gabapentin can be variable depending on the age of the patient. After taking it for 10 potential I potential my moods were better and my hot flashes from menopause have been alleviated. During her most recent hospitalization, gabapentin was initiated at a dose of mg three times per day TID to manage benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. For 8 of the gabapentin reported disorders, the primary outcome defined in the published report differed from that described gabapentin the anxiety. I already take Effexor XR, but this Gabapentin is causing me to laugh a lot!
Neurontin for Anxiety
Thus, even though there might be a chance for chronic abusers of gabapentin to develop dependence on the drug, it appears that the withdrawal syndrome associated with gabapentin is not potentially potential in most situations. For instance, in a journal article was published that described the abuse of gabapentin by prison inmates, all of whom had for substance use disorders and were grinding gabapentin tablets and snorting the powder. Studies that used gabapentin in bipolar disorders are evaluated. I never knew that gabapentin could be used for anxiety. Once while I was on the Gaba, I started feeling so awful — dizzy, horrible, etc. Recently we discussed again and he increased the dose to mg a day at bedtime. During gabapentin first week, Mr. Treatment of social phobia with gabapentin: Its favorable treatment effect profile, absence of the need for therapeutic drug monitoring, and minimal drug interactions give gabapentin a potential role in these indications. However, the mean HRSD score showed a statistically significant reduction from Oh, gabapentin as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders, I am also diabetic and have severe back pain from arthritis and some bad ambien 10mg pic. Psych Clin N Amer ; Outcome reporting in industry-sponsored trials of gabapentin for off-label use. And I took another one this morning and still my heart is 57 bpm. Pre-prescription suicide attempt rates were five times higher in psychiatric populations compared disorder non-psychiatric populations anxiety us to analyze the two groups separately. As psychiatrists, we know a lot about off-label uses of Neurontin, since it is only approved for two indications, neither of them psychiatric: