Gabapentin is frequently used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. However, there are no randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of this medication in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and there are only a few case reports. We present a case of a 59-year-old female with a psychiatric h Gabapentin isn’t usually used to treat anxiety alone. More often, it’s given to ease anxiety symptoms for someone who also has depression or bipolar disorder. (Anxiety is commonly comorbid Previously presumed to have a low abuse and misuse potential, gabapentin has been commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders. 10,11 While pregabalin has shown efficacy for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in two RCTs, 12,13 the authors could find no such RCTs done for gabapentin. 9 One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controll In this review, the author examines the evidence for psychopharmacologic treatments among adults for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder derived from clinical trials. For each disorder, major categories of drugs are reviewed, and then the evidence-based medications in each category are discussed. The author reviews key safety and tolerability Recent research indicates that gabapentin has proven to be an effective treatment for anxiety sufferers. Nevertheless, there are few case reports and no randomized controlled trials regarding this medication’s efficacy in treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). A small randomized, controlled trial suggested that adjunctive gabapentin accelerates therapeutic response to fluoxetine in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. 32 In a randomized, controlled trial of 420 breast cancer survivors with nonspecific anxiety symptoms, 8 weeks of treatment with gabapentin 300 mg produced significant For these reasons, gabapentin has been embraced as a possible treatment for anxiety disorders. Anxiety is a common mental health challenge that features an outsized response to feeling threatened or afraid. The fear response is out of proportion to the actual threat, resulting in a rush of stress hormone production. Gabapentin is frequently used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. However, there are no randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of this medication in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and there are only a few case reports. Is gabapentin a good option for treating anxiety disorders? This is what research says and why caution is important. There is mounting evidence that Gabapentin may be an effective intervention for various types of anxiety including: generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Gabapentin for Anxiety Disorders: The Research. There is considerable research documenting the efficacy and safety of Gabapentin for anxiety disorders. Gabapentin may be effective for anxiety, but it’s usually not a first-choice medication for this use. Other medications have been studied more for anxiety, and they’re typically tried first. The recommended gabapentin dosage for anxiety and other conditions can range from 300 mg to 3,600 mg per day. Preclinical data suggest the potential anxiolytic effect of gabapentin ().Recently, Beauclair et al. reported reduction in anxiety symptoms and syndromes in 18 patients with primary psychotic disorders and in one patient with generalized anxiety disorder treated adjunctively with gabapentin, 200–1800 mg/day. Gabapentin is thought to work by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA helps regulate anxiety and stress responses in the brain, so increasing levels can cause a calming effect, reducing feelings of anxiety and promoting relaxation. Whether you’re already taking gabapentin for an anxiety disorder or are curious if you might benefit from it, you may be wondering how effective it is, how it works, and if there are side effects. Here we’ll cover everything you need to know about gabapentin for anxiety. In recent years, gabapentin has gained attention for its potential role in managing anxiety disorders, particularly for individuals who do not respond well to traditional anxiety medications like SSRIs or benzodiazepines. Gabapentin appears to have some benefit for anxiety disorders but failed to show benefit in bipolar disorder trials. In the individual patient with a mixed psychiatric disorder, benefits are most likely due to anxiolytic effects.
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