According to a 2015 systematic review, researchers aren’t clear on how gabapentin treats psychiatric disorders, but it appears the drug works similarly to other anti-anxiety medications. Gabapentin’s ability to calm nerve activity in the brain makes it a valuable tool for treating a wide range of psychiatric disorders. Although gabapentin is not officially approved for these uses, healthcare providers often prescribe it to address specific symptoms that other medications may not target effectively. The next step was to read all of this article’s references. 2-6 Surprisingly, all 5 references focused on the relationship of gabapentin with the use of opioids or in the treatment of pain, with no mention of the common off-label use of gabapentin in various psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and insomnia. Hence, I embarked on a literature Gabapentin may be helpful in treating alcohol use disorder and withdrawal. Between 2004 and 2010, The Veterans Affairs Department conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized dose ARTICLES Outpatient Off-Label Gabapentin Use for Psychiatric Indications Among U.S. Adults, 2011 –2016 Brianna Costales, B.S., and Amie J. Goodin, Ph.D., M.P.P. Objective: Gabapentin is commonly used off-label in the treatment of psychiatric disorders with success, failure, and controversy. A systematic review of the literature was performed to elucidate the evidence for clinical benefit of gabapentin in psychiatric disorders. Objective: This article reviews evidence-based psychiatric uses of gabapentin, along with associated risks. Method of Research: An extensive literature review was conducted, primarily of articles searchable in PubMed, relating to psychiatric uses, safety, and adverse effects of gabapentin. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant approved by the FDA for use as an add-on agent in patients with partial seizures resistant to conventional therapies. 4 It is an attractive agent due to flexibility in changing doses, a high therapeutic index, and lack of need to monitor serum levels. 5 As such, gabapentin has been the focus of much attention in t Evidence supports gabapentin as a treatment for alcohol withdrawal and alcohol use disorder. There is sufficient evidence to consider gabapentin as a third-line treatment for social anxiety disorder and severe panic disorder. Gabapentin is commonly used off-label in the treatment of psychiatric disorders with success, failure, and controversy. A systematic review of the literature was performed to elucidate the evidence for clinical benefit of gabapentin in psychiatric disorders. Abstract. Objective: This article reviews evidence-based psychiatric uses of gabapentin, along with associated risks. Method of Research: An extensive literature review was conducted, primarily of articles searchable in PubMed, relating to psychiatric uses, safety, and adverse effects of gabapentin. G abapentin was originally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of partial seizures in 1993, 1,2 with subsequent approval for postherpetic neuralgia in 2002. 3–5 Within a decade of initial FDA approval, gabapentin’s second most common use became off-label prescription for psychiatric disorders. 6 Systematic reviews of gabapentin treatment in psychiatric and/or substance use disorders showed inconclusive evidence for efficacy in BD, but possible efficacy for some anxiety disorders [9, 10 High concomitant use of CNS-D drugs and off-label gabapentin for psychiatric diagnoses underlines the need for improved communication about safety. Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant medication, has a long history of being prescribed off label for various indications, including psychiatric indications. Another study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry examined the use of gabapentin as an adjunctive treatment for bipolar disorder and found that it was effective in reducing manic symptoms. Despite these positive findings, it is important to note that gabapentin is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. GBP has shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of alcohol dependence. However, the literature suggests that GBP is effective as an adjunctive medication rather than a monotherapy. More clinical trials with larger patient populations are needed to support gabapentin’s off-label use in psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders.
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