MINNEAPOLIS —The prodrug gabapentin enacarbil improves sleep, daytime function, and symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS), according to two pooled analyses presented at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies. The potential benefits of gabapentin for sleep must be carefully weighed against its risks and side effects. For those considering gabapentin as a sleep aid, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional who can provide personalized advice based on individual health history, sleep patterns, and specific sleep concerns. Most studies on gabapentin for sleep are in people who have sleep troubles due to other health conditions, like alcohol use disorder, restless leg syndrome, and fibromyalgia. One large meta-analysis of 26 studies and over 4,500 people found that gabapentin improved sleep in people with these conditions. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep-related neurological disorder that is characterized by the urge to move, worsening at rest, improvement with activity, and worsening in the evening and night. Dopamine agonists are usually the first-line therapy. The AASM also accredits 2,300 sleep centers that are providing the highest quality of sleep care across the country. 2024-11-13T08:26:23-06:00 November 13th, 2024 | Featured , Press Releases | Share This Story, Choose Your Platform! Gabapentin is available in various forms, including oral capsules, tablets, and oral solutions. It is commonly prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, postherpetic neuralgia, and restless leg syndrome. Indications. Gabapentin is commonly prescribed for the treatment of various conditions. Sleep. 2009;32(4):530–535. Crossref Google Scholar; 9. Ferri R, Fulda S, Manconi M, et al.. Night-to-night variability of periodic leg movements during sleep in restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder: comparison between the periodicity index and the PLMS index. Sleep Med. 2013;14(3):293–296. Crossref Google Scholar; 10. Preliminary evidence indicates that gabapentin can attenuate insomnia, bolster sleep quality, and increase total sleep duration. Moreover, gabapentin has been shown to increase slow-wave sleep (SWS), promote sleep maintenance, and decrease unwanted awakenings throughout the night. The AASM updates its clinical guideline for restless legs syndrome. It recommends against the most popular drugs. By Alyx Arnett. Dopamine agonists make up three of the four US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications for restless legs syndrome (RLS), and they are the most commonly prescribed drugs for RLS. 1 The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) now recommends against them. Gabapentin is one treatment option offered by doctors to not only help you fall asleep faster but stay asleep for a full night of rest – without those disruptive wakeups. How Does Gabapentin Help You Sleep? Gabapentin is a prescription anticonvulsant, a medication meant to stop or prevent seizures. This article explains what gabapentin is, its approved and off-label uses, and how the drug works to treat restless legs syndrome and other medical conditions. It also describes the possible side effects and risks and lists other drugs and treatments that may help ease RLS symptoms. Most studies show that gabapentin improves slow wave sleep (“deep sleep”) and total sleep time. Two small studies showed that gabapentin may help people with primary insomnia and occasional sleep disturbance improve total sleep time and wakefulness in the morning. Regardless the type of sleep outcomes, gabapentin showed stable efficacy in the treatment for sleep disturbance in patients with medical illness with a relatively high risk of treatment discontinuation and drug withdrawal when used at an average dose of approximately 1,800 mg/day. Research suggests that gabapentin may increase slow-wave sleep, also known as deep sleep, which is crucial for physical recovery and memory consolidation. This effect could be particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle to achieve restorative sleep due to pain or anxiety. Some studies have found that gabapentin may increase slow-wave sleep, also known as deep sleep, which is crucial for physical restoration and cognitive function. Additionally, it may reduce sleep fragmentation, leading to fewer nighttime awakenings and improved sleep continuity. Gabapentin enacarbil available under the trade name Horizant is the only gabapentin product approved for treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). A daily dose of 1200 mg provided no additional benefit compared with the 600 mg dose, but caused an increase in adverse reactions.
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