Does your hand randomly start shaking before going to any event? Or do you feel anxious and overthink a lot? These might be the symptoms that you are experiencing anxiety disorder. Feeling anxious or nervous is pretty common nowadays. A study shows nearly 1 in 4 people face symptoms of anxiety every day. Almost 40% of adults are dealing with anxiety, so if you are facing anxiety issues and it has started affecting your day-to-day life, then you should ask for medical attention. Your doctor may ask you to take Gabapentin for anxiety. In this blog, we will discuss what is Gabapentin, what is anxiety, Gabapentin for anxiety as needed, and why you might be asked to take this medication.
Gabapentin For Anxiety: Effectiveness and Alternatives
What Is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is a medicine that is primarily used to treat seizures and nerve pain. Even if it is not approved by the FDA, some studies claim that gabapentin is also helpful for people with anxiety disorders. So some doctors prescribe this drug to lessen the effects of anxiety off-label. Gabapentin is a medicine that is sold under the brand name of Neurontin.
Gabapentin works by blocking the path of pain signals sent between he nerve and the brain. It slows down the pain and calms the nerves in order to get relief from the pain. Gabapentin replicates the effect of the GABA chemical that is produced naturally by our brain. GABA plays a huge role in reducing anxiety and panic attacks. As per some trustworthy studies, some researchers and doctors suggest gabapentin for treating anxiety and social panic, as it can help boost the GABA chemicals in our brain. It is only recommended for those on whom other treatments do not work.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural feeling of fear when you are worried about something that may happen in the future. It is a normal response when our brain faces any challenge, such as public speaking or giving an interview. But for the people dealing with anxiety disorder or social anxiety, the response can be more intense and will not go easily. If you are dealing with anxiety, then you must be facing these common symptoms;
- Never-ending nervousness
- Non-stop worrying
- Overthinking the future a lot
- Rapid increase in Heartbeat
- Fatigue
- Excessive sweating
- Dull concentration
Gabapentin For Anxiety
There have been no traces of official research on how Gabapentin is helpful for anxiety, but some surveys show that people taking Gabapentin medication for their general anxiety or severe anxiety are seen as less anxious, do not overthink as before, and have fewer depression symptoms. Gabapentin is very useful for those who have a fear of going out in public. It also helps people to sleep better, reducing the effects of insomnia, alcohol reduction in daily life, and less irritation.
Gabapentin Dosage for Anxiety
If you are prescribed Gabapentin to treat your anxiety, like every other medicine, you should take it with extra responsibility. You should take your medicine in the way it has been directed to you. Your dose of Gabapentin is dependent on your specific needs and how your body reacts to the particular dose. At the beginning of your treatment, your doctor will prescribe you with lower dose to check if it is helping to reduce the symptoms of anxiety or not, and if your body can adjust to the drug or not. If your body does not respond to the initial treatment, then your doctor may increase your dose. Gabapentin for anxiety dosage is available in both capsule and tablet form in different doses from 100mg to 800mg.
How Quickly Does Gabapentin Work For Anxiety?
You must be thinking about how long does it take Gabapentin to work for anxiety? It is important to understand that Gabapentin may work well for some and not for you. The effectiveness of the drug is different for each patient because of the amount of dose or level of anxiety. Generally, Gabapentin shows its effects in 3 weeks if used properly and regularly as directed. As we know, every system reacts differently to every medication; likewise, Gabapentin may differ and might show its effect before 3 weeks or may take more than 3 weeks. If you are trying to get a good result, then you must stay regular with the medications.
Alternatives to Gabapentin for Anxiety
Gabapentin is a drug to treat anxiety, but it is not the only medicine for anxiety treatment. If you are unable to take Gabapentin for your condition, then you can go for other alternatives available in the market. These options would be equally effective and give you the same result as Gabapentin. Let’s see what those are
Some natural alternatives to Gabapentin include
- Capsaicin
- Turmeric
- Lavender oil
- Lifestyle changes
- Excersie
- L-theanine
- Vitamins and Minerals
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I give my dog Gabapentin for anxiety?
Gabapentin is originally designed for humans to help with anxiety. Some vets suggest gabapentin for dogs off-label in rare cases where the dog is not responding to other medicines. Hence, you should not give your pet Gabapentin to ease anxiety without a vet’s supervision.
How to get prescribed Gabapentin for anxiety?
To get prescribed any medicine, you first need to contact your doctor and explain all the symptoms you are facing, which are causing you anxiety and stress in your body. After that, your doctor may prescribe you the medicine that is helpful for your current anxiety disorder. If your body does not respond to the medication provided to you by your doctor, then he may put you on Gabapentin for a short period of time if required.
Can Gabapentin be used for anxiety in the elderly?
Some doctors recommend Gabapentin to elderly people with less medical history who are healthy and active. It is less helpful in the case of people above 60, as people in this age group might be having kidney-related health conditions or digestive issues; these people may experience constipation, forget daily activities, or any serious health issues.
When to take Gabapentin for anxiety?
Gabapentin for anxiety is always taken in divided doses as it causes dizziness. It is better to take Gabapentin in the evening before you sleep. So that it helps you to sleep properly at night and is equally helpful in reducing anxiety levels. It is notable that Gabapentin should be taken at the same time every day.
The Bottom Line
In the end, we hope that you understood anxiety disorder is a natural but serious health condition nowadays. No one can tell you how much Gabapentin for anxiety is needed for you better than your doctor. In order to treat it properly, you should first visit your doctor with possible symptoms and then start your treatment with natural anxiety relief therapy or medication, which are actually beneficial for you, rather than using any medicine on your own.