Anticonvulsants are drugs administered to treat seizures or epileptic fits. These meds are known to suppress erratic firing of nerve cells. Key chemicals also help in preventing progression of fits inside your brain. There are many sub-genres under this class of meds. Of these, a sub-genre called gabapentinoids inhibit calcium-channels. Drugs in this genre include mirogabalin, pregabalin, gabapentin, etc. But, is gabapentin used for anxiety or how to take gabapentin for anxiety as needed to manage your health condition? It is worth it to have needful inputs.
Seizures or convulsions are of many types; of which, partial or focal seizures initially affect one part of your brain. Convulsions in a frontal lobe can make you witness a wave kind of feeling. But when convulsions show up in a temporal lobe you get a sense of déjà vu. Parietal lobe-related seizures cause a tingling or numbing sensation. On the other hand, fits in occipital lobe cause weird thoughts or disturbances.
Meds forming part of a genre called antiepileptic meds or anticonvulsants are used for treating epileptic fits. However, not much is known on how these meds work. In a few animal-based studies, some types of anticonvulsants are known to have caused cell-level disturbances, especially cells of your nervous system.
What is gabapentin?
This is an antiseizure medication prescribed for treating partial seizures, restless legs syndrome as well as painful nerve conditions caused by shingles. Those who have respiratory conditions like asthma or bronchial asthma are advised to take needful caution. This med can slow down your respiratory cycles, and may also make you dizzy.
Gabapentin
It is a safe thing to discuss with your caregiver about prior occurrences of breathing conditions, mood-related disorders like depression, prior episodes of substance abuse, renal disorders or diabetes. Women who are pregnant must talk to their physician of the likely risks on fetus.
Gabapentin dose for sleep and anxiety
This anticonvulsant is often used for treating anxieties. Your caregiving team is likely to prescribe it for a month or more to assess the outcomes. In general, studies done on gabapentin indicate that intake of this drug for 4 – 5 weeks is needed to yield some relief from anxiety and sleeplessness. Outcomes tend to improve further when dosages are continued for more than 7 weeks.
How quickly does gabapentin work for anxiety?
Gabapentin starts working in ~2.5 hours from the time of dose. But you tend to see the fullest potential of this med only after a few weeks. In some cases, users have had to wait for more than 6 weeks to get needful results. Time needed by gabapentin also depends on strength of dosage as well as how your system responds.
Gabapentin dosage for anxiety
Typical dose hovers ~ 300 milligrams (mg). Strength is gradually increased to 600 mg or up to 900 mg based on your anxiety levels. There have been some instances wherein dosage per day has reached more than 1200 mg.
It is unsafe to change the strength of your doses without informing the treating physician. Your renal health plays a vital role in determining the dosage value. Those with kidney diseases are recommended to take a lesser strength all through your medication plan.
It can be harmful to take gabapentin for anxiety through the OTC route. Instead, ensure to follow the medication plan issued by a certified caregiving professional. Also, it is equally important to consult your doctor while your are planning to stop this drug. Sudden or an abrupt stop can lead to withdrawal effects like sleeplessness, drop in appetite level, severe spells of headache, respiratory disorders like wheezing, panting, etc.
If you are experiencing diarrhea or discharge of loose stools, blurring of vision, slurring of speech, etc., seek medical help; these can be signs on an overdose. It is always a good thing to seek inputs from a doctor about gabapentin dosage for anxiety.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Michigan. Experience: Over 8 years of experience writing for health and wellness websites, including WebMD and Healthline, specializing in women’s health and nutrition.
