Gabapentin for anxiety has been used in the treatment of anxiety disorders for many years. This is a novel benzodiazepine that is used to alleviate anxiety and panic attacks. It is taken up to twice per day. The drug is considered relatively non-habit forming.
ANCOVA is a clinically proven, low-dose combination of anticonvulsants to relieve the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study comparing 300mg gabapentin against 900mg gabapentin, subjects were categorized into four groups. Patients with pregabalin-resistant neuroleptic disorders were included in the study. Anxiety, mood, motor functions and sleep were evaluated using the Numeric Test, State-related Assessment Scale (SSA), Positive Cognitive Syndrome Scale (PCAS-R), and Neuropsychological Testing Scale (NTS).
Preliminary results from two placebo-controlled studies showed that gabapentin may be useful in the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. It was found to be better than benzodiazepines in reducing mental health problems and improving memory, but did not show effective results on patient with neurontinergic disorder and dysthymia. However, it is generally safe and well tolerated by most people. The nontraditional use of gabapentin may be associated with some serious side effects, such as headache, confusion, dizziness, sleepiness and upset stomach.
In spite of the fact that it is often taken to relieve pain due to muscular or skeletal conditions, gabapentin is also used in the treatment of nervous and psychiatric conditions. Gabapentin is mainly used for the relief of muscle spasms and neuralgia due to rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used to treat depression and nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Gabapentin is a powerful inhibitor of glycophorin amide transaminase (GAAT), which in turn prevents the breakdown of glycogen, the main source of energy for the brain. This results in reduced glucose levels and increased levels of acetylcholine, which in turn dampens the electrical signals of brain cells.
The study concluded that although gabapentin can reduce symptoms of anxiety in the long-term, its efficacy on relieving symptoms occurred only during the first four weeks of treatment. During this period, the number of patients experiencing a relapse was significantly lower compared to those who benefited from the medication. It should be noted that the subjects in the placebo arm had experienced significant worsening in mood, while the placebo group showed no significant change. During the five-month treatment period, the efficacy of the drug was still evident with a significant decline in the numbers of relapses detected. The researchers did not find any obvious side effects or complications in the patients. Gabapentin's safety profile makes it an ideal medication for generalized anxiety disorder.
A previous study by the scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that gabapentin is most effective when it is administered at the highest dose for the shortest possible time. For this reason, it is usually prescribed as a morning supplement. Gabapentin is regularly administered by gabapentin maintenance regimens consisting of a daily tablet or capsules. Gabapentin for anxiety works best when it is taken just before bedtime, as this is when it is the least potent. To maximize its efficacy, a regimen must be combined with an adequate amount of sleep.
