Gabapentin for Anxiety: Uses, Dosage, and Side Effects

How To Use Gabapentin For Anxiety

When taken with other medicines, gabapentin can help stop and control seizures. It is also used to ease the nerve pain after shingles, a painful rash caused by a herpes zoster infection, mostly in adults. This medicine falls into the category of anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs.

To take gabapentin by mouth, do the following: Before you start taking gabapentin and every time you get a refill, read the Medication Guide and, if possible, the Patient Information Leaflet that your pharmacy gives you carefully. Feel free to ask your doctor or chemist any questions you may have.

You can take this medicine by mouth as your doctor tells you, with or without food. The dose is chosen based on your health state and your response to treatment. For kids, the amount is also based on how much they weigh.

Following these steps is what you should do if your doctor tells you to split the tablets in half and take the other half at your next planned dose. If you don’t use a half-tablet within a few days, throw it away. When taking capsules, make sure you take them whole with a lot of water.

It is imperative to follow your doctor’s dose strictly. During the first part of your treatment, your doctor may slowly raise your dose to give your body time to get used to the drug. Take the first dose before bed to lessen the chance of side effects.

Side-Effects of Gabapentin For Anxiety

The following side effects may occur: drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, constipation, or dry mouth. If these symptoms persist or worsen, promptly inform your doctor or pharmacist. To alleviate dry mouth, consider sucking on sugarless hard candy or ice chips, chewing sugarless gum, hydrating with water, or using a saliva substitute.

Your doctor has prescribed this medication because they’ve determined that its benefits outweigh the risk of side effects. Many individuals using this medication don’t experience severe side effects. Notify your doctor immediately if you experience severe side effects such as mental/mood changes (e.g., restlessness, confusion, hallucinations), tremors, or difficulty urinating.

While rare, a severe allergic reaction to this medication may occur. Seek immediate medical assistance if you notice symptoms such as rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or breathing difficulties.

Gabapentin For Anxiety Warnings

Before initiating gabapentin, inform your physician or pharmacist of any allergies to gabapentin, enacarbil, or other allergies. Inactive ingredients in this product might provoke allergic reactions or other complications. For further information, consult your pharmacist.

• Before using this medication, share your medical history with your doctor or pharmacist, particularly if you have an account of kidney disease, mental or mood disorders (such as depression or thoughts of suicide), or a history of substance use or alcohol abuse. Individuals with breathing issues like COPD should also provide this information.
• This medication may induce dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. Alcohol or marijuana use can exacerbate these effects, causing increased dizziness or drowsiness. Refrain from driving, operating machinery, or engaging in activities requiring alertness or clear vision until you are confident in your capability. Limit alcoholic beverages and discuss marijuana use with your doctor.
• Before any surgical procedures, inform your doctor or dentist of all medications you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal products.
• Older adults may be more susceptible to the side effects of gabapentin. They may experience increased sensitivity to symptoms such as swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet, shallow or slow breathing, dizziness, or loss of coordination. Increased dizziness and coordination problems can heighten the risk of falling.

Gabapentin For Anxiety Interactions

Drug interactions can change how your medicines work or make it more likely that you will have serious side effects. This paper doesn’t cover all possible drug interactions. Keep a complete record of everything you use, such as herbal supplements, prescriptions, and over-the-counter medicines, and make sure your doctor and chemist see this record. You should not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without first talking to your doctor.

Take this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or have breathing problems. You may more likely experience serious side effects like slow or shallow breathing, extreme sleepiness, or dizziness. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are also taking alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), muscle relaxants (like carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), antihistamines (like cetirizine, diphenhydramine), or opioid painkillers (like codeine, hydrocodone).

Read the labels on all of your medicines, even allergic or cold medicines, because some of them may contain ingredients that make you sleepy. Talk to your pharmacist to ensure that using these items with your medicine is safe.