{"id":628714,"date":"2024-06-26T10:08:42","date_gmt":"2024-06-26T14:08:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628714"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:53:20","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:53:20","slug":"gabapentin-for-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/gabapentin-for-depression\/","title":{"rendered":"Does gabapentin help with depression?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gabapentin<\/span><\/a>, a prescription drug, is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures and also helps treat nerve pain for people with conditions such as shingles or restless leg syndrome. <\/span><\/p>\n

In recent years, some doctors have begun prescribing gabapentin to also treat depression, but is this the best course of treatment? Keep reading as we dive into whether gabapentin is a good choice to treat depression.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does gabapentin help with depression?<\/span><\/h2>\n

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not approve Gabapentin for depression and is not typically prescribed by psychiatrists to treat depression,” said Dr. Ozan Toy, MD, MPH and Chief Medical Officer at <\/span>Telapsychiatry<\/span><\/a>. He further explained why this medication is not a good option: “Gabapentin could worsen depression symptoms as a side effect of the medication, particularly when anxiety is present.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabapentin is not an <\/span>antidepressant<\/span><\/a>. It is unusual for providers to administer gabapentin for depression, with only a small portion of healthcare providers opting for this course of treatment. <\/span><\/p>\n

“Approximately 5% of gabapentin prescriptions are prescribed <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> to treat depression,” explained <\/span>Dr. Sandra Quinn<\/span><\/a>, MD and Medical Director of Adult Outpatient Services and Adult Interventional Psychiatrist at <\/span>PrairieCare<\/span><\/a>. “Gabapentin is only FDA-approved for the treatment of seizures and postherpetic neuralgia.”<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2022, <\/span>Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience<\/span><\/a> published a study about the psychiatric uses of gabapentin. The literature review found that while gabapentin use had been found to treat alcohol withdrawal and alcohol use disorder along with some cases of social anxiety disorder and severe panic disorder, it was not supported in those with <\/span>bipolar disorder<\/span><\/a>, major depressive disorder (<\/span>MDD<\/span><\/a>), posttraumatic stress disorder (<\/span>PTSD<\/span><\/a>), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (<\/span>OCD<\/span><\/a>). <\/span><\/p>\n

England’s Addictive Behaviors journal also looked into gabapentin and the treatment of mental health conditions in 2021. The study explains that gabapentinoids, which include gabapentin and pregabalin, have some overlap in action with benzodiazepines used to treat anxiety, and like benzodiazepines, gabapentin can become addictive but typically doesn’t work any better than the placebo group. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately, the Addictive Behaviors journal did not support the use of gabapentin for mental health treatment with <\/span>the conclusion<\/span><\/a>, “The use of gabapentinoids off-label for other psychiatric conditions should also be re-considered. In general, psychotropic medications require longer-term efficacy and safety studies before allowing widespread use.”<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What causes depression? Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How does gabapentin work for depression?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Gabapentin belongs to a class of drugs called <\/span>anticonvulsants<\/span><\/a> and may be sold under the brand name <\/span>Gralise<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Horizant<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>Neuraptine<\/span><\/a>. The prescription medication reduces the brain’s abnormal electrical activity and blocks pain messages in the brain and spine, which explains how it helps treat seizure disorders and alleviates nerve pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neither of these known processes is likely to help with depression.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabapentin dosage for depression<\/span><\/h2>\n

“Gabapentin has a wide dosage range, depending on what it treats,” explained Dr. Quinn. “Doses range from 100 mg to 3600 mg total daily, divided 1-3 times daily.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabapentin doses<\/span><\/a> may vary based on whether they’re treating seizures, nerve pain, or other off-label uses. Pediatric doses for children will vary based on weight. For adults or anyone taking gabapentin, dosing should start on the low end and be adjusted to higher doses as needed since <\/span>some studies<\/span><\/a> have shown gabapentin can have addictive qualities. Because of this, it’s also important to tell your doctor if you have a substance use disorder or an alcohol use disorder that may make you more susceptible to addiction.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Dosing adjustments may be necessary for older adult patients mainly due to the risk of sedation and the possibility of confusion or dizziness,” added Dr. Toy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabapentin side effects and interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Like any prescription medication, there are possible <\/span>side effects from gabapentin<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>interactions<\/span><\/a> with other prescription drugs a person may take. Some of these side effects may vary and worsen in <\/span>older adults<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects<\/span><\/h3>\n

The most common side effects and adverse effects of gabapentin include:<\/span><\/p>\n