{"id":630996,"date":"2025-01-10T15:39:12","date_gmt":"2025-01-10T20:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630996"},"modified":"2025-10-08T11:34:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T15:34:40","slug":"gabapentin-for-bipolar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/gabapentin-for-bipolar\/","title":{"rendered":"Gabapentin for bipolar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gabapentin<\/span><\/a>, known by the brand name <\/span>Neurontin<\/span><\/a>, is a drug that’s sometimes prescribed for uses beyond what it’s approved for. For example, although it\u2019s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat seizures and nerve pain, it may be prescribed off-label for chronic muscle pain (fibromyalgia), generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol withdrawal, among other uses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While some researchers suggest gabapentin may help with <\/span>bipolar disorder<\/span><\/a>, the truth is a bit more complicated. It is not FDA approved for treating mood disorders like bipolar disorder, and studies on its effectiveness for this condition have been largely inconclusive. In fact, much of the push for using gabapentin for bipolar disorder is based on aggressive marketing tactics from the manufacturer, Pfizer, which eventually led to legal action against them.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does gabapentin work for bipolar?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Gabapentin is a prescription drug that belongs to a class of medications called <\/span>anticonvulsants<\/span><\/a>. This medication, along with another drug called pregabalin, is further classified as a gabapentinoid. In other words, it\u2019s similar in structure to a natural chemical in the brain called GABA, which plays a role in calming nerve activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabapentin helps manage nerve pain from <\/span>shingles<\/span><\/a> and prevents seizures by affecting how nerve signals are sent in the body, specifically by blocking certain calcium channels in nerve cells. For seizures, it\u2019s typically prescribed as an adjunctive therapy or an additional treatment that works together with other medications to help control seizures better.<\/span><\/p>\n

Research indicates that people with bipolar disorder have <\/span>increased calcium activity<\/span><\/a> in specific cells, suggesting that calcium channels are involved in the condition. Gabapentin is thought to target these calcium channels to help lower the release of certain brain chemicals that lead to mood swings. Although researchers have seen how gabapentin works in both animals and people with conditions like pain and epilepsy, there is still not enough evidence to show that it\u2019s effective for treating bipolar disorder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Benefits and drawbacks of gabapentin for bipolar disorder<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some healthcare providers may prescribe gabapentin for bipolar disorder due to potential perceived benefits. While some people may experience positive effects, there can also be negative effects or side effects to consider.<\/span><\/p>\n

Potential benefits of gabapentin for bipolar disorder<\/span><\/h3>\n

Gabapentin may help people with bipolar disorder in some ways by improving mental health symptoms like irritability, social withdrawal, and anxiety. It may also <\/span>help with insomnia<\/span><\/a> due to its sedative effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The drug also has a relatively safe side effect profile compared to other medications. It also doesn’t interact with many other drugs, which may be helpful for people on multiple medications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Disadvantages of gabapentin for bipolar disorder<\/span><\/h3>\n

The evidence for gabapentin in bipolar disorder is limited. It hasn\u2019t been found to be better than a placebo for acute mania, and multiple studies have shown gabapentin to be ineffective for bipolar disorder overall. In addition, adjunctive gabapentin is often used alongside other medications, which means that any benefits people notice could actually be due to those other drugs instead of gabapentin itself. This might raise doubts about how well gabapentin works as monotherapy or on its own.<\/span><\/p>\n

One <\/span>systematic review<\/span><\/a> looked at six randomized controlled trials and 13 open-label trials to determine the effectiveness of gabapentin and pregabalin for the treatment of bipolar disorder. The findings showed these medications likely do not provide significant benefits for managing bipolar disorder, especially during manic episodes. Many of the studies had small sample sizes and included flawed trial designs, which may have affected the reliability of the results.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s relatively safe to use, gabapentin may still cause side effects. Therefore, the medication\u2019s drawbacks may outweigh the potential benefits for some people.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

There is no official dosage of gabapentin for bipolar disorder since this is an off-label use. However, for its <\/span>FDA-approved uses<\/span><\/a> like postherpetic neuralgia, the typical starting dosage is 300 mg on day one, increasing to 600 mg on day two and 900 mg on day three. The dosage can be increased up to 1,800 mg per day if needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For treating epilepsy with partial onset seizures, adults and children 12 years and older usually start with 300 mg taken three times a day, which can be increased to 600 mg. For children ages 3\u201311 years, the starting dose is based on weight, typically between 10\u201315 mg per kilogram per day, divided into three doses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabapentin dosage in studies on bipolar disorder<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some studies on gabapentin for bipolar disorder have tested dosages ranging from <\/span>600\u20133,600 mg per day<\/span><\/a>. However, gabapentin was often given alongside other medications like Eskalith (lithium) or Depakene (valproate or valproic acid). A few clinical trials also studied dosages of up to 4,800 mg daily. Still, research has not shown clear benefits for bipolar symptoms at any dosage level.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dosage of gabapentin for bipolar disorder will depend on a healthcare provider\u2019s instructions and expertise. Typically, treatment begins with a low dose, which may be gradually increased until the desired effects are achieved. In any case, it could take a few weeks to experience any potential benefits of gabapentin for bipolar disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabapentin side effects, warnings, and interactions with other bipolar drugs<\/span><\/h2>\n

Gabapentin can cause several side effects, many of which are mild and temporary. However, some side effects may be severe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Common <\/span>side effects of gabapentin<\/span><\/a> include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n