Gabapentin for Sleep and Anxiety: What You Need to Know
Gabapentin is also known as neurontin. It is a widely prescribed medication/ drug in psychology and neurology. This medication plays a critical role in increasing slow-wave sleep among patients with anxiety and sleep disorder. Gabapentin provides a safe and effective way to treat insomnia and anxiety.
In psychology, gabapentin is prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and alcohol dependence. This medication helps in the treatment of seizures, migraines, neuropathic pain, and restless leg syndrome. Also, gabapentin is helpful for fibromyalgia, teeth-grinding, and hot flashes. It is available in generic and branded forms. Read on to find out everything you need to know about gabapentin.
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What Are the Benefits of Gabapentin?
Gabapentin for sleep and anxiety comes with many health benefits such as:
- Can improve your sleep quality by simply increasing slow-wave sleep
- Treats moderate to severe rest leg syndrome
- It’s not among the controlled substances
- Comes with a wide safety margin
- Doesn’t cause respiratory depression
- Has fewer drug interactions than other medications
- Can’t be metabolized by your liver
- Used with other drugs to control or prevent seizures
- Can relieve nerve pain following shingles in adults
How Much Gabapentin Should I Take to Sleep?
If you are struggling to get some sleep or stay asleep for about seven hours, it can be a symptom of insomnia. You may experience the same problem when you briefly wake up and fail to get back to sleep. Also, experiencing multiple wakeups, especially during the night is a sure hallmark of insomnia. To overcome this problem, you need to visit a doctor for a diagnosis. Most likely, your doctor will prescribe you gabapentin for sleep. Gabapentin for primary insomnia will help you fall asleep quickly and even enjoy deep sleep for long hours. Most doctors prescribe around 100-400 milligrams of gabapentin medication to help those with sleep disorders. This gabapentin maximum dosage for sleep has to be taken once per day just before you go to bed.
At the beginning of your treatment, the doctor can start off with lower doses and gradually adjust to higher doses with time. Always follow your doctor’s instructions and prescription as written when taking gabapentin drugs. Also, don’t change your dosage without consulting with your doctor.
When to Take Gabapentin for Sleep and Anxiety?
The most appropriate time to take gabapentin for sleep and anxiety is around 09:00 pm or just before your usual bedtime. Once you take this medication you will feel relaxed and calmed before falling asleep.
How Long Does Gabapentin Take to Work for Sleep?
Gabapentin medication can take a few hours to induce sleep. As explained earlier, this drug improves deep sleep or slow-wave sleep, making you fall asleep shortly. Typically, it takes an average of 15 minutes to start feeling the characteristic calming effects followed by drowsiness and eventually getting to sleep. Remember to take this medication according to your doctor’s instructions for better results.
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Does Gabapentin Help You Go to Sleep?
Yes! researchers say that taking the right gabapentin dosage for sleep and anxiety can improve slow-wave sleep. They suggest that this medication can help you achieve a deeper sleep during the night, thereby increasing your sleep time. Gabapentin takes a few hours to fully kick in.
Does Gabapentin Take Time to Work for Anxiety?
It may take a few weeks for gabapentin to achieve its maximum effect on patients with anxiety. However, the time may vary considerably depending on the severity of your condition. The gabapentin maximum dosage for anxiety can as well take different times to work depending on the person taking it.
What Other Types of Drugs Interact with Gabapentin?
You may experience serious breathing problems after taking gabapentin along with medications that cause decreased awareness or severe sleepiness. Examples of these medications include:
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Anti-anxiety medicines
- Some medicines for seizures
- Medicines for stomach upsets
- Local and general anesthetics
- Narcotic pain medicines
What Are the Side Effects of Gabapentin?
Just like any other medication, gabapentin has its own side effects. They include:
- Allergic reactions
- Changes in your mood or behavior
- Symptoms of liver abnormalities
- Symptoms of kidney abnormalities
- Feeling tired
- Weight gain
- Fever
- Headache
- Difficulty eating
- Memory loss
- Dizziness
- Recurring infections
Final Thoughts
According to studies, gabapentin is both safe and highly effective in treating a wide range of FDA-approved and off-label ailments and conditions. Speaking of conditions, gabapentin is used to treat seizures, nerve pain, anxiety, insomnia, and fibromyalgia. Taking prescribed gabapentin can significantly improve sleep quality among insomniacs.
For more information regarding the use and dosage of gabapentin, contact us at Mango Clinic today to schedule your appointments with licensed doctors. Mango Clinic offers professional treatment for anxiety and insomnia conveniently and thoroughly. Doctors at the clinic take a more conservative approach that involves diagnosing your symptoms and providing the most appropriate treatment for your condition.