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Psychiatric Uses of Gabapentin
Jon C Martin1, Danielle Gainer2
1Dr. Martin is with Wright Patterson Medical Center in Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience
|October 7, 2022
Summary
Gabapentin is effective for alcohol withdrawal and alcohol use disorder, and as a third-line treatment for social anxiety and panic disorders. However, evidence does not support its use for other psychiatric conditions, with risks highest for those with substance use history.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication with emerging psychiatric applications.
- Understanding its evidence-based psychiatric uses and risks is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence supporting psychiatric uses of gabapentin.
- To identify associated risks and contraindications for gabapentin treatment.
Main Methods:
- Conducted an extensive literature review.
- Focused on PubMed-searchable articles concerning gabapentin's psychiatric applications, safety, and adverse effects.
Main Results:
- Gabapentin is supported for alcohol withdrawal and alcohol use disorder.
- Sufficient evidence exists for third-line use in social anxiety and severe panic disorders.
- Evidence does not support gabapentin for bipolar disorder, MDD, PTSD, OCD, stimulant use disorder, or opioid withdrawal.
- Highest risks are observed in patients with a history of substance use disorder or concurrent opioid use.
Conclusions:
- Gabapentin has a defined role in treating specific psychiatric conditions.
- Its use is not supported for numerous other psychiatric diagnoses, necessitating careful patient selection.
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