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Misssy2 · Jan 27, 2017, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xRavenx

Thanks, Misssy2 for your response. You brought up some good points. There always is that anticipation when it comes to trying a new medication and the anxiety associated with that. Luckily, my reaction to Gabapentin is not as extreme anymore. The rapid heart beat issue is no longer there. I did accidentally take it during the day (at work) since I had to call my pdoc to ask her whether she recommends it at night or day. I didn't feel terribly tired at work from it, but I felt a little 'different.' She told me switch to Gabapentin at night.

It's working out well now. It doesn't make me tired (it's definitely the Seroquel that knocks me out), but I can still see why the Gabapentin is best taken at night. I'm starting to feel the anti-anxiety effect and notice I don't need Klonopin as frequent as before, although the Klonopin is still needed.

I'm glad this is actually helping a little bit. I was skeptical at first, but my pdoc told me so many people do well with it. I think some of my skepticism was because Gabapentin was never FDA approved for Bipolar Disorder or Anxiety, so I often do not know how to feel about off-label meds. I'm glad I stuck with it and wonder in the future if it ever will be approved for mental health conditions.

I really DO think it will eventually be approved for anxiety, depression and insomnia and alcohol withdrawal. Because I did a little research and they have been running clinical trials on Gabapentin for the conditions I mentioned since 2013.

Pharmaceutical companies have a process to follow to get a drug approved by the FDA and it is a long process - 3-5 years. Their main goal is always to get the drug approved for the first intended purpose which in Gabapentin case they (the company that makes it) wanted it first approved as an anticonvulsant and they probably took the first 3-5 years proving to the FDA they had enough clinical trial information to prove that Gabapentin was effective for seizure conditions.

Remember #1 goal for Pharmaceuticals is to get a drug on the market ASAP to make money! Not waste time to research every condition it may help...Get it out there and then continue to gather info to prove it works for other indications to make MORE MONEY! And the biggest thing they have to prove for each indication is SAFETY, PURITY and EFFICACY. Is it safe? Is it pure (no other ingredients other than what has been presented to the FDA) and Is it effective for the said condition (with proof from clinical trials).

Like I said, I can see from Google that clinical trials have been occuring for other conditions and much information needs to be gathered to prove to the FDA that Gabapentin is effective for these other conditions and since it seems to be effective for so many OTHER conditions it is taking much longer for the company to gain approval (and get all their ***** together) to prove to the FDA this drug works for these things without harm.

I was surprised too when my Dr. prescribed this to me for sleep/anxiety. Because my sister was taking it for MS. I was also hesitant. But, working in the industry I know that many drugs do more than what they are originally patented for...so I went with it...and since Gabapentin is proved to be a safe drug overall...I don't have a problem taking it.