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Anxiety disorder is a tough mental health problem to live with even after you talk to a therapist and psychiatrist and begin your treatment – it is often difficult to predict how certain prescription drugs will affect your psyche, and many patients are worried about the potential side effects that may counteract the treatment they really hoped for.
Xanax and Gabapentin are often prescribed to patients diagnosed with chronic anxiety – in this article we will discover the difference between these two medications, learn more about their adverse effects and substance interactions, and figure out how you and your psychiatrist can pick the right medication to alleviate your symptoms.
Understanding Gabapentin and Xanax
Xanax – also known as Alprazolam – is a prescription medication whose main function is to help patients with anxiety, agoraphobia, and panic disorder. Gabapentin is a more versatile drug – it is prescribed to patients with diabetes, epilepsy, and shingles while also treating the symptoms of a severe panic disorder and social anxiety disorder.
Gabapentin vs Xanax: what is the right choice? A medical provider will prescribe Xanax if their patient experiences acute anxiety or severe panic attacks, if the latter individual requires quick relief from various manifestations of anxiety, and if there is a specific diagnosis that warrants the use of Xanax. Gabapentin, on the other hand, is typically prescribed by physicians who will pick this drug to help patients with nerve pain triggered by shingles and diabetes as well as people who are currently treated for seizures.
Note that in both cases, you should talk to a doctor about the addiction potential of both medications – if you had to overcome addiction in the past, you need to be careful with any prescription drug in the future.
Mechanisms of Action
Xanax belongs to the class of drugs called benzodiazepines and it will enhance the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid – a brain chemical responsible for the reduction of brain activity and promotion of calmness. When this acid is activated, there is a relaxing and calming effect that will prevent a panic attack and lessen the symptoms of anxiety.
Gabapentin affects the same neurotransmitter in your brain – it will slow down your brain neurons, decrease your pain, and adjust the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in your brain.
Common Uses and Conditions Treated
Gabapentin Indications
Gabapentin is often prescribed to patients diagnosed with epilepsy – it is one of the anticonvulsants approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is highly beneficial when it comes to neural pain management as well as anxiety treatment despite the fact that this medication is not typically the number one choice for psychiatrists and their patients.
If the patient continues to have partial seizures, experiences nerve pain caused by shingles, or cannot cope with the restless leg syndrome, Gabapentin can prevent and control these symptoms and physical manifestations of their health condition.
Xanax Indications
The main purpose of Xanax is to treat anxiety disorder whether it occurred on its own or was caused by depression. Additionally, psychiatrists prescribe this medication to people who experience frequent panic attacks or live with phobias. This is a perfect solution for people who struggle to control overwhelming fear and anxiety no matter the circumstances.
Side Effects and Safety Concerns
Gabapentin vs Xanax: what should a patient worry about? Let us take a look at the most common side effects of these medications:
| Xanax | Gabapentin | |
| Adverse Effects | Prolonged Xanax use often leads to hypotension, coordination problems, cognitive decline, dizziness, inability to concentrate, and gastrointestinal issues | When you take Gabapentin for a long time, you may experience a lack of coordination, become more clumsy than usual, feel sleepy and unable to think straight, and deal with vision problems |
| Additional Risks for Safety | Xanax is associated with a high probability of misuse, abuse, and lasting addiction – all these issues may lead to overdose and even a fatal outcome if the patient does not follow the instructions of the doctor or obtains Xanax for recreational use | From respiratory problems to allergic reactions, from altered mental status to slurred speech – the problems Gabapentin may cause may look scary even when you are warned about the potential issues |
Drug Interactions and Risks
Your medical provider will tell you what medications should be avoided whether you are prescribed Xanax or Gabapentin but just in general you should be careful not to mix these drugs with tranquilizers, opioids, anti-seizure medications, and antibiotics – the side effects of these drug interactions vary from respiratory depression to death so it is better to exercise caution.
Xanax will enhance the sedative effects of alcohol, impair your coordination when you drink, and make you more dizzy and drowsy. There is a similar effect when you mix alcohol and Gabapentin – you may get very sleepy and dizzy which is a dangerous condition especially if you drink alcoholic beverages in an unsafe place.
Choosing the Right Medication
You and the medical professional who treats you will decide what type of medication can benefit you. Let us take a closer look at the process of choosing the appropriate prescription drug that can improve your physical and mental wellness:
| Stage | Description |
| Communication With a Medical Provider | Remember not to hide anything from a physician or psychiatrist – you need to let them know if you had any side effects to similar medications in the past, disclose current health conditions you are dealing with, and share your goals for treatment to give them enough information to work with |
| Medication Choice | Whether you end up taking Xanax or Gabapentin, the drug in question needs to address specific symptoms and be safe and effective at the same time so your age and overall health will play a role in the decision-making process |
| Analyzing the Prescription | Once you know what medication to take, you have to obtain the dosage guidelines and ask questions about potential side effects if there is anything you are not certain about |
| Follow-Up Evaluation | If there are adverse effects, bring them up during the next appointment or schedule one right away if certain symptoms are too severe for you to handle so that the psychiatrist or physician can adjust the dosage and track your progress |
Get Guidance at Pacific Coast Mental Health
Dealing with any kind of mental or physical health issue that results in medication management is not an easy task especially when you remember how many people experience medication side effects that put their health and lives at risk. If you want to feel confident about the prescription medication or manage the aftermath of prescription drug administration, you can undergo therapy that will give you a chance to discuss your grievances.
Contact Pacific Coast Mental Health today – together we can create a treatment plan for you to keep you healthy and emotionally stable and guide you towards the wellness you deserve.
FAQs
What are the main uses of Gabapentin compared to Xanax in treating anxiety and other conditions?
Gabapentin is rarely prescribed for anxiety disorder but it can be quite effective for some patients especially if they also need to deal with chronic pain and put an end to seizures. Xanax is a more popular choice despite the possibility of withdrawal and dependence but its efficiency for people with mood disorders cannot be disputed.
How do the side effects of Gabapentin differ from those of Xanax, and what should users be aware of?
Xanax is a sedative so you should be ready for fatigue, drowsiness, disruption of sleep patterns, and rebound anxiety. Gabapentin will cause vision changes, drowsiness, and cognitive impairment. As for the difference between these two medications, Xanax is more addictive and the withdrawal is much more severe so you should take that into account when discussing prescription drugs with your medical provider.
What is the recommended dosage for Gabapentin versus Xanax for managing anxiety symptoms?
You should take Xanax three times a day – the dosage varies from 0.25 milligrams to 0.5 milligrams. As for Gabapentin, the treatment begins with a dose of 100 to 300 milligrams three times per day.
Can Gabapentin and Xanax interact with other medications, and what are the potential risks?
You need to be very careful when taking Gabapentin alongside medications that cause depression of the nervous system or make you feel drowsy – there is also a chance of serotonin syndrome occurring when Gabapentin interacts with antidepressants. As for Xanax, it can be dangerous when combined with antihistamines, sleeping pills, and drugs you were given to deal with depression – there is a high likelihood of sleepiness, dizziness, breathing issues, and even coma.
Are there significant differences in the interactions of Gabapentin compared to Xanax with alcohol or other substances?
Gabapentin and Xanax both amplify the effects of alcohol – there is a risk of an overdose especially if you are not careful about the amount of alcohol you consume. Abuse of any of these substances can be harmful and even fatal which is why your medical provider will remind you to stay away from alcohol, drugs, other prescription medications, and in some cases, caffeine so that you prioritize your anxiety treatment or epilepsy management.
