What Do You Need to Know About Gabapentin for Sleep?

Insomnia is among the most common conditions which cause many adults to seek medical advice. Different medications are prescribed for insomnia issues: one of them is gabapentin for sleep.

Medication should be part of an integrated approach that includes behavioral change strategies and treatment of relevant symptomatology to tackle insomnia.

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Gabapentin is a drug prescribed by doctors for a few reasons. Primarily, it is used as an anticonvulsant as it helps control seizures in epileptic people.

It is also used to ease certain kinds of neuropathic pains and reduce the effect of restless legs syndrome. 

Additionally, Gabapentin treats:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder symptoms
• Insomnia

This medication works by affecting the electrical activity in the brain and influencing neurotransmitters, which pass messages between nerve cells.

Gabapentin has numerous brand names such as:

• Neurontin
• Gralise
• Horizant

It is available in the following forms:

• Liquid
• Capsule
• Tablet 

Before you choose gabapentin as your medication option, it would help you understand more about the drug.

Here is everything you need to know about gabapentin for sleep. 

How Does Gabapentin Work?

There is a need for research to understand the pharmacological effects of gabapentin fully.

As an anticonvulsant drug, you would expect gabapentin to work by interacting with GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid) receptors in the central nervous system.

However, it does not operate the same way. It is not clear how gabapentin works: nonetheless, there are indications that it affects calcium levels to treat different disorders.

In other cases, it is thought to reduce sensitivity that results from the pain from the condition, making one feel less pain and sensitivity. This relaxing and soothing effect on nerves is why psychiatrists prescribe it as an anxiety and insomnia treatment.

It helps treat seizures by manipulating the impact and levels of calcium. Low levels of calcium are known to cause seizures.

Advantages of Gabapentin for Sleep

How Does Gabapentin Affect Sleep?

Will gabapentin help you sleep?

You may wonder. According to research, there are excellent treatment effects of gabapentin for primary insomnia. The treatment is possible in various ways. One, gabapentin has great anti-anxiety and calming effects, making it very helpful in treating sleep disorders and insomnia.

Also, gabapentin has a peculiar effect on sleep quality. According to a study, gabapentin not only helps to treat insomnia symptoms [1*] by decreasing spontaneous arousal — like waking up in the middle of the night.

It also helps improve sleep quality by enhancing slow-wave sleep. Slow-wave sleep also referred to as deep sleep, is the type of sleep that makes individuals feel rested.

During this deep sleep, the pituitary gland secretes hormones, like the human growth hormone, which develops and repairs cells in the body. Glucose metabolism in the brain also increases, supporting learning and memory.

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How Long Does Gabapentin Take To Work for Sleep?

Gabapentin has a half-life of 5-7 hours. Simply put, it takes about 5 to 7 hours for most people to metabolize the medication to half of its original concentration. The duration its effects take to manifest varies from one person to another.

However, since the drug improves your ability to stay asleep, you should only take it when you have 7-8 hours to sleep.

Please strictly take your prescription on your doctor’s guidelines. Never use this medication if you won’t go to bed right away and stay asleep for at least 7 hours. Also, do not operate a vehicle or other heavy machinery after taking gabapentin.

Gabapentin Side Effects

Dosages For Gabapentin for Sleep 

The Gabapentin for sleep dosage varies from one individual to another. However, doctors usually start with 300 g of Gabapentin for sleep and anxiety for two nights. After this, they follow it up with 300 mg and take it twice daily for an additional two days.

If you tolerate this twice-daily dosage, It can increase up to 300 mg three times a day. Also, your doctor can carry out additional titration going upward and make 300 mg increments depending on the side effects.

Do not take gabapentin daily doses of more than 3600 mg. Please consult with your doctor before adjusting any gabapentin dose.

Long Term Use of Gabapentin for Sleep 

There is a need for more evidence-based research to conclude whether gabapentin for sleep is safe for long-term use as a sleep medication.

The research is critical, especially because gabapentin has been proven to have severe withdrawal symptoms that can negatively impact sleep and have some potential for abuse. When using gabapentin, use it for the shortest possible duration and at the lowest possible dose.

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Bottom Line

Gabapentin is an effective sleep aid for those experiencing constantly interrupted sleep and anxiety. If you’re having trouble sleeping, it’s essential to start by making an appointment with your doctor. They may assess you and determine whether gabapentin for sleep is the right treatment path for you. 

Additionally, they may refer you to a polysomnographic technician to evaluate your sleep and ensure that you aren’t experiencing any other sleep disturbances, such as sleep apnea. Please use gabapentin for sleep and anxiety when other treatments, medication, or otherwise, are insufficient after consultation with your doctor.