![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Orin3 on October 3, 2000, at 21:49:14
I've been prescribed Gabpentin, 300mg twice daily, as an adjuct to Venlafaxine, 225mg daily. The idea was to provide more anxiolytic support. Here it is a month out under this dosing arrangement, and the Gabapentin, instead of causing sedation, is pleasantly revving me up. Not hypomania, but physiological activation. Stimulating anxiolytics aren't that common. Has anyone else had this (greatly appreciated) stimulating effect from Gabapentin or its combination with Venlafxine?
Posted by AndrewB on October 4, 2000, at 9:03:08
In reply to Is Gabapentin a Stimulant?, posted by Orin3 on October 3, 2000, at 21:49:14
Your response to gabapentin is atypical but not rare.
See Dr. Bob's Tips Section under 'side-effects of gabapnetin' for stories similar to yours.
Dr. Goldstein, who specializes in treating patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, has reported that many of his patients experience increased energy with this med. He also notes it can be a very effective anxiolytic and can improve mood in some.
I believe this paradoxical effect you've experienced indicates a correction of some kind of underlying neurotransmitter system dysfunction. Which neurotransmitter system is the question. Obviously Gabapentin increases GABA release but explanation of its stimulatory effect lie elsewhere. Goldstein mentions it increases activity at Ketamine receptors. But I don't know what activity gabapentin may also have on other nuerotramitter systems. Maybe a call to Dr. Goldstein's office (http://www.drjgoldstein.com/frames/05artbook.html) will be able to clarify things.
Consider yourself lucky to have stumbled onto this.
AndrewB
Posted by Anna P. on October 4, 2000, at 12:45:54
In reply to Is Gabapentin a Stimulant?, posted by Orin3 on October 3, 2000, at 21:49:14
> I've been prescribed Gabpentin, 300mg twice daily, as an adjuct to Venlafaxine, 225mg daily. The idea was to provide more anxiolytic support. Here it is a month out under this dosing arrangement, and the Gabapentin, instead of causing sedation, is pleasantly revving me up. Not hypomania, but physiological activation. Stimulating anxiolytics aren't that common. Has anyone else had this (greatly appreciated) stimulating effect from Gabapentin or its combination with Venlafxine?
Yes, I've experienced this effect with diminishing results over time. I take 900 mg Neurontin and 12 mg Reboxetine.
Anna P.
Posted by Orin3 on October 4, 2000, at 21:41:58
In reply to Re: Is Gabapentin a Stimulant?, posted by AndrewB on October 4, 2000, at 9:03:08
> AndrewB:
Thank you for that good reply. It sure would be nice if more research were published about Gabapentin. I hadn't read the Goldstein articles, and they are quite interesting.
Orin
Posted by Orin3 on October 4, 2000, at 21:55:41
In reply to Re: Gabapentin - stimulating effect, posted by Anna P. on October 4, 2000, at 12:45:54
> > Anna P:
What effect remains from Gabapentin after the stimulant effect fades?
Out of curiosity, are you using it in place of another anxiolytic, or are you using it to buffer the Reboxetine, or as an AD adjunct to the Reboxetine, or all of the above?
Orin
Posted by Anna P. on October 5, 2000, at 12:14:13
In reply to Re: Gabapentin - stimulating effect, posted by Orin3 on October 4, 2000, at 21:55:41
> > > Anna P:
>
> What effect remains from Gabapentin after the stimulant effect fades?
>
> Out of curiosity, are you using it in place of another anxiolytic, or are you using it to buffer the Reboxetine, or as an AD adjunct to the Reboxetine, or all of the above?
>
> OrinHi Orin,
In my case, antidepressants don't work anymore on their own. I use Neurontin to augment Reboxetine, that is to push it to work. After the stimulating effect kind of wears off, Neurontin still makes Reboxetine working maybe at 50%.
Anna P.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.