Gabapentin & Bipolar Disorder

Gabapentin is a medication approved for the treatment of epilepsy. Known by the brand name Neurontin, it is frequently prescribed for the off-label treatment of bipolar disorder, generally as an adjunct to mood-stabilizing or antipsychotic medications. Gabapentin causes few side effects and is generally well tolerated. This makes it especially useful for bipolar patients who are resistant to taking psychiatric medications due to their severe side-effect profiles.

Significance

• In rapid cycling or aggressive bipolar patients, gabapentin is an ideal choice, as it can be used in conjunction with other psychiatric medications without contributing to weight gain or significantly increasing anger, anxiety or episode frequency.

Function

• According to MedHelp.org, gabapentin's exact role in the treatment of bipolar is unclear, but it has been shown to affect levels of certain chemicals and neurotransmitters in the brain.

Benefits

• Gabapentin may be effective for some patients who fail to improve while taking other mood-stabilizing medications and antidepressants, and the drug typically causes fewer side effects than other bipolar drugs, such as lithium and Depakote.

Side Effects

• The most commonly reported side effects of gabapentin include peripheral edema, dizziness, blurred vision and somnolence, but these side effects are generally transient.

Considerations

• The FDA has not approved gabapentin for use in children, and young children have experienced severe psychiatric side effects, such as hostility and thought disorders, while taking this medication during medical studies.