What is it about?
Despite safety concerns and varying efficacy evidence, we found gabapentin was used off-label frequently for anxiety and depression and was co-prescribed with central nervous system depressant drugs over half of the time. Improved safety communication when patients transition from primary care to psychiatric care are warranted in order to improve treatment outcomes.
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Why is it important?
Off-label prescribing is common, particularly for gabapentin. However, off-label treatment of psychiatric symptoms should be cautious when there is limited efficacy and safety information available.
Perspectives
Are we throwing gabapentin against a wall to see what sticks, or is it an effective treatment for anxiety and depressive symptoms for which we should generate more evidence?
Brianna Costales
University of Florida
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Outpatient Off-Label Gabapentin Use for Psychiatric Indications Among U.S. Adults, 2011–2016, Psychiatric Services, November 2021, American Psychiatric Association,
DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.202000338.
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