Posted by Rick on June 30, 2001, at 18:13:08
In reply to How much Neurontin for SP ?, posted by jimmygold70 on June 30, 2001, at 14:57:53
I have a copy of the original journal article reporting on the placebo-controlled study for Neurontin (gabapentin) in Social Phobia. Dosage ranged between 900mg and 3600mg a day. 77% of the subjects got up to at least 2100. While the higher doses tended to show greater responses, this was not systematically investigated. That question was cited as a possible follow-up study -- one I'm sure will never happen now that pregabalin is on the way.
The researchers started everyone out at 600 mg/day split into two doses. By the end of the first week they were all up to 900 mg/day, split into three doses. (I couldn't understand why one of the doses was at bedtime, given Neurontin's very short half-life. I e-mailed one of the article's authors and he agreed that this might not have been the optimal approach.) Thereafter, the dosage was increased by 300 mg a day until 3600 mg or the emergence of limiting side effects, whichever came first.
Of course, just because the research was done this way doesn't necessarily mean that that's the optimal approach for you. But it should help allay your concerns over moving up too fast. Neurontin's a very safe med.
At the end of 14 weeks, 32% of the gabapentin users were considered responders, vs. 14% response for the placebo. The article also talks about differences in theraputic responders and placebo effect by age and sex.
I got up to about 3200 mg (four 800 mg tabs)before I gave up on it because of some unusual side effects. So it never got a fair trial for me.
If you'd like to order the full article, The Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology charges an amazingly low fee -- $3. Go the the link below and request this document: Volume 19, number 4 pages 341-348, "Treatment of Social Phobia with Gabapentin: A Placebo-Controlled Study".
Rick
http://www.psychiatrist.com/order.htm
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> 1. What is the typical daily dose for Neurontin when treating anxiety (Social Phobia and Panic Disorder in my case ?)
> 2. What is the starting dose ? How fast should I go up ? I want to be on the safe side, though !
>
> Thanx,
> Jimmy
poster:Rick
thread:68505
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010625/msgs/68522.html