Question 1

is gabapentin a barbiturate or benzodiazepine?

Accepted Answer

Neither: It is an anti-seizure med. However, it may have some effects on the GABA receptor, though this may not be it's main mechanism of action. It can be sedating, like the other 2 classes of drugs.

Question 2

would switching from xanax to gabapentin help reduce my pain further from fibromyalgia but also help with withdrawals from benzodiazapine to help avoid seizures? are they safe to take together in low doses otherwise?

Accepted Answer

Better off Xanax, be: It would be better to be off Xanax and benzodiazapine. You would be slowly tapered off. There are  bettr  ways to reat fibromyalgia - Gabapentin up to 1800 mg total a day, or lyrica up to 450 mg/day and duloxetine. You need to be re-evaluated

Question 3

is gabapentin addicting?

Accepted Answer

Good Question: Most substances to be addictive must be shown to be associated with a Dopamine release in the brain's reward centers.   I'm not aware of evidence for that with Gabapentin but nonetheless it is for some a potent anti-anxiety agent, so it doesn't surprise me that addictive like patterns can emerge.   If that's the case it is time to look for other ways to safely and effectively address the anxiety.

Question 4

are benzodiazepines safe?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines: Used for short-term treatment of anxiety, muscle spasm, insomnia, agitation, sedation, they are safe, as long as closely monitored by your doctor.

Question 5

what is gabapentin 600 mg?

Accepted Answer

Anti-epileptic: Gabapentin or Neurontin (gabapentin) is a commonly used anti-epileptic medications.  It is also used for chronic pain, headaches, and neuropathies.

Question 6

is cyclobenzaprine a benzodiazepine?

Accepted Answer

No: Cyclobenzaprine, also known as flexeril, (cyclobenzaprine hcl) is not a benzodiazepine.  It is more closely related to the tricyclic antidepressants, and is used for muscle spasms.

Question 7

please describe the medication: gabapentin?

Accepted Answer

Relaxant & analgesic: Gabapentin (marketed as neurontin) is a drug used for the treatment of epilepsy (anticonvulsant), chronic nerve-related pain (analgesic), and conditions like fibromyalgia. Its side effects include dizziness, fatigue, weight gain, drowsiness, & swelling of extremities. A structurally related compound is gaba, a supplement that has a calming, relaxing, & anti-anxiety effect on the body.

Question 8

is clozapine  a benzodiazepine?

Accepted Answer

No: Clozapine is considered a 2nd generation antipsychotic medication, typically used in schizophrenia, that antagonizes quite a few neurotransmitter receptors, eg Dopamine d1 & d4 plus serotonin 5ht2 & cholinergic muscarinic ones, too. It's a very effective drug when used under close observation but can only be prescribed under restricted distribution due high risk for agranulocytosis, etc.

Question 9

which benzodiazepines are hypnotic?

Accepted Answer

Sleep: Hypnotic in medicine means a medication helps with sleep.  Ambien (zolpidem) is an example of a hypnotic Benzodiazepine.  Halcion is another.

Question 10

what causes benzodiazepines to be toxic?

Accepted Answer

Don't know what you: mean by "toxic," because actually, benzodiazepines have very little "toxicity" as we define it.  Many drugs can cause stomach and intestinal inflammation, liver damage, heart damage, fluid retention, reduce the immune system, cause severe rashes - benzodiazepines have essentially none of these (allergy is always possible). They cause physical dependency and can cause addiction, and memory problems

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Is gabapentin a benzodiazepine

A member asked:

Is gabapentin a barbiturate or benzodiazepine?

A member asked:

Would switching from xanax to gabapentin help reduce my pain further from fibromyalgia but also help with withdrawals from benzodiazapine to help avoid seizures? are they safe to take together in low doses otherwise?

A member asked:

Is gabapentin addicting?

A member asked:

Are benzodiazepines safe?

A member asked:

What is gabapentin 600 mg?

A member asked:

Is cyclobenzaprine a benzodiazepine?

A member asked:

Please describe the medication: gabapentin?

A member asked:

Is clozapine a benzodiazepine?

A member asked:

Which benzodiazepines are hypnotic?

A member asked:

What causes benzodiazepines to be toxic?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?