Is Gabapentin The Right Medicine For PTSD?

Posted on Fri, 19 Aug 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 19 Aug 2016 Answered on

Thu, 15 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Our 36 yoa son is a professional firefighter. He has also suffered from severe depression most of his life. He has just gone through an acute episode of what may be PTSD. He reported high agitation, high anxiety and inability to sleep. He self-medicated with alcohol for a 3 week period. He also was on a drug prescribed by his family physician, Ativan (?) or some sort of Benzo? With strong family support, particularly his older brother, he went off the alcohol. He went through withdrawals we believe primarily from the medication. He is now in an addiction recovery center which says it is dual diagnosis. The Dr. there prescribed gabapertin for him. He has been subjected to physical trauma (police excessive force) some years ago, had significant flashbacks from that experience. He, of course, sees and is a first responder to significant trauma and death on the job. Any thoughts for us? XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
PTSD

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

I am sorry to hear that your son is having problems with PTSD. I am sure from your description that is suffering from PTSD. Now PTSD is a hard diagnosis to live with. Treatment usually is based on weekly behavioral therapy with medications for depression and anxiety. For out of the box recommendation I may also recommend using medical cannabis. There is good data showing that vets returning for war are getting good results with medical cannabis in controlling their PTSD symtpoms.

So you son has several options
1. continue behavioral therapy
2. Start antidepressants and other medications for PTSD
3. Medical marijuana

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar