Side Effects of GABA Boosting Medications

GABA-boosting medications are in general well tolerated but not without side effects. They cause sedation and drowsiness, anterograde amnesia, and impaired motor coordination. Some of these effects provide an excellent example of how a side effect in one setting can be beneficial in another. For example, anterograde 

When all else fails, the patient may need to switch to another medication. Serotonin-boosting antidepressants are a reasonable alternative to benzodiazepines for patients with anxiety disorders. Likewise, there are several options for the bipolar patient who cannot tolerate GABAergic medications. 

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