In drug abuse treatment centers, up to 22% of people were reported to be misusing gabapentin. Addressing gabapentin addiction involves a multifaceted approach that encompasses detoxification, withdrawal management, and long-term treatment strategies tailored to individual needs. Despite being classified as a Schedule V controlled substance in some states due to its potential for abuse, gabapentin’s addictive properties are often underestimated. Additionally, individuals with a history of substance abuse or mental health disorders may be more prone to developing dependence on gabapentin. As an anticonvulsant and neuropathic pain reliever, gabapentin is commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as epilepsy, neuropathy, and chronic pain.
What are the Physical and Behavioral Indicators of Gabapentin Addiction?
The pain medication tramadol is starting to fall out of favor with veterinarians. That said, the medication may last longer in dogs with kidney or liver impairment. The dosage range for gabapentin varies widely depending on what it’s being used to treat. Like all medications, there is a small chance that a dog could be allergic to it, in which case, this medication should be avoided. Your vet will help you determine if medication is necessary to treat your dog’s anxiety.
The most dangerous interactions involve other CNS depressants, opioids, and drugs affecting kidney function (since gabapentin is renally eliminated). It’s rarely mentioned because it develops gradually over months and is often attributed to “reduced activity from pain” rather than the medication itself. If your dog is on any cardiac medication, gabapentin dosing requires veterinary cardiologist consultation or at minimum close monitoring by general vet.
May include reviews from the Cochrane Library where gabapentin was not the focus of the publication and subset results are presented. For depression, use mainly comprised adjunctive treatment, and assessment was based on one small retrospective chart review of 27 participants. Berlin et al21 recently conducted a systematic review on gabapentin across several psychiatric disorders. Those indications in which a Cochrane review was available did not undergo an additional search in PubMed/MEDLINE or Embase; the secondary search instead focused on indications where gabapentin Salvia Information is most commonly used in clinical practice, based on author experience. Second, PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase were used to identify other systematic reviews/meta-analyses and primary literature using search terms “gabapentin” or “Neurontin” along with respective off-label indications. To assemble this evidence, the Cochrane Library was first searched for systematic reviews/meta-analyses focused on gabapentin efficacy.
In a large meta-analysis of adults with sleep disturbances by Liu et al,25 gabapentin demonstrated efficacy over placebo in 5 out of 7 composite end points. Atkin et al24 performed a review of gabapentin for insomnia; however, only 1 trial assessed primary insomnia, whereas the remaining 5 involved insomnia as a comorbid diagnosis, or in healthy subjects. However, gabapentin is a second-line recommendation in the Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense 2015 clinical practice guideline for alcohol use disorder and/or withdrawal.37 Two additional Cochrane systematic reviews by Pani et al22 and Minozzi et al23 did not focus on gabapentin but evaluated the effects of a host of anticonvulsants on alcohol and cocaine dependence, respectively. Social phobia displayed favorable results as well in one study of 69 participants where various symptoms were significantly improved.21 However, given the lack of attempt to replicate these results, it is unclear whether gabapentin would continue to demonstrate favorable results in larger trials.
How Does Gabapentin Interact with Alcohol?
While initially considered to have a low potential for abuse, recent reports indicate that some individuals misuse gabapentin to enhance the effects of other substances, such as opioids, or to achieve a euphoric high. The main side effects of gabapentin addiction include fatigue, dizziness, oversedation, nausea, muscle weakness, respiratory depression, cognitive impairment, and withdrawal seizures. Marketed under the brand name Neurontin, gabapentin is prescribed for nerve pain, seizures, and chronic conditions.
What Is Gabapentin Used for in Dogs?
In 5-10% of dogs, gabapentin produces the opposite of sedation—hyperactivity, restlessness, anxiety, and agitation. ❌ Vomiting 3+ times within 6 hours → Risk of dehydration, electrolyte do people snort ambien imbalance ❌ Vomit contains blood (red or coffee-ground appearance) → Possible GI bleeding, especially if on NSAIDs ❌ Vomiting + severe lethargy/unresponsiveness → May indicate overdose or serious reaction ❌ Vomiting + diarrhea simultaneously → Dehydration risk accelerates, especially in small/elderly dogs This isn’t a sign gabapentin is “working”—it’s a sign the drug is affecting your dog’s central nervous system more broadly than intended.
💔 “#7: Cardiovascular Effects—Hypotension and Bradycardia in Vulnerable Dogs”
For those seeking relief from sleep issues without a prescription, several over-the-counter options are available. In some cases, they may even lead to complex sleep behaviors, such as sleep-walking or sleep-driving, which can be dangerous. Symptoms of insomnia include difficulty initiating sleep, frequent substance use and co-occurring mental disorders national institute of mental health nimh nighttime awakenings, and early morning awakening with an inability to return to sleep. It can be acute, lasting for a few days or weeks, or chronic, persisting for months or even years.
❌ Muscle twitching/tremors (early warning—24-48 hours after last dose) ❌ Restlessness/anxiety (nervous system hyperactivity) ❌ Focal seizures (localized—face twitching, leg jerking) ❌ Generalized seizures (full-body convulsions, loss of consciousness) ❌ Cluster seizures (multiple seizures within 24 hours—medical emergency) Gastrointestinal side effects—vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite—occur in 25-35% of dogs, especially when gabapentin is introduced suddenly at full dose rather than titrated gradually. Gabapentin’s anxiolytic effects are minimal compared to true anti-anxiety medications—the “calm” you observe is often just sedation, not reduced fear. A 2022 report stated that gabapentin was among the 10 most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S.
If it’s just a few hours before it’s time to take your next dose, take only one dose. If you forget to take a dose of gabapentin, take it as soon as you remember. Overdoses on gabapentin have been reported. A small number of studies have reported misuse and abuse of gabapentin. Gabapentin is not addictive, but this doesn’t mean that gabapentin can’t be abused.
Gabapentin is approved to prevent and control partial seizures, relieve postherpetic neuralgia after shingles and moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. Keep in mind that addiction and dependence are different conditions.
- It doesn’t stop inflammation but modulates how the nervous system processes pain.
- While its exact mechanism remains incompletely understood, gabapentin interacts with calcium channels in nerve cells, reducing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters that contribute to excessive nerve activity.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies gabapentin as a Category C drug, meaning animal experiments have shown adverse effects on fetal development, but adequate human studies are lacking.
- Quitting also increases one’s likelihood of having a seizure which can lead to personal injury or the development of medical problems and life-threatening emergencies.
- This is how gabapentin is believed to inhibit the release of excitatory neurotransmitters.
While medications and therapy can be effective, sometimes the key to better sleep lies in making simple lifestyle changes and incorporating natural remedies into your daily routine. Unlike sleep medications, CBT-I helps you overcome the underlying causes of your sleep problems. While it’s not officially approved for insomnia treatment, some studies have shown it can improve sleep quality. These medications can be particularly helpful for individuals who have both depression and sleep issues.
They believe it stops seizures by reducing unusual electrical activity in the brain. Scientists are still studying exactly how gabapentin works. However, it can produce some effects that are similar to those of opioids, such as sedation and dizziness. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication, not an opioid (sometimes referred to as “narcotics“). Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about gabapentin dependence. A person can be dependent on a substance but not addicted to it, and vice versa.
- Symptoms of a gabapentin overdose are extreme drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, slurred speech, double vision, loss of coordination, respiratory depression, and unconsciousness.
- Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is usually a big part of the plan for treating addictions, including gabapentin addiction.
- A person who is prescribed gabapentin may misuse it by taking more than the prescribed dosage or using it for entirely different reasons than what it is meant for.
- (Kentucky, West Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee, and Virginia have reclassified gabapentin as a Schedule V controlled substance).
- Marketed under the brand name Neurontin, gabapentin is prescribed for nerve pain, seizures, and chronic conditions.
- Beyond the clinical data, there is additional information regarding gabapentin that should be considered.
However, it may also be prescribed to help relieve pain that comes with postherpetic neuralgia. Gabapentin is primarily prescribed for individuals with epilepsy as a way to manage seizures. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, Neurontin, also known as gabapentin, is not named a controlled substance. However, in recent years the concern over its potential for misuse and addiction has risen. Edmund has an extensive background in SUD research and medical writing, working collaboratively with doctors, substance use disorder specialists, and clinical experts across all content on Recovered. Visit here to see whether gabapentin is a controlled substance.
What are the Physical Effects of Gabapentin Addiction?
As the medical community struggles with the complexities of gabapentin addiction, understanding its causes, risks, and pathways to recovery becomes paramount. Gabapentin interacts with other medications in ways that adjust its effectiveness or raise the risk of adverse effects. Pregnant individuals must only take gabapentin if the latent benefits outweigh the risks, certainly when treating severe conditions like epilepsy or chronic neuropathic pain.
Instead, you may need to gradually reduce how much gabapentin you take until you stop it completely. If you take gabapentin, you or your family should tell the doctor about any unusual changes in your mood, such as agitation, violence, aggression, depression, or talking about wanting to hurt yourself. Experts believe gabapentin may cause brain cells to produce more of a chemical called GABA, which reduces abnormal electrical activity of brain cells. This condition causes unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them around, especially at night, which disrupts sleep. Another extended-release form of gabapentin is FDA-approved to treat restless legs syndrome. An extended-release form of gabapentin is also FDA-approved to treat PHN.
