Gabapentin: Uses, Side Effects, Abuse, Treatment

Gabapentin is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States, with over 68 million prescriptions written in 2020. The drug, which is commonly sold under the brand name Neurontin, is used to treat seizures, neuropathic pain, and neuropathy. While once seen as a low-risk drug, it’s increasingly entering the spotlight as a recreational drug with a significant profile for abuse. This is especially true when taken by users with a history of opiate abuse, as Gabapentin can cause opiate-like highs and can increase the effects of other medications.

This creates a complicated picture of Gabapentin, which is not especially addictive on its own, but is easy to abuse and often abused. Gabapentin has a light addiction profile (but a strong withdrawal one), meaning that most users who are addicted to Gabapentin became addicted to another drug, switched to Gabapentin, and continue to use it.

If you or a loved one is using Gabapentin, it’s important to understand what the drug does, how it works, and why you might use it. It’s also important to understand the potential side-effects, risks or abuse, and treatment options in case you’re addicted.

What is Gabapentin Used For?

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant drug. An anticonvulsant stops or prevents seizures, tremors, and neural problems. For example, Gabapentin is commonly prescribed to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain, neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, and neural side-effects of diabetes. It’s also commonly used for off-label uses like treating seizures and neural side-effects of addiction withdrawal, hot flashes during chemotherapy or menopause, complaints of itchiness, and sometimes even anxiety. These off-label uses are not FDA approved, but the drug is considered common and safe.
Brands – Gabapentin is most commonly sold as Neurontin. This prescription drug uses the same active ingredients as other brands including Horizant, Gralise, Gabarone, and the generic medication, “Gabapentin”.

How Does Gabapentin Work?

Gabapentin interactions with the GABA receptors in the brain and central nervous system. Here, it modulates enzyme production in the CNS and the brain, through the GABA receptor and voltage-gated calcium channels.
The result is a slowing of synapse connections in the brain, a relaxing effect, and a sedative effect throughout the body. This is similar to how benzodiazepines function to cause sedation. Gabapentin also causes mild euphoric effects, like other GABA drugs. The most well-known of these include alcohol and benzodiazepines such as Xanax or Lorazepam. This also means that Gabapentin sedates the body in a similar manner, causing depression and potential respiratory depression in a similar manner to large doses of alcohol.

Similarly, it means that Gabapentin is extremely useful in treating substance use disorders. If an individual is addicted to alcohol or benzodiazepines, it’s easier to switch to a Gabapentin dose and then taper off of that, without the strong withdrawal symptoms of alcohol. Because Gabapentin interacts with GABA receptors in the same way, the body does not go into seizures and the risk of severe side-effects like Delirium Tremens are greatly reduced. Of course, Gabapentin can cause its own complications and should only be used as a detox aid in a medical setting, monitored by medical professionals.

Side Effects of Gabapentin

Gabapentin is largely seen as safe because it has a very low side-effect profile. While similar sedative drugs like alcohol and benzodiazepines have long lists of side-effects, Gabapentin only has a few. In most cases, these side effects include:

• Persistent fatigue or tiredness
• Vertigo, lightheadedness or dizziness
• Unwanted or uncontrollable eye movements
• Loss of muscle coordination and possibly ataxia (changes in gait, speech patterns, eye movement)
• Twitching
• Respiratory depression
• Persistent drowsiness
• Suicidal ideation (rare)

Gabapentin should be taken in accordance with the prescription and should not be taken at a higher dosage, even if the current dose isn’t working. This is important, because the drug has a high risk of overdose. Here, users show similar symptoms to alcohol overdose, with heavy sedation, slurred speech, drowsiness, difficulty breathing, jerking motions, seizures, bluing around the lips and fingernails, and possible coma or death. If your loved one is showing signs of a gabapentin overdose, it is crucial to call emergency services immediately.