New data shows that overdosing from gabapentin is on the rise. As of December 2016, Ohio requires doctors to report all filled gabapentin prescriptions to a state prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to help prevent abuse and potential overdose of this medication. Can You Overdose on Gabapentin?Īlthough it is not considered a controlled substance, health care experts warn about the abuse and overdose potential of this drug, leading some states to regulate gabapentin. Other reasons gabapentin may be prescribed are restless leg syndrome, hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety and general pain. In addition to treating seizures and nerve pain, this medicine is prescribed for a variety of off-label issues, meaning they are not FDA-approved for these conditions. Individuals who abuse gabapentin also describe feeling more social and experiencing a marijuana-like high. How gabapentin works exactly is unknown however, research shows that it binds to calcium channels in the brain, decreasing nerve excitability and providing feelings of calm and euphoria. Gabapentin belongs to a class of drugs known as gabapentinoids. It is crucial to seek help if gabapentin abuse is suspected. Abusing medications like gabapentin can lead to a possibly fatal overdose. Overdose may occur when taken alone or when combined with opioids, benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium, or alcohol. Gabapentin abuse involves taking doses higher than prescribed and for reasons not intended by the prescriber. Unfortunately, gabapentin also poses a risk for abuse and overdose. In 2018, 67.4 million prescriptions for this medication were sold to patients, compared to 33.4 million prescriptions in 2011. As a result, prescriptions for gabapentin have dramatically increased over the years.
In an effort to combat the opioid crisis plaguing the United States, prescribers have turned to this drug as a hopeful substitute for opioids to reduce pain. Gabapentin is a popular prescription medication used primarily to treat seizures and nerve pain.
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