What are the risks of taking gabapentin? Negative side effects of gabapentin can vary for each person, but the severe effects are rare. A doctor can help you weigh the risks and benefits of gabapentin use for you.
While gabapentin is used for many therapeutic applications and can be safe to use when taken as prescribed, there are also risks linked with its use. The drug’s side effects can be severe, and there is a risk of abuse and dependence on the drug.
What Is Gabapentin Used For?
Gabapentin (Gralise, Horizant, Neurontin) is a medication originally approved for seizures that is now used for off-label conditionsup to 95%of the time. These conditionsinclude:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Anxiety
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Cough
- Diabetic nerve pain
- Withdrawal seizures from drugs and alcohol
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Hiccups
- Restless Legs Syndrome
Gabapentin is the10th most commonly prescribedmedication in the United States, with more than 47 million prescriptions filled in 2019.
Common Side Effects of Gabapentin
Gabapentin’s side effectscan vary for each person. A doctor can help you weigh the risks and benefits of gabapentin use for you. Some of thecommon side effectsare:
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- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vision trouble
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Weight gain
Some of the severe side effectsincludetrouble breathing and allergic reactions.
People who start to use gabapentin should pay attention to shifts in mood or emotions. For example, a person who experiences increased anxiety, anger or panic attacks should contact a doctor right away. Gabapentin can potentially cause suicidal thoughts, a riskcommon to allseizure medications.
It is crucial to discuss your full medical history with a doctor before using gabapentin. You should also let your doctor know of any other substances being used regularly, like alcohol, drugs, vitamins, over-the-counter pain relievers or herbal supplements. Gabapentin may interact with certain types of substances and cause negative side effects. For example,mixing alcohol and gabapentincan cause people to feel dizzy or tired.
Despite the risk of side effects of using gabapentin, it can be more dangerous to stop using it, especially if you take a high dose. Gabapentin use can cause physical dependence. So, if you stop using it suddenly, you may go through withdrawal.
What Are the Risks of Taking Gabapentin?
Although not a controlled substance at the federal level,some stateshave made gabapentin a Schedule V controlled substance becausesome studies showit may be linked to addiction.About 15%of people who use drugs without a prescription haveabusedgabapentin to get high. Further, taking gabapentin with other drugs increases the risk of serious side effects like overdose, which is increasedfourfoldwhen gabapentin is misused alongside an opioid.
States that have made gabapentin a controlled substance include:
- Alabama
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- North Dakota
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Additional states have not made gabapentin a controlled substance, but they instead require gabapentin prescriptions to be reported to prescription monitoring databases. These states and districtsinclude:
- Connecticut
- Washington D.C.
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Utah
- Wyoming
Dangers of Sudden Gabapentin Withdrawal
When you take gabapentin over the long term and suddenly stop, you may experiencewithdrawal symptoms. Due to that risk, no one should stop taking the drug without a doctor’s approval. This occurs because your body has become used to the presence of gabapentin and is struggling to adjust to its absence. This is especially true when someone takes ahigh gabapentin doseand suddenly stops taking the drug.
Symptoms of gabapentin withdrawalinclude:
- Agitation
- Disorientation
- Confusion
To avoid these symptoms, a doctor will usually instruct a person totaper their gabapentin dose. It is possible tooverdose on gabapentin, so it’s important that people follow a doctor’s orders to stay safe.
Due to the way gabapentin is used to treat pain, people may wonder if it is addictive. When taken as prescribed, gabapentin isn’t considered addictive. However, people mayabuse it to get high.
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