Though gabapentin is not a federally controlled substance, some still wonder how long the drug can be picked up on drug screenings. Learn more about how long it stays in the body.
Gabapentinworks as a central nervous system depressant, and it is primarily used as an anticonvulsant drug for treating epilepsy. However, it’s also helpful in treating a variety of other conditions. Some people misuse the drug for its calming effects, leading some states to classify it as a controlled substance.
Because gabapentin carries risks for misuse and can cause impaired motor function, some people wonder how long the drug takes to leave their system. This overview covers how long gabapentin stays in a person’s system and the factors and chemistry that affect that duration.
Half-Life of Gabapentin
A drug’s half-life refers to the amount of time it takes for the body to clear half of the drug from its system. For most people, the half-life of gabapentin ranges from5–7 hours. But the half-life can be as long as52 hoursin people with kidney problems andeven longerfor people on dialysis.
It usually takesfive half-livesfor all of a drug to completely leave the system. Based on this estimation,gabapentin can stay in the system of someone without kidney disease for about 35 hours.
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Factors That Influence How Long Gabapentin Stays in Your System
No two people are the same when it comes to drug elimination times. Factors that influence how long gabapentin stays in the system include:
- Kidney function:Gabapentin is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. If someone has impaired kidney function, it can take them much longer to clear the drug. The half-life of gabapentin in someone with kidney disease can be more thanseven times longerthan in someone without it.
- Age:For the most part, younger people tend to eliminate drugs from their systems faster than older people. This isusuallybecause of reductions in kidney function that commonly occur as people age.
- Drug interactions:Certain drugs can increase the amount of gabapentin in the body, which can cause it to take longer to clear from the system. These drugsincludeover-the-counter pain relievers like naproxen, stomach acid drugs like cimetidine and opioids like morphine and hydrocodone. Some drugs can also reduce the amount of gabapentin absorbed by the body,includingantacids like Maalox.
How Long Does Gabapentin Stay in Your Urine, Hair and Blood?
Some people wonder if gabapentin will show up on a drug test and for how long. First and foremost, gabapentin is a legal drug and is not a federally-controlled substance. For this reason, doctors do not routinely test for gabapentin in standard drug screenings.
However, gabapentin drug tests can be specially ordered. The drug can show up in the urine for about2–4 daysafter the last dose. Although gabapentin can be found insalivaandhair, these types of tests are not generally performed commercially and data on them is limited.
Other Questions About Gabapentin
What is Gabapentin used for?
What are Gabapentin’s side effects?
Is Gabapentin illegal?
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