Is gabapentin addictive?

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asked Mar 27, 2022 in Pain by Tarabaesing (2,090 points)
Is gabapentin addictive?

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answered Mar 28, 2022 by sayinghitoyou (5,520 points)
Gabapentin is addictive to some people although it's less addictive than Opioids.

A lot of people use gabapentin for legitimate medical conditions, but some people become addicted to the drug and may misuse it.

Frequent use of gabapentin can lead to physical dependence on the drug.

According to researchers, long-term use of gabapentin — a nonopioid pain medication — among older adults may cause altered mental status, dizziness, drowsiness and renal dysfunction, and it could also lead to polypharmacy, which in itself can lead to adverse events and hospital stays.

Gabapentin does also have withdrawal symptoms as well.

Withdrawal symptoms of Gabapentin can begin within 12 hours to 7 days after quitting the medication and last up to 10 days.

Symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal may include nausea, dizziness, headaches, insomnia, and anxiety.

The safest way to stop using gabapentin is to taper off the medication under the supervision of a doctor.

Gabapentin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. Gabapentin treats seizures by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.

Gabapentin relieves the pain of PHN by changing the way the body senses pain.

Gabapentin, also known by the brand name Neurontin, is a prescription Painkiller belonging to its own drug class, Gabapentinoids.

It is considered an anticonvulsant, and is most commonly used to treat epilepsy, restless leg syndrome, hot flashes, and neuropathic pain.

Gabapentin can produce feelings of relaxation, calmness and euphoria.

Some users have reported that the high from snorted gabapentin can be similar to taking a stimulant.

It can also enhance the euphoric effects of other drugs, like heroin and other opioids, and is likely to increase the risks when taken in this way.

The anti-seizure medication gabapentin is not currently considered a narcotic or controlled substance by the federal government, but certain states have enacted legislation so that the medication is treated as one or monitored by the state's prescription drug monitoring program.

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