Data on 62,652 overdose deaths that occurred during 2019–2020 in the 24 jurisdictions were entered in SUDORS; among 58,362 deaths with documented toxicology results, a total of 5,687 (9.7%) had gabapentin detected on postmortem toxicology. Of the 11 population-based studies and 23 case reports included here, nearly one-third report gabapentin misuse/abuse for recreational purposes and epidemiological studies from the US and UK estimate abuse rates between 40–65% just among individuals with a gabapentin prescription. Over the 2010–2019 period, the following data were collected: (i) 265 SRs of gabapentinoid abuse (258 with pregabalin and 7 with gabapentin); (ii) 816 forged/falsified prescription forms (805 involving pregabalin, 10 gabapentin and 1 involving both drugs) from OSIAP survey; (iii) 145 cases of gabapentinoid use in people who use drugs (PWUD Available evidence also suggests that abuse and misuse are more frequent in users of pregabalin compared with users of gabapentin. Health professionals and prescribers should be aware of the risk for misuse of pregabalin and gabapentin, which eventually could lead to abuse, substance dependence, and intoxications. Many respondents (43%) misused gabapentin without ever receiving a prescription and 14% prior to being prescribed. Mean frequency of recent misuse was 25.4 days and included a mean of 51.65 pills/doses. Prevalent routes of administration included swallowing (85.7%) and snorting (10.2%). Long considered safe and non-addictive, gabapentin is increasingly showing up in the bodies of people who overdose on heroin and prescription opioids. Researchers are now finding that the alternative painkiller has become a drug of abuse. Jeff Chu/AP Doctors who are cutting back on prescribing opioids increasingly are opting for gabapentin, a safer, non-narcotic drug [] Prescription drug misuse was reported in 62% of the patients and 16% reported misuse of gabapentin in the past. A significantly higher proportion of patients with an opioid use disorder (26%) endorsed gabapentin abuse compared with 4% of those without an opioid use disorder. Officials ruled that gabapentin was a cause of death in almost 3000 of these cases. The number of fatal overdoses in which gabapentin was detected or involved increased from 2019 to 2020, apparently tracking with the overall increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Lorenz-1 values were 37% opioids, 19% gabapentin, 15% pregabalin, 14% alprazolam, and 13% zolpidem. The top 1% gabapentin users filled prescriptions for a mean (median) 11,274 (9534) mg/day, more than three times the recommended maximum (3600 mg). Of these, one-quarter used or diverted ≥12,822 mg/day. What Is Being Done to Address Gabapentin Abuse? Recent statistics about Neurontin addiction have shocked the public. Many ask why it isn’t being regulated. On December 1st, 2016, the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy took a stand. They acted to try to stop the problem. The new measure was a mandatory report system. Epidemiological and case report evidence suggests that the anti-epileptic and analgesic medication gabapentin is being misused internationally, with substance abuse populations at special risk for misuse/abuse. Gabapentin Overdose Statistics. An increasing number of people abuse gabapentin to get high and are at risk of overdose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently studied gabapentin overdoses. Of the 58,362 overdose deaths with toxicology results in 2019 and 2020, 5,687 (9.7%) showed positive results for gabapentin. When gabapentin is taken alone and as prescribed, there is little potential for abuse or addiction. However, when a person takes gabapentin with other medications—such as muscle relaxants, opioids, or anxiety medications—it can produce a high. The effects of gabapentin intoxication have been variously described as: 4. Relaxation/sense of calm. Gabapentin Abuse Statistics. Prevalence of gabapentin misuse in the general population was reported to be 1%, 40– 65% among individuals with prescriptions, and between 15–22% within populations of people who abuse opioids. [64] estimated the prevalence of gabapentin abuse and mis-use to be 40–65% among individuals with prescriptions and . 15–22% in populations abusing opioids compared with 1% . In an international study examining reports of gabapentin-related misuse, abuse, and dependence, researchers found 4301 cases of potential misuse, abuse, and dependence among 90,166 recipients of gabapentin over the period 2004–2015 . The PRR of pregabalin versus gabapentin abuse-related events was 1.77. Conclusion: Though not traditionally thought of as drugs of abuse, over 600 cases of gabapentinoid abuse were reported in the time frame analyzed, prompting the need for further study and regulatory investigation. In our series, we review 104 cases of decedents who tested positive for gabapentin in postmortem blood samples and an additional 53 nonfatal cases of motor vehicle drivers suspected of driving under the influence. In 47.1% of the fatality cases, gabapentin was directly involved in death. Gabapentin can be used to potentiate illicit opioids; data indicate gabapentin exposures associated with intentional abuse, misuse, or unknown exposures reported to U.S. poison centers increased by 104% from 2013 to 2017 (3). Dizziness was the most frequently reported gabapentin-abuse-rated adverse event (5.25%), followed by falls (4.48%), and somnolence (3.33%). For pregabalin, dizziness and somnolence were also the most frequently reported abuse-related adverse events (6.59% and 5.17%, respectively).
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