Gabapentin likely contributed to 5% of deaths from overdose with any substance in 2019 to 2020, according to a new study. In cases in which gabapentin was determined to be a cause of death, the blood concentrations ranged from 1.1 to 134.0 mg/L. Persons who died of a gabapentin-related drug death were prescribed the drug legitimately 91.4% of the time, with 84.2% of those also having a known prior history of abuse or misuse of prescription medications. Common side effects of gabapentin can include drowsiness, muscle weakness, and dizziness. More severe side effects may involve mood changes, confusion, and allergic reactions. Patients with kidney disease, respiratory issues, or a history of depression or substance use disorders should use gabapentin with caution. Gabapentinoids are commonly ingested in self-harm attempts and often misused for their sedative and euphoric properties. These medications can cause lethargy or agitation in overdose, increase risk of death combined with opioids, and manifest a withdrawal syndrome. Individuals who overdose on a combination of gabapentin and another drug with depressant effects (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, etc.) are at serious risk of significant adverse effects, and these individuals may require immediate medical attention.Gabapentin may cause respiratory depression when used alone or with other substances. It isn’t as easy to overdose on gabapentin as it is to overdose on more potent drugs like heroin, fentanyl, or oxycodone. However, an overdose is possible if someone takes far too many pills or combines the drug with another intoxicating substance.[2] Gabapentin-lactam (GBP-L) is a transformation product (TP) of gabapentin (GBP), a widely used anti-epileptic pharmaceutical. Due to its high persistence, GBP-L has been frequently detected in the surface water. However, the effects of GBP-L on aquatic organisms have not been thoroughly investigated. Conclusions: Gabapentin is considered very safe, with failure to absorb more than 3600mg. Abuse is rarely reported, with one suicide described despite its use by psychiatric patients. PRES has not been described, and neurotoxicity, including metabolic encephalopathy is usually described in dialysis or renally-impaired patients. So far, there have been only two peer-reviewed case reports of death[1][2]from gabapentin toxicity (related to gabapentin overdose). Despite this low statistic, gabapentin abuse as a suicide attempthas risen over the years. While this means gabapentin is a relatively safe drug, it still should not be ingested in large amounts. Klein-Schwartz W, Shepherd JG, Gorman S et al. Characterization of gabapentin overdose using a poison center case series. Journal of Toxicology-Clinical Toxicology 2003; 41(1):11-15. Lofton AL, Klein-Schwartz W. Evaluation of lamotrigine toxicity reported to poison centers. Annals of Pharmaotherapy 2004; 38:1811-1815. Common symptoms of gabapentin overdose are drowsiness, fast heartbeat, dizziness, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and impaired coordination. In severe cases, lethargy, coma, and death may occur. If someone takes too much gabapentin or takes gabapentin by accident, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. High doses of gabapentin can pose significant risks to health. As gabapentin becomes more widely prescribed, understanding its potential side effects is crucial. While this medication is often used to manage nerve pain and seizures, misuse and overdose can lead to severe consequences. Neurological Side Effects of Gabapentin Overdose Gabapentin concentration in the presence or absence of hydrocodone. The average blood gabapentin concentration in decedents with positive hydrocodone toxicology (n=12) was 11.98 μg/mL ± 2.52. The average blood concentration of gabapentin in decedents with negative hydrocodone toxicology (n=34) was 14.11 μg/mL ± 2.92. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsive medication that received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993 and has been available in generic form in the USA since 2004. Gabapentin was originally used as a muscle relaxant and an anti-spasmodic. However, it was later discovered that gabapentin has the potential of an anticonvulsive medication and can be used as an adjunct to more Postmortem toxicology tests detected gabapentin in almost 1 in 10 US overdose deaths between 2019 and 2020. In about half of the cases, a medical examiner or coroner ruled the drug was a cause of the death, according to a report from the CDC’s Division of Overdose Prevention. Gabapentin (Neurontin) carries a risk for abuse, can get you high if mixed with drugs, causes adverse side effects, and can lead to overdose. Get help today 888-744-0069 Helpline Information or sign up for 24/7 text support. Although a gabapentin overdose can usually be medically treated without significant complications, any type of drug overdose is dangerous. When it comes to people with specific conditions, such as liver or kidney problems, gabapentin OD can be life-threatening. Signs and Symptoms of Gabapentin Overdose. A gabapentin overdose can be dangerous or even deadly. Some factors can increase the risk of a fatal overdose, such as taking several substances at once. Gabapentin overdose symptoms can include: Drowsiness; Movement difficulties; Dizziness; Nausea or vomiting; Rapid heartbeat; Low blood pressure Gabapentin is generally safe and non-toxic, although there have been several published case reports of adverse effects with gabapentin including severe myopathy, severe myoclonus, neutropenia, hypoglycaemia episodes and altered consciousness. 3 The recommended dose of gabapentin in patients with creatinine clearance >60 ml/min is 1200 mg/day A gabapentin overdose is rare, but it is possible. The likelihood of an overdose increases when you abuse gabapentin with other drugs like opioids and alcohol. If you or someone you know is experiencing a gabapentin overdose, seek medical help immediately.
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