Gabapentin: What You Need to Know!

What is it?

Approved by the FDA to treat epilepsy and neuropathy, nerve pain, but is being prescribed for off label purposes; such as insomnia and anxiety.
It is a schedule VI, which means it is not labeled as a controlled substance.
Considered non-addictive
Not an opioid, but affects the brain and nervous system by blocking electrical activity in the brain.¹
Not an opioid, but affects the brain and nervous system by blocking electrical activity in the brain.¹

Why it is a problem?

Prescribed in large quantities to a vast number of people
It is being promoted as an alternative to opioids.
It can enhance the euphoria caused by an opioid and lessen withdrawal symptoms.
It bypasses the blocking effect of some medications used for addiction treatment so that patients can still get that high while in recovery¹.
It is cheap and can be cut with other street drugs.
Gabapentin is not always tested for in drug screenings.
GoodRX reported it to be the most prescribed medication in 2017.

What is being done?

In June 2017, the Virginia Board of Pharmacy added it to the prescription monitoring program, which is used to track controlled substance prescriptions.²