Can You Overdose on Gabapentin?

Gabapentin, a medication prescribed for nerve pain and seizures, has gained attention in recent years due to risks of misuse, prompting many to wonder, “Can you overdose on gabapentin?” Although considered less risky than opioids, gabapentin can still be dangerous, especially when combined with other substances.

This page outlines how gabapentin works, how long does gabapentin stay in your system, how an overdose might happen, and what steps to take in an emergency. You will also learn how to get compassionate, evidence-based treatment for substance abuse.

What is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is a CNS (central nervous system) depressant, which means it slows brain activity and bodily functions. While this calming effect can help treat conditions like nerve pain or seizures, it becomes risky when gabapentin is combined with other depressants like alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium. Combining these substances can intensify the effects of gabapentin, leadig to breathing difficulties, extreme drowsiness, and unconsciousness.

Research shows that gabapentin is more likely to contribute to an overdose death when it’s taken with opioids, such as prescription painkillers, heroin, or fentanyl. [2] These two drugs together can amplify each other’s effects, slowing breathing to dangerously low levels. In some cases, this combination can trigger respiratory depression—when breathing nearly or completely stops.

Gabapentin Overdose: Precautions & Interactions

Gabapentin is often seen as a safer option than many strong pain medications, but it carries risks and dangers. When taken at high doses or mixed with other drugs, the potential for overdose and severe side effects increases [1]. Knowing which substances interact with gabapentin can help prevent adverse outcomes.

The most common substances that interact with gabapentin include:

• Alcohol: Can you overdose on gabapentin and alcohol? Drinking alcohol while on gabapentin can quickly increase the risk of overdose because both are CNS depressants. Alcohol can also release gabapentin into the bloodstream rapidly, making its effects hit harder and faster than intended.
• Opioids: Can you overdose on gabapentin and opioids? Used to manage pain, opioids mixed with gabapentin increase the risk of life-threatening breathing problems. This combination can also provoke confusion and severe drowsiness, making it difficult for someone to seek help in distress.
• Benzos: Can you overdose on gabapentin and benzodiazepines? Like gabapentin, benzos are sometimes prescribed for anxiety and sleep issues. When taken with gabapentin, they create a strong sedative effect that can make someone drowsy and potentially bring about respiratory issues [3].

To stay safe while taking gabapentin, stick to your doctor’s instructions and avoid increasing the dose unless recommended. Even small changes in the dosage can raise the risk of severe side effects or gabapentin OD. Never mix gabapentin with alcohol, opioids, or sedatives unless instructed by your healthcare provider. Doing so increases the risk of serious interactions that may lead to an overdose. Keep an eye out for gabapentin toxicity symptoms like sleepiness, slowed breathing, or confusion, as these could be early indicators of a potential overdose.

Being cautious with gabapentin and knowing which substances to avoid when taking the medication can help prevent life-threatening situations and ensure the drug is used safely.

What to Do for a Gabapentin Overdose

If someone may be experiencing a gabapentin overdose, acting quickly can make a life-saving difference. Gabapentin toxicity requires emergency attention, especially if other substances like alcohol or opioids are involved. Here’s what to do in case of a suspected overdose:

• Watch for signs of overdose: Common signs of gabapentin overdose include severe drowsiness, breathing problems, nausea, vomiting, and loss of muscle control.
• Call 911 immediately: If you believe someone has overdosed on gabapentin, contact emergency services right away. Emergency responders are equipped to provide life-saving treatments and can transport the individual to a hospital for further care.
• Check breathing and airway: Ensure that the person’s airway is clear and that they are breathing. If they are not breathing or breathing is very shallow, this is a medical emergency. If you’re trained in CPR, be prepared to administer it if necessary.
• Place the person in the recovery position: If the individual is conscious but breathing, lay them on their side with one arm and one leg bent to prevent choking if they vomit.
• Inform first responders of any substances taken: When help arrives, inform emergency responders about any medications, alcohol, or other substances the person may have used. This will help inform proper treatment.
• Stay calm and reassure the person: If the person is still conscious, keep them calm. Reassure them that help is on the way and encourage them to stay awake and alert.

Upon arrival at the emergency room, the medical team will assess the severity of the overdose and may use several treatments to stabilize the person. Treatments may include:

• Respiratory support: If breathing is slow or has stopped, a ventilator may ensure the person gets oxygen.
• Activated charcoal or stomach pumping: In some cases, a doctor may use methods to remove any remaining gabapentin from the stomach.
• IV fluids: Dehydration can be treated with intravenous fluids to support the body’s recovery.

Gabapentin overdose treatment may also involve close monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure, as well as medications to manage other symptoms. With prompt medical intervention, the chances of recovery increase significantly.

Acting quickly and knowing what to do can save a life during a gabapentin overdose. 

Gabapentin Abuse

Gabapentin is prescribed to treat conditions like nerve pain and seizures, but it has increasingly become a drug of misuse. While gabapentin is not as highly regulated as opioids, its calming effects can lead people to misuse it, either by taking larger doses than directed or combining it with other substances to increase its effects.

People who misuse this medication often do so to experience feelings of calm, relaxation, or mild euphoria. Some describe the feeling as similar to that of marijuana, with increased relaxation and sociability. Gabapentin’s effects on the brain’s calming neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) may play a role in these experiences [4]. That said, misuse can quickly lead to physical and psychological dependence, especially when combined with other substances.

For those already using opioids or other CNS depressants, gabapentin is sometimes added to enhance the sedative effects. This trend is concerning because combining gabapentin with opioids can amplify the risk of respiratory depression [5]. This makes the risk of overdose more likely. In some places, gabapentin has developed street names like gabbies or johnnies, signaling its increased prevalence as a substance of misuse.

Risks of gabapentin misuse include:

• Respiratory depression
• Dizziness
• Lack of coordination
• Irritability
• Mood changes
• Memory problems
• Focus issues
• Dependence and withdrawal symptoms

Signs that someone might be misusing gabapentin include taking larger doses than prescribed, doctor shopping to get more prescriptions, combining gabapentin with other substances, and experiencing cravings for the drug. If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, it might be time to consider seeking help or exploring treatment options to address misuse and reduce the risk of overdose.

Medical Detox and Addiction Treatment for Gabapentin Withdrawal

For people who have developed a dependence on gabapentin, stopping use can lead to withdrawal symptoms that are both uncomfortable and potentially risky. Medical detox, combined with structured addiction treatment, can streamline recovery and help build skills for long-term recovery.

Gabapentin withdrawal can occur when someone who has been misusing the drug stops taking it suddenly. Since gabapentin affects the CNS, withdrawal symptoms can be physical and mental, and they can vary depending on how long the person has been using the drug, the dose, and any other substances involved. Common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Sleep disturbances
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Seizures

These symptoms can make it challenging to quit gabapentin without support, as they may cause the person to feel unwell and lead them to resume use to relieve discomfort.

Medical detox offers a safe and supervised environment where individuals can go through withdrawal with medical assistance. During detox, healthcare professionals monitor vital signs, manage symptoms, and provide treatments that make the process more manageable. A gradual tapering approach, where the dose is slowly reduced over time, is often used in medical detox to reduce withdrawal symptoms and minimize discomfort.

After completing detox, many people benefit from continued addiction treatment to address the root causes of gabapentin misuse and develop healthy coping strategies. Some treatment options include:

• CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy): CBT helps people identify thoughts and behaviors contributing to misuse and teaches ways to replace them with healthier choices.
• Group therapy: Connecting with others who have similar experiences can be incredibly supportive, helping individuals feel less alone in their recovery journey.
• MAT (medication-assisted treatment): In some cases, medication can be part of a recovery plan to help manage cravings and reduce the risk of relapse.

Get Immediate Help for Substance Abuse at a Premier Rehab in California

If you need help addressing gabapentin abuse, contact California Detox today. We treat all addictions, including prescription drug addiction, at our luxury rehab in Laguna Beach, CA.

When you choose medical detox at our beachside facility, you will taper off gabapentin under close supervision to streamline the withdrawal process. You can then move into ongoing inpatient treatment to address the psychological side of prescription drug misuse.

The unique aspect of all addictions means all treatment plans at California Detox are personalized. Therapies may include:

• MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
• Counseling
• Talk therapies
• Family therapy
• Holistic treatment
• Group therapy
• Aftercare

For immediate assistance tackling gabapentin misuse, call 888-995-4208.

Sources

[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30731020/

[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5626029/

[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9904085/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526124/

[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5626029/