Gabapentin doubles as a nerve pain and anticonvulsant medication.[1] Doctors might prescribe it to treat conditions like restless leg syndrome and seizures. Because it is a central nervous system depressant, it can cause sedation, decreased heart rate, and lowered blood pressure.
While gabapentin is generally considered safe, some people might abuse it. If you take it in high doses, you can experience a mind-altering effect that leads to addiction. Unfortunately, consuming large amounts of gabapentin also puts you at risk of life-threatening overdoses.
Signs of a gabapentin overdose might include labored breathing, slurred speech, vomiting, and coma. If emergency medical professionals are contacted soon enough, it can be treated through various methods like airway maintenance or supplemental oxygen. Additionally, those who have experienced a gabapentin overdose might want to consider attending addiction treatment to overcome their motivations for misusing the drug.
What you will learn:
- What is gabapentin?
- Can you overdose on gabapentin?
- What are the signs of a gabapentin overdose?
- How is overdose treated?
What is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is used to treat nerve pain and seizures. While taking large doses of it can produce mind-altering effects, you will not get high if you consume the recommended dose. In other words, gabapentin is not prescribed in a manner that would pose a risk of addiction. That said, 40 to 65% of people with a gabapentin prescription misuse the substance. Gabapentin abuse is also common among people who misuse opioids, at about 22%.[2]
The possible side effects of gabapentin include:[1]
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Tiredness
- Feelings of weakness
- Headaches
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Coordination issues
- Anxiety and strange thoughts
- Memory issues
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth and heartburn
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Weight gain due to increased appetite
- Back aches and joint pain
If you or a loved one suffers from gabapentin addiction, you should seek help from a substance abuse treatment center. These programs can help you overcome withdrawal symptoms, address the root causes of addiction, and avoid experiencing a drug overdose.
Can You Overdose on Gabapentin?
If you start to take large doses of gabapentin to experience mind-altering effects, you will eventually develop an addiction. Signs of addiction include being unable to control how much you use, experiencing cravings, and suffering from withdrawal symptoms when you stop using gabapentin.
As your addiction progresses, you will start taking more and more gabapentin to combat tolerance. Unfortunately, this puts you at risk of experiencing an overdose. The maximum daily dose of gabapentin is 2400mg.[3]
It is also common to mix gabapentin with other substances to increase the potency of the effects you experience. Unfortunately, people often combine opioids with gabapentin. According to the CDC, up to 90% of gabapentin overdose deaths involve opioids.[4]
What are the Symptoms of a Gabapentin Overdose?
If you or a loved one suffers from gabapentin abuse, you should be aware of the symptoms of overdose. Knowing this information will help you seek emergency medical services in ample time to prevent life-threatening effects.
The signs and symptoms of a gabapentin overdose include:[5]
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Vision changes like double or blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of coordination and ataxia
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid or labored breathing
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Coma and death
If someone is displaying the symptoms of a gabapentin overdose, contact 911 immediately. Without medical intervention, the effects could quickly become life-threatening.
How is Gabapentin Overdose Treated?
Gabapentin overdose treatment can vary depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. Your first step is contacting 911. Once paramedics arrive, they will assess your symptoms and ask questions to determine what method of treatment to use.
If you are unable to breathe, you will receive airway maintenance and oxygen. Severe cases require ventilation assistance.
If you have not reached the point of being unable to breathe, you will require activated charcoal. This causes your body to expel the substance before it causes life-threatening effects.
Lastly, if you did not receive medical care in time, you could slip into a coma. In this case, you would receive medical assistance that keeps you stable while you are in a coma. Medical professionals will assess your condition to determine if you can wake up.
As you can see, gabapentin overdoses can be extremely serious. If you or a loved one takes high doses of gabapentin regularly, you should contact a drug rehab program. Doing so could prevent you from experiencing a life-threatening overdose.
Find Help for Gabapentin Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one suffers from gabapentin abuse, it’s time to seek professional help. Gabapentin addiction can lead to several risks, including physical and mental health issues, financial problems, legal trouble, and life-threatening overdoses. Because of this, you should always receive treatment from a drug and alcohol rehab center.
At PAX Memphis, we can connect you with an addiction treatment center that suits your needs. Contact us today to learn more about how to get started.
References:
- Medline Plus: Gabapentin
- Wiley Online Library: Gabapentin misuse, abuse and diversion: a systematic review
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Gabapentin Label
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Trends in Gabapentin Detection and Involvement in Drug Overdose Deaths
- Jama Network: Gabapentin Increasingly Implicated in Overdose Deaths