Gabapentin is a prescription medication that is provided under the brand name Neurontin. Medical professionals use it to treat conditions like restless leg syndrome, nerve pain, and seizures. Gabapentin works by decreasing abnormal activity in the brain and affecting gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).[1]
While gabapentin is not considered a controlled substance in most states, it is frequently misused. Some people take it in high doses or mix it with other drugs to experience a euphoric effect.
The half-life of gabapentin is between 5 and 7 hours, which means it can stay in your system for 35 hours.[2] Despite this, drug tests for gabapentin can detect it for a longer period. For example, urine screens can find gabapentin in your system for up to 3 days.
What you will learn:
- The effects of gabapentin and how long they last
- What is gabapentin’s half-life
- How gabapentin is metabolized
- How long can drug tests detect gabapentin
What are the Effects of Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and nerve pain medication. While it helps manage various medical conditions, it is often abused. Mixing gabapentin with substances like opioids can be dangerous, exposing you to a multitude of health risks.
The effects of gabapentin may include:[1]
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Tiredness or weakness
- Headaches
- Blurry vision or double vision
- Tremors and uncontrollable shaking
- Memory issues
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Dry mouth
- Changes in weight and appetite
It takes large doses of gabapentin to experience a mind-altering effect. If you are abusing gabapentin to get high, you could experience an overdose. Contact 911 if you experience symptoms like muscle weakness, lethargy, drooping eyes, or extreme sedation.[3]
What is the Half-Life of Gabapentin?
To understand how long gabapentin stays in the body, you need to know what a drug’s half-life is. The half-life explains how long your system takes to eliminate half of a dose. It can take up to 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to leave your body.
The half-life of gabapentin is between 5 to 7 hours.[2] It can take up to 35 hours for your body to eliminate it.
The amount of time gabapentin stays in your system can vary from person to person depending on certain factors. For example, the dose you take, how frequently you consume it, and your overall health can play a role in how long gabapentin remains in your body. People who take large doses of gabapentin might have it in their system longer than others.
Gabapentin is unique in that it is not metabolized by the liver, which sets it apart from many other medications. Instead, it is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and primarily excreted unchanged by the kidneys. People with kidney disease or poor kidney function may take longer to metabolize and eliminate gabapentin from their bodies.[4]
How Long Can Drug Tests Detect Gabapentin in Your System?
Standard drug tests do not detect gabapentin. They look for substances like cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, opioids, and phencyclidine. Specialized drug tests must be used to determine if you have recently abused gabapentin.
The amount of time that a drug test can detect gabapentin depends on the type of test being used. Hair follicle tests offer the longest window of detection, while urine screens are the most reliable.
Urine
Urine tests are the most frequently used type of drug test for a few reasons. First, they offer the most reliable results and are relatively cheap to use. Additionally, they are minimally invasive, making them ideal for a variety of situations.
Urine tests can detect gabapentin in your system for up to three days after your last dose.
Blood
Blood tests are not used as frequently as urine tests because they offer a shorter window of detection. They are also invasive as they require a blood draw. Hospitals might use them to determine if a substance is contributing to your symptoms.
Blood tests can find gabapentin in your system for five to seven hours after you last consumed it.
Saliva
Saliva tests are not effective for gabapentin testing. While they offer a short window of detection for most substances, gabapentin does not leave behind metabolites in the saliva.[5]
Hair
Hair tests are not used commonly for a variety of reasons. First, they are expensive to send off to the lab to be analyzed. Secondly, they tend to offer unreliable results because they can discriminate based on factors like hair color.
Despite this, many high-security clearance jobs use them before offering employment. Hair follicle drug testing can detect gabapentin in your system for 90 days after your last dose.[6]
Factors that Affect How Long Gabapentin Stays in the Body
Drugs affect everyone differently, and several factors influence how long gabapentin stays in the body:
- Kidney Function – Since gabapentin is excreted unchanged by the kidneys, impaired kidney function can slow its elimination, causing it to stay in the body longer. People with reduced kidney function may require lower doses to avoid accumulation.
- Dose – Higher doses of gabapentin can take longer to clear from the body. The absorption of the drug is also dose-dependent, with lower efficiency at higher doses.
- Age – Older adults may process and eliminate gabapentin more slowly due to decreased kidney function, which often declines with age.
- Frequency of Use – Taking gabapentin regularly can cause it to build up in the body, potentially prolonging how long it takes to be cleared.
- Hydration – Staying well-hydrated can help support kidney function and speed up the excretion of gabapentin.
Find Help for Gabapentin Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one suffers from gabapentin addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. Attending addiction treatment will prevent you from experiencing the long-term health risks of gabapentin abuse. Speak with an admissions counselor at PAX Memphis Recovery Center today to explore your treatment options.
References:
- Medline Plus: Gabapentin
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Neurontin Label
- Taylor and Francis Online: Characterization of gabapentin overdose using a poison center case series
- DailyMed: Neurontin-gabapentin
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Therapeutic drug monitoring of antiepileptic drugs by use of saliva
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Targeted analysis of 116 drugs in hair by UHPLC-MS/MS and its application to forensic cases