title: Gabapentin overdose in a military beneficiary.
abstract: We report the case of a 59-year-old military beneficiary that presented to the emergency department after ingesting approximately 90 g of gabapentin immediate-release capsules during a deliberate self-harm attempt. Her serum gabapentin level was 72.8 mcg/mL approximately 3 hours after ingestion. Her renal function panel, complete blood count, and liver function panel were normal. Her urine drug screen, aspirin, ethanol, and acetaminophen level were negative. Her electrocardiogram was normal, including a normal QTc interval. Her only symptoms were nausea and mild sedation. She was admitted for observation with no sequelae noted. She was transferred to a psychiatric facility at that time for further evaluation and treatment. We report a case of gabapentin overdose that presented to the emergency department. Given the large volume ingestion with minimal morbidity, it appears that gabapentin has a wide therapeutic margin and may be safe in overdose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, San Antonio Military Medical Center-North, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
authors.forename: Steven G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Schauer
authors.forename: Shawn M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Varney
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000506:poisoning*; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000506:poisoning; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000506:poisoning*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000506:poisoning*
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin