title: Gabapentin for Substance Use Disorders: Is it Safe and Appropriate?
abstract: Gabapentin is effective for the treatment of alcohol dependence and can be used for treating anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and/or pain in patients who have comorbid substance use disorders (SUDs) or who are at high risk of substance abuse. Deaths from unintentional drug overdoses are increasing, are the leading cause of injury death in the United States, and are mostly attributable to prescription drugs, in particular opioid agents. Compared to other psychotropic drugs, gabapentin is not especially harmful or lethal. Gabapentin misuse is possible, similar to other medications not typically considered drugs of abuse, but it should be considered safe and appropriate for use in patients with all types of SUDs, including patients who take opioid drugs.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Howland
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012449:Safety; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin