title: Gabapentin: can it be misused?
abstract: Gabapentin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid analog drug, appears to be safe and efficacious for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Gabapentin is not a controlled drug, but there are anecdotal reports of its misuse and abuse as well as reports of withdrawal symptoms associated with abrupt discontinuation. The risk of gabapentin misuse is inconsistent, the magnitude of the risk is small, and the risk is not comparable to the much higher risks associated with alcohol use; benzodiazepine, opioid, and stimulant drug use; or illicit drug use. Reports of gabapentin misuse are not unique to this drug, as misuse of prescription medications not typically considered "drugs of abuse" can also occur.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Howland
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D061891:Controlled Substances / Q000145:classification; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D061891:Controlled Substances; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin