Gabapentin is a medicine that doctors prescribe to treat types of epilepsy and nerve pain. But you cannot trust the contents or strength of gabapentin sold in the illegal drug market.
Gabapentin comes as tablets or capsules that people swallow.
The information on this page is about non-medical use of gabapentin. To learn more about a medicine prescribed to you, ask your GP or pharmacist. You can also check the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What we mean by non-medical use of a medicine
Non-medical use is when someone uses a medicine in a way that does not follow medical guidelines.
This can include when someone uses a medicine:
- they bought in the illegal drug market - this can be online or in person
- that was not prescribed to them
- in a different way or quantity than their doctor prescribed
Other names for gabapentin
Other names include: gabbies, Neurontin
Effects of gabapentin
The effects of gabapentin can vary depending on:
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
How you may feel or behave
You may feel:
- relaxed or calm
- confused
- intense wellbeing or happiness (euphoria)
Effects on your brain and body
Gabapentin may cause:
- dizziness
- problems with attention or memory
- drowsiness or tiredness
- diarrhoea
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting (getting sick)
- increased blood pressure
- problems sleeping
- weight gain
- blurred vision
- dry mouth
- erection problems
- headaches
- more frequent infections
- hallucinations - you see, hear or feel things that are not there
Gabapentin and mental health
Gabapentin can cause:
- low mood or depression
- mood swings
- anxiety
- thoughts of suicide
People may use gabapentin to help with anxiety. But gabapentin is not approved for this use.
A doctor will only prescribe it in this way if:
- other treatments do not work
- the benefits outweigh any risks
Contact your GP if you find it hard to cope with anxiety.
Gabapentin and dependency
Regular use of gabapentin can cause:
- tolerance - when you need to take more of the drug to get the same effects
- dependency
Signs of dependency can include:
- cravings for a drug
- withdrawal symptoms
- continuing to use a drug even when it causes you harm
Tolerance to gabapentin can happen quickly.
Withdrawal symptoms
If you stop taking gabapentin after regular use, you can get withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
- problems sleeping
- anxiety or feelings of panic
If you want to stop taking gabapentin, you can get support from:
- your GP or practice nurse
- a pharmacist
- a drug and alcohol service
How long does gabapentin stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long gabapentin stays in your system.
There are tests to detect gabapentin. But different types of tests have different detection times.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health
Reducing risks from gabapentin
It’s always safest not to take drugs or medicines that are not prescribed to you.
The strength and contents of gabapentin sold in the illegal drug market can vary. This can happen even if the tablets are packaged like a medicine.
There are ways to reduce the risk of harm if you take gabapentin without medical advice. Select a piece of advice to find out more.
Consider if there is extra risk for you - such as health conditions or how you feel.
There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.
If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.
For example, if you have kidney problems.
It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.
If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.
Be with people you trust and look out for each other - do not use alone.
Pick a meeting point and know what to do in case of an emergency.
Use a buddy system if possible.
Prepare a plan with your buddy on what to do in case of an emergency.
This may be that you both agree to:
- learn the signs of an overdose
- use naloxone in an opioid emergency
- call the emergency services
- stay with the other person until help arrives
Start with a small amount and wait 2 hours before you take more.
This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency. The contents or strength of drugs can vary, even in the same batch. The dose on the tablet may not be accurate.
If you start with a small amount, you can:
- see how you react
- stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want
For example, a quarter of a pill.
It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risk.
Stay in a safe place away from risks such as heights, roads or water.
This is to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Gabapentin can affect your control of your body and make you less aware of your surroundings.
Consider less risky ways of using if you inject gabapentin.
Tablets contain ingredients to hold the tablet together or add bulk. These ingredients can cause damage or infections in your veins, heart or lungs.
Plan a safe way to get home.
It is dangerous to drive if drugs are in your system. You could harm yourself or other people. A drug can still be in your system even if you do not feel the effects.
Only use 1 substance at a time.
Using gabapentin with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects. Mixing drugs is always more risky.
Get and carry naloxone if you use opioids.
Naloxone is a prescription medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids. It can help prevent death from an overdose.
If you are at risk of an opioid overdose, you can get a naloxone kit through your GP or other services.
Give a naloxone kit to another person - this could be a family member, friend or someone who is around you when you use.
You may need an extra dose of naloxone if someone takes a nitazene instead of another opioid.
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
An overdose can be a life-threatening condition. It happens when someone has too much of a drug or another substance in their system.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Find more ways to reduce risks from drugs.
Mixing gabapentin with alcohol or other drugs
Using gabapentin with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and dangerous effects.
There is a high risk of overdose or death if you mix gabapentin with drugs that slow down messages between the brain and the body.
For example:
- alcohol
- benzodiazepines
- opioids such as heroin
- methadone
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else takes gabapentin and has:
- severe confusion
- severe drowsiness or problems staying awake
- cold and clammy skin - white skin may turn blue, black or brown skin may turn grey
- problems breathing
- hallucinations
- thoughts of suicide
Stay with the person until help arrives.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them any leftover drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
If you are worried about gabapentin use
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can get support. This can be when gabapentin use affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie