People can report adverse drug reactions to the FDA at 800-FDA-1088 or through MedWatch. If the symptoms do not improve in 5–15 minutes, or they come back, use a second pen if the person has one. Gabapentin can interact with other prescription methamphetamine oral route side effects and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Studies suggest that some people may experience thoughts of suicide or exhibit suicidal behaviors when taking gabapentin or other anticonvulsants.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before starting gabapentin?
Gabapentin can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up. Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicine. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.
Can You Overdose on Gabapentin?
Although it has a structure similar to GABA, it does not bind to GABA receptors or influence the synthesis or uptake of GABA. If you are directed to break the 600 or 800 mg tablets in half as part of your dose, the extra half tablet should be used for the next dose. If you have not used the extra half tablet within 28 days, it should be thrown away. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.
What to Do if You Overdose on Gabapentin
Preventing a Gabapentin overdose is crucial for patient safety and involves several strategies aimed at reducing risk. Due to the risk of seizures, especially if the patient has abruptly discontinued Gabapentin, seizure precautions should be implemented, and anticonvulsants may be administered as needed. Supportive care for Gabapentin overdose focuses on maintaining respiratory function and cardiovascular stability and ensuring that the patient is protected from self-harm.
Never hesitate to ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about gabapentin. Postmortem toxicology tests detected gabapentin in almost 1 in 10 US overdose deaths between 2019 and 2020. In about half of the cases, a medical examiner or coroner ruled the drug was a cause of the death, according to a report from the CDC’s Division of Overdose Prevention. Gabapentin was believed to be a factor in 2,975 of these 5,687 deaths (52.3%). An overwhelming majority of these deaths — around 90% — also involved opioids like fentanyl.
- Not only is it dangerous to take gabapentin with alcohol, but overdose can also occur if the person takes it with opioids, which are also depressants.
- Rare cases of overdose-related adverse effects have been reported in the literature.
- Any tablet that has been broken should be used as soon as possible or within a few days.
- Although it has a structure similar to GABA, it does not bind to GABA receptors or influence the synthesis or uptake of GABA.
It is clear, however, that the risk of overdose from the drug is higher if a person also has a mental health condition such as depression. In your situation, your dose far exceeds the maximum recommended daily dose, which is 3,600mg (given as divided doses throughout the day). Even then, dosages of 3600 mg/day have only been studied in a limited number of patients for a relatively short duration of time.
It is important to note that gabapentin overdose can be particularly dangerous when combined with other substances, especially opioids, which may significantly increase the risk of fatal outcomes. Identifying the symptoms of a gabapentin overdose is crucial for timely medical intervention. Overdose can manifest through a range of symptoms https://sober-house.org/art-therapy-for-addiction-benefits-techniques-how/ that reflect the drug’s depressant effects on the central nervous system. Gabapentin, a medication approved for the management of epilepsy and neuropathic pain, has seen a rise in misuse and recreational use, leading to increased risks of overdose. If you forget to take a dose of gabapentin, take it as soon as you remember.
Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries. Some individuals may experience depression, exhibiting symptoms such as persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, or feelings of hopelessness. Research has documented that Gabapentin, particularly when misused or taken in large quantities, can lead to a state of lethargy characterized by drooping eyelids and labored breathing.
When patients stop taking these drugs abruptly, they can experience withdrawal symptoms. They often start taking them again in order to feel “better,” when in reality their improved feeling is simply the withdrawal symptoms abating. A 2016 study also suggests that gabapentin combined with oxycontin, which is an opioid pain reliever, can help control pain and increase the quality of life for people with severe cancer pain.
During that period, there were 62,652 overdose deaths, of which 58,362 had documented toxicology results. Gabapentin was judged to contribute to overdose death in 52.3% of those deaths—or 5.0% of the total deaths from overdose. This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect gabapentin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Any tablet that has been broken should be used as soon as possible or within a few days. Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using gabapentin. Gabapentin is in a class of how long does ecstasy last medications called anticonvulsants. Reynolds, Kimberly; et al. “Trends in gabapentin and baclofen exposu[…]U.S. Poison centers.” Journal of Clinical Toxicology, December 1, 2019.
Seek emergency medical attention if you have very slow breathing. Different brands of gabapentin are not interchangeable and they are FDA approved for different conditions. Use only the brand and form of gabapentin your doctor has prescribed. Check your medicine each time you get a refill to make sure you receive the correct form.