Gabapentin abuse has been reported and it includes staggering
or taking more than what is prescribed to achieve the feeling of “high”. Other
forms of abuse include chewing the pill into a powder and absorbed through
swallowing or through the lining of the mouth. Snorting a powderized Gabapentin
has also been reported.
Gabapentin (Neurontin) was one of the
world’s best selling drugs but 70 to 90 percent are due to off-label
exploitation. It has been prescribed for bipolar disorder, migraine, pain and
attention deficit syndrome. Due to high level of prescriptions, it is available
for consumption for anyone who needs it, even for those who intend to use it
for other means.
The abuse of this drug is due to off-label
prescriptions that are not approved by the FDA. Due to the high number of
prescriptions of this drug, it is very accessible to everyone, even to those
who abuse the drug.
Other people continue using Gabapentin to
avoid withdrawal symptoms. Due to this, drug tolerance happens and higher
dosage of this drug is taken which leads to drug dependence. This dependence
results to drug addiction in the long run. Abrupt cessation of the medicine
will result to seizure even if you don’t have one before and can aggravate
existing seizures.
If the Gabapentin
abuse is due to treat mood disorders, tardive dyskinesia or anxiety, there
might be a bigger problem. Very little studies have proven the effectiveness of
this drug to treat these ailments and the chances of drug addiction due to
improper use of this medicine is higher. The FDA has approved Gabapentin to use
as an added medication for control of partial seizure. Doctors are not held by
the FDA standards so they cannot be persecuted due to off-label prescription.
Patients should be diligent in dealing with medications such as this.
When you are already suffering from
Gabapentin addiction, your doctor can help you wean off the drug by gradually
lowering the dosage of the drug. The amount of time you will go through weaning
from the drug will depend on how long you have been abusing the drug and how
high is the dosage you are taking. The half life elimination of Gabapentin in
the system is five to seven hours. It usually takes two days for the drug to
clear off the system.
Like any other medication, Gabapentin is
not without side effects which include dizziness, drowsiness, problems with
coordination, infections, fever, nausea, vomiting, fluid retention or swelling
on the arms, legs, feet and hands and unusual eye movements. Other less common
side effects include tremor or shakiness, blurred vision or double vision,
fatigue or weakness, drying mouth, weight gain, sore throat, speech issues ad
nervousness.
During the weaning period, you must not
alter the prescribed dosage or take longer than prescribed as you are still at
risk of seizure. If you are switching to a different seizure medication to stop
Gabapentin abuse, you must not stop
until you reach an effective dose of your new medication to lower the risk of
seizure.
