About Gabapentin Encarbil - also known as Neurontin, Horizant and Gralise
Can Neurontin get you high?
Gabapentin Encarbil, Also known as Neurontin, Horizant, or Gralise, (hereafter referred to as Gabapentinoids) is a new recreational drug of choice, that’s alarmingly abused by addicts. New data is available on it’s high. As far back as 2012, a study reported that abuse of gabapentin to get high was on the rise.
Recreational users take it for its calming, relaxing, euphoric effects and the high it produces. The sharp increase in requests for gabapentin prescriptions suggests that gabapentin abuse has increased.
On the 19th of December 2019, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that serious breathing difficulties may occur in patients using gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) who have breathing risk factors. This includes the use of opioid pain medicines such as Tramadol and other drugs that are central nervous system depressants. This warning includes conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchitis that reduce lung function.
The FDA requires new warnings to be added on the packaging about the risk of respiratory depression, to the information of gabapentinoids. The FDA required the drug manufacturers to conduct clinical trials to evaluate their abuse potential, particularly together with opioids (such as Tramadol), because misuse and abuse of these products together are increasing, and co-use may increase the risk of respiratory depression.
Recreational users said the drug has stimulant effects that “just keep you wanting to move.” Other users said it has a calming effect, “relaxes your body,” and “helps with rest.”
They said they were most likely to get gabapentin from family, friends, or prescriptions from their physician. Drug addicts report combining gabapentin with heroin as it’s believed to increase heroin’s potency.
Is Gabapentin for Anxiety?
Some people take Neurontin on an “as-needed” basis for anxiety or sleep.
It’s used often to treat psychiatric conditions such as general anxiety disorder (GAD)
It’s also prescribed for other psychiatric conditions, such as bipolar disorder, and attention deficit disorder. Gabapentin is available as an extended-release preparation which is for treating restless leg syndrome
The danger of Gabapentin withdrawal
The most common symptom was agitation, occurring in about half of the recorded cases. Confusion and disorientation were the next most common symptoms, followed by:
- Anxiety or depression
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Changes in appetite
- Crying spells
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Itching
- Muscle pain or spasms
- Abdominal pain
- Sweating
- High blood pressure
- Tremors
- palpitation
- Seizures
- Suicidal ideation
Withdrawal seizures can be dangerous and cause injury or even death, while suicidal thoughts (or ideation) are always a cause for concern.
It’s wise to consult a doctor before going off Neurontin, whether the medication has been prescribed or not. It may even be necessary to stay in a hospital setting for observation during the worst of the withdrawal period.
What happens when you take Gabapentin and alcohol together?
It’s not advisable to mix Gabapentin and alcohol, because Gabapentin magnifies the effect of alcohol so it’s easier to get drunk.
Recent Research (September 2019) recorded drowsiness, dizziness, and a hard time concentrating as a few of the side effects that can occur when drinking alcohol while taking Neurontin. The mixture can cause euphoria, and calmness, but can also cause headaches, anxiety, and loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, memory loss, and drowsiness. This can be a dangerous mix due to the risk of injury.
In other words, avoid combining gabapentin and alcohol at all costs
Gabapentin dosages to get high
A common question is how much Neurontin to use to get high?
The “usual” prescribed daily dose is about 1 800mg. As with many drug users, tolerance can increase which means that more of a substance is needed to get any effect. Some users report taking up to 5,000 milligrams at once, which is nearly 2.5 times the usual prescribed daily dose. At those high doses, gabapentin, like many other anti-seizure medications, may produce exaggerated adverse effects, including, seizures.
Can you overdose on Gabapentin?
You can overdose on Neurontin when used with other drugs like heroin. A publication from “dentistryiq.com” mentions that in 2016, the state of Kentucky released data gathered from autopsies performed on people who died of drug overdoses.
This revealed the presence of Neurontin alongside deadly opioids such as heroin and fentanyl.
In fact, gabapentin was the most frequently detected substance in these autopsies. Even when used for legitimate reasons, gabapentin taken in combination with opioids (called stacking) increases the risk of respiratory depression and death.”
A 2011 -report by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, published here by the National Center for Biotechnology Information believes that the first published report of a death due solely to gabapentin toxicity was a post mortem on a 62-year-old woman whose death was caused by intentional ingestion of excess gabapentin.
In July 2017, a report in Kaiser Health News detailed the dangers of recreational drug users taking high doses of Neurontin along with opioids, a practice called “stacking”
Is Gabapentin addictive?
Is there such a thing as Neurontin addiction?
The answer is yes. Some people have become addicted to gabapentin after taking it for a long time. If this happens, you’ll have withdrawal symptoms after you stop taking. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about becoming addicted to the drug.
Tramadol and Gabapentin
The medication Gabapentin (Neurontin) has been considered a safe, non-addictive alternative to opioid painkillers like Tramadol.
Using pain medications such as Tramadol together with other medications that also cause central nervous system depression, like gabapentin, can lead to serious respiratory distress, coma, and even death. Always talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Recently, though, law enforcement and health care professionals witnessed a spike in the number of arrests and hospital visits associated with gabapentin abuse and people only using it to get high.
“We started hearing from pharmacists about people trying to get early refills. That’s usually a sign that something is being abused,” executive director of the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, Van Ingram, told NBC News.
Gabapentin for neuropathy
Nerve pain, or Neuralgia, is a stabbing, burning, and often severe pain due to an irritated or damaged nerve. Gabapentin is prescribed because it relieves the pain by changing the way the body senses pain.
It is also used at bedtime to relieve nerve pain from shingles (a painful rash due to herpes zoster infection) in adults.
Colleen
