Non-opioid medications such as gabapentin are frequently prescribed for the management of pain.
A retrospective study of the National Poison Data System (data collected by the U.S. Poison Centers) from 2013 – 2017 showed increasing trend of gabapentin exposure.
Gabapentin exposure increased between 2013 and 2017 by:
Total exposure: 72.3%
Isolated intentional suicide attempt: 80.5%
Isolated exposure: 67.1%
Isolated intentional abuse/misuse: 119.9%
5 most commonly co-ingested substances with gabapentin
Sedative-hypnotic: 22.9%
Antidepressant: 12.7%
Antihypertensive: 9.9%
Opioid: 9.0%
Antipsychotics: 6.3%
16.7% of the isolated gabapentin exposure required hospitalization.
Conclusion:
Gabapentin abuse/misuse and ingestion with self-harm intent is increasing in the U.S.
