Yes, recreational drugs can affect the way gabapentin works in the body and may increase the risk of side effects.
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant used to treat nerve pain, seizures, and sometimes anxiety disorders. When combined with certain recreational drugs, gabapentin’s effects and risks can be amplified or altered. Here are some potential interactions:
- Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants (e.g., alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines): Gabapentin has sedative effects and can increase CNS depression. Combining it with other depressants can cause excessive drowsiness, dizziness, respiratory depression, and even lead to overdose.
- Stimulants (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines): Stimulants may mask some of gabapentin’s sedative effects, making it hard to gauge the amount needed. This can lead to overuse and increase the risk of serious side effects, including seizures and heart complications.
- Cannabis: Combining cannabis with gabapentin may increase the risk of drowsiness, confusion, and dizziness. It could impair motor skills and cognitive function more than using either substance alone.
- Hallucinogens (e.g., LSD, psilocybin): Gabapentin can heighten the effects of some hallucinogens, leading to unpredictable or potentially dangerous psychological effects.
- Gabapentin Misuse and Dependency: While gabapentin is not typically considered addictive, there is some evidence that it can lead to dependency, especially when used with other drugs or in high doses.
Gabapentin can intensify the highs of recreational drugs like heroin.So, if you use recreational drugs alongside gabapentin, there may be more chance of unpleasant side effects like panic attacks, anxiety and memory loss.
What Can Psychiatrists Do?
There are actions psychiatrists can take to reduce the use of gabapentin:
•Educate patients: Engaging in open and honest discussions with patients about the risks and benefits of gabapentin is essential. Patients should be made aware of the potential for abuse, dependence, and overdose. They should also be educated about proper medication storage and disposal.
•Screen patients for substance use disorders and other medications: Before prescribing gabapentin, psychiatrists should routinely screen patients for substance use disorders and reconcile any medications the patient may be taking which may lead to deleterious interactions.
•Prescribe first-line medications: Before prescribing gabapentin, psychiatrists should prioritize the use of evidence-based first-line medications for specific symptoms and conditions. Superior agents exist for managing common issues such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, pain, and mood disorders, and should be considered as primary treatment options.
•Consider alternative pain management strategies: Psychiatrists should consider adopting multimodal pain management strategies, especially for chronic pain conditions. Combining non-opioid medications, physical therapies, and psychological interventions can often lead to better outcomes while minimizing reliance on a single medication.
•Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of gabapentin: Psychiatrists should periodically assess the effectiveness of gabapentin treatment. If the desired outcomes are not achieved within six months, alternative treatment options or adjustments to the treatment plan should be explored.
•Report adverse events: Psychiatrists should report adverse events related to gabapentin. Such information will contribute to a better understanding of the safety profile of the medication and help regulatory agencies take appropriate measures if needed.