Abstract
Background: Gabapentin and pregabalin were developed for epilepsy and neuropathic pain. They work via voltage-gated calcium channels and are used for broad-spectrum diagnoses, e.g., epilepsy, neuropathic pain, other chronic pain syndromes, anxiety disorders, alcohol-drug withdrawal syndromes, agitation, insomnia, etc. Especially in a world dealing with the opioid crisis, gabapentinoids were considered safer alternatives to opioid analgesics.
Methods: This review aims to comprehensively search and summarize recent studies concerning the abuse of gabapentinoids published between 2021 and 2022 from various regions around the world.
Results: Studies have highlighted that a history of substance use disorder is a significant risk factor for gabapentinoid abuse. Concurrent abuse of gabapentinoids with illicit drugs can exacerbate drug-related damages. Drug screening and postmortem toxicology tests have revealed an increase in gabapentinoid consumption. In response to the abuse potential, several countries have classified gabapentinoids as controlled substances.
Conclusion: Gabapentinoids are highly abused molecules worldwide. Physicians should be aware of their abuse potential.
Current Drug Research Reviews
Title:A Hidden Pandemic? Abuse of Gabapentinoids: A Brief Review of Recent Studies
Volume: 16
Author(s): Gamze Zengin İspir*, Mustafa Danışman and Kübra Sezer Katar
Affiliation:
- Alcohol and Drug Treatment and Research Center, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Abstract: Background: Gabapentin and pregabalin were developed for epilepsy and neuropathic pain. They work via voltage-gated calcium channels and are used for broad-spectrum diagnoses, e.g., epilepsy, neuropathic pain, other chronic pain syndromes, anxiety disorders, alcohol-drug withdrawal syndromes, agitation, insomnia, etc. Especially in a world dealing with the opioid crisis, gabapentinoids were considered safer alternatives to opioid analgesics.
Methods: This review aims to comprehensively search and summarize recent studies concerning the abuse of gabapentinoids published between 2021 and 2022 from various regions around the world.
Results: Studies have highlighted that a history of substance use disorder is a significant risk factor for gabapentinoid abuse. Concurrent abuse of gabapentinoids with illicit drugs can exacerbate drug-related damages. Drug screening and postmortem toxicology tests have revealed an increase in gabapentinoid consumption. In response to the abuse potential, several countries have classified gabapentinoids as controlled substances.
Conclusion: Gabapentinoids are highly abused molecules worldwide. Physicians should be aware of their abuse potential.
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Cite this article as:
İspir Zengin Gamze*, Danışman Mustafa and Katar Sezer Kübra, A Hidden Pandemic? Abuse of Gabapentinoids: A Brief Review of Recent Studies, Current Drug Research Reviews 2024; 16 () . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0125899775268780231002064605
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0125899775268780231002064605 |
Print ISSN 2589-9775 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2589-9783 |
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