ABSTRACT
The anticonvulsant drug gabapentin is used off-label to treat alcohol-related withdrawal, cravings, anxiety, and insomnia. Although it is well tolerated and has demonstrated efficacy for mild alcohol withdrawal and early abstinence, there is concern about its potential for abuse. Gabapentin should be prescribed only as a second-line alternative to standard therapies, and only after screening for opioid or other prescription drug abuse to determine if heightened monitoring is warranted. Clinicians should be aware of gabapentin’s limitations for treating alcohol use disorder and be attentive to emerging data on risks and benefits.
- © 2019 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
- Vania Modesto-Lowe, MD, MPH
- Margaret Chaplin, MD⇑
- Department of Psychiatry, Farrell Treatment Center, New Britain, CT
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington
- Capital Region Mental Health Center, Hartford, CT
- Address
: Margaret Chaplin, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Farrell Treatment Center, 586 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051; drmegchaplin{at}gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The anticonvulsant drug gabapentin is used off-label to treat alcohol-related withdrawal, cravings, anxiety, and insomnia. Although it is well tolerated and has demonstrated efficacy for mild alcohol withdrawal and early abstinence, there is concern about its potential for abuse. Gabapentin should be prescribed only as a second-line alternative to standard therapies, and only after screening for opioid or other prescription drug abuse to determine if heightened monitoring is warranted. Clinicians should be aware of gabapentin’s limitations for treating alcohol use disorder and be attentive to emerging data on risks and benefits.
- © 2019 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.