Call Mon-Sun:
1 (800) 301-3753

Gabapentin Long-Term Effects: Potential Benefits & Risks

Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Diane Ridaeus

Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Medically Reviewed by Dr Samuel Lee MD

Gabapentin is a pharmaceutical drug that came to market in the early 90s. All drugs can impact both mental and physical health, especially with long-term use. We cover the available research on Gabapentin below to learn more about this drug, what it is used for, and what side effects it is associated with.

Often when an antipsychotic drug was prescribed, there was not sufficient time to become adequately informed. Once the mental health crisis has passed, it may be time to learn more that can be discussed for the best path forward on your treatment journey.

gabapentin potential benefits & risks
Knowledge is one of your best “power tools” in recovery.
gabapentin long-term effects
For the past nearly 2 decades, ATMC has helped so many recover successfully, with published studies documenting the high rates of success of our clients. ATMCs unique approach to mental wellness and recovery has helped many replace their medication dependence with holistic and lifestyle changes designed for long-term sustainable wellness. Orthomolecular and environmental medicine play big roles in recovery at ATMC. It’s treatments are non-addictive, and proven effective for long-term health.
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
Up to 87 ½% Long-Term Success Rate.
Click to Call7 Days a Week

Join Our Information ARMY AND STAY INFORMED
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • By completing this form, you will be added to our mailing list. You may opt out at any time.
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

What is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is an anti-epileptic, anticonvulsive drug that came to market in the early 90s. The brand name for the drug is Neurontin. The drug was found to modulate the body’s “voltage-gated calcium channels” which resulted in decreasing the output of excitatory neurochemicals.

While the drug’s effects have proved helpful in certain conditions, the risks of weight gain, obesity, suicidal ideation, and other side effects present concerns, especially over long-term use of gabapentin.

What is Gabapentin Used for?

Gabapentin has been FDA-approved for several clinical uses. There have also developed a number of off-label uses — most notably for the treatment of pain. The use of gabapentin in pain relief has grown significantly, perhaps as an answer to the overuse of opioids. However, clinical evidence to support its efficacy in pain management applications is weak, according to researchers.1-3

A controlled-release version of the drug, gabapentin enacarbil was also developed for its longer-lasting effects.

FDA-approved uses for gabapentin include:
  • As an adjunctive therapy for partial onset seizures in adults and children age 3 and up with epilepsy
  • Post-herpetic neuralgia (pain after herpes)
  • (enacarbil controlled-release) Restless legs syndrome
Off-label uses for gabapentin are many, fors example:
  • gabapentin off-label usesNeuropathy in diabetic patients
  • Neuropathy related to spinal cord injury
  • Pain relief in fibromyalgia
  • Bipolar
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Treatment-resistive depression
  • Mood disorders
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Alcohol withdrawal 
  • Insomnia
  • PTSD

Long-Term Use of Gabapentin Pros & Cons

Gabapentin has been used both short and long-term in alcohol withdrawal. Short term use was deemed safe in acute alcohol withdrawal. Gabapentin long-term was found superior to benzodiazepines for supporting continued abstinence after alcohol withdrawal. However, studies found gabapentin lacked efficacy for reducing cravings or for treating other types of substance dependence such as opioids.3

However, a massive study of gabapentin in persons with and without alcohol use disorder showed adverse effects including somnolence, falls and fractures, and altered mental states.11

In a 60-day trial on aged mice, authors reported gabapentin long-term effects under the category of cognitive decline, even though the trial was only 60 days in duration.4

One of the barriers to knowing more about long-term effects of gabapentin is that the studies published on off-label uses tend to be short, i.e. 4-6-8 weeks. However, used in pain management, prescriptions of gabapentin often extend into years of treatment, especially in the elderly population.

The British Journal of General Practice reported as far back as 2012 that gabapentin had become a mainstay in long-term pain management, which generally lasts for extended periods of time.

Is Gabapentin Addictive?

According to researchers in the UK, gabapentin developed an “exponential” statistical increase in both the numbers of prescriptions written from 1999 to 2011, and in the rise of numbers of persons who are addicted to gabapentin, along with a significant street presence of gabapentin.

Gabapentin’s side effects that accompany pain relief are similar to other drugs of abuse, including these examples:
  • Euphoria
  • Relaxation
  • Sense of calm
  • A marijuana-like high
  • Somnolence
  • Loss of muscle control and coordination
  • Tremors
  • Mood dysregulation

UK Police reports showed gabapentin has been commonly used as a cutting agent in street heroin. Like heroin, gabapentin overdose is fatal — but unlike heroin, there is no quick remedy for overdose such as naltrexone.5

In the Us, prescriptions for gabapentin doubled from 2009 to 2016 according to a massive review of insurance-based claims, and the trend has continued to rise.6

Dependence to gabapentin whether used for recreational, pain management, or other use can result in withdrawal symptoms shown below.

Gabapentin Withdrawal after Long-Term Use

Like any drug, after dependence or addiction develops, withdrawal can cause adverse effects. Some of gabapentin’s withdrawal effects can include seizures, mood disturbances, hallucinations and many others. Never abruptly stop taking a prescription of gabapentin as the withdrawals can be severe.  Careful withdrawal management is recommended for the safety of the patient.

Learn more about gabapentin withdrawal and the most effective recommendations for stopping the drug safely.

Gabapentin Side Effects Can Become Long-Term Effects

A prescription of gabapentin will commonly occur over an extended period of time. Side effects which persist over this time have been documented in clinical trials in both animals and humans.

According to the FDA, gabapentin prescriptions must include 2 mandatory high-level warnings of side effects. High-level warnings are safety signals, with a severity comparable to black box warnings on other prescription drugs.1,11

The high level warnings for gabapentin are:
  • Fatal respiratory depression (stops breathing)
  • Risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts
Other known long-term effects of gabapentin include:
  • gabapentin long-term effectsDeveloped dependence, addiction
  • Cognitive decline
  • Sedation
  • Weight gain
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Unusual mood changes
  • Worsened depression
  • Falls
  • Fractures
  • Altered mental states
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Kidney toxicity
1 (800) 301-3753 for Help with Gabapentin Long-Term Effects

Gabapentin Long-Term Effects FAQs

What drugs should be avoided while taking gabapentin?

Opioids combined with gabapentin can be lethal. There are many other types of drugs that can be harmful when taken together or even a short time apart as in taking antacid medications. Always consult your prescriber before taking any other type of drug to be sure before adding any other drug or medication of any kind.1,3,7

Can I drive while taking gabapentin?

Not recommended due to drowsiness, sleepiness. slowed thinking, or other impairments of perception and judgement. Since gabapentin reduces messaging and signalling, it is wise to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery which requires sharp focus and reaction time. Speak to your doctor who can help assess this safety question with you.

What is the maximum dosage for an adult taking gabapentin?

The maximum recommended dose is 3600 mg per day for an adult. Your prescriber can help find the right dosage for your unique situation.

What is the difference between gabapentin and gabapentin enacarbil?

The enacarbil version lasts longer and is taken only once per day. Gabapentin is usually prescribed to be taken 3 times per day, as its effects are more short-lived.

What do I do if I miss a dose of gabapentin?

Timing is important. If you remember that you missed a dose and only a short time has elapsed, take it when you remember. Otherwise, it is recommended that you skip the dose, if it is within 2 hours of the next dose. High levels of gabapentin, as well as missing a dose at high-levels, can cause serious reactions such as tremors, seizures, or loss of muscle control.9,10

Citations:

1. FDA label Neurontin (gabapentin) capsules for oral use approval 1993 [cited 2026 July 14]

2. Goodman C, et al., A Clinical Overview of Off-label Use of Gabapentinoid Drugs published march 25, 2019 JAMA [cited 2026 July 14]

3. Rama Yasaei, et al., Gabapentin: Treatment and Management published 2/21/2024 in Stat Pearls [cited 2026 July 14]

4. Suyun Xia, et al., Long-term gabapentin treatment impairs cognitive function in aged mice… published in Frontiers Journal pf Pharmacology, 2 Sept 2025 [cited 2026 July 14]

5. Smith B, et al., Substance misuse of gabapentin  published in the British Journal of General Practice Vol 62 issue 601 August 2012 [cited 2026 July 14]

6. Pauly NJ, Delcher C, Slavova S, Lindahl E, Talbert J, Freeman PR. Trends in Gabapentin Prescribing in a Commercially Insured U.S. Adult Population, 2009-2016. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2020 Mar;26(3):246-252. doi: 10.18553/jmcp.2020.26.3.246. PMID: 32105169; PMCID: PMC7155217.[cited 2026 July 14]

7. Dutta D, Mohindra R, Kumar M, Banerjee M, Sharma M, Mukhopadhyay S. Cardiovascular safety of gabapentinoids gabapentin & pregabalin: A systematic review. Indian J Med Res. 2025 Apr;161(4):363-374. doi: 10.25259/IJMR_1990_2024. PMID: 40536375; PMCID: PMC12178190. [cited 2026 July 14]

8. Information for Adult Patients Prescribed Gabapentin for the Treatment of Pain published by the Faculty of Pain Medication, to be reviewed in 2023 [cited 2026 July 14]

9. Lennox R, Mangin D. Gabapentin misuse. CMAJ. 2019 Jan 14;191(2):E47. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.180599. PMID: 30642825; PMCID: PMC6333539. [cited 2026 July 14]

10. Barrueto F Jr, Green J, Howland MA, Hoffman RS, Nelson LS. Gabapentin withdrawal presenting as status epilepticus. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2002;40(7):925-8. doi: 10.1081/clt-120016965. PMID: 12507063. [cited 2026 July 14]

11. Rentsch CT, Morford KL, Fiellin DA, Bryant KJ, Justice AC, Tate JP. Safety of Gabapentin Prescribed for Any Indication in a Large Clinical Cohort of 571,718 US Veterans with and without Alcohol Use Disorder. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2020 Sep;44(9):1807-1815. doi: 10.1111/acer.14408. Epub 2020 Jul 28. PMID: 32628784; PMCID: PMC7540277. [cited 2026 July 14]

Originally Published July 15, 2026 by Diane Ridaeus


This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.

Dr. Samuel Lee

Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente.  He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

Social Profile: LinkedIn

View Bio

Medical Disclaimer:
Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.

We Accept Most PPO Insurance Plans for Partial Coverage of Fees

Call Now to Verify BlueCross BlueShield Cigna Aetna

Our Success Stories

Medication Withdrawal Success Stories

Can you imagine being free from medications, addictive drugs, and alcohol? This is our goal and we are proving it is possible every day!

Read All StoriesView All Videos