It is dangerous to have gabapentin and alcohol in your system at the same time? What happens if you need to take Neurontin, but you can’t quit drinking?
What Is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is a prescription medication that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat partial seizures, postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain) in the aftermath of shingles, and restless leg syndrome.
It has also been used on an off-label basis to treat a range of additional medical and mental health concerns, including:
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic cough
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Nerve pain due to sciatica
- Migraine
- Postoperative pain
- Phantom limb pain after amputation
- Hot flashes due to menopause
- Alcohol use disorder (alcoholism)
- Alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Gabapentin first earned FDA approval in 1993, under the brand name Neurontin. Today, versions of the drug are also sold in the U.S. under the brand names Horizant and Gralise. Since 2004 it has also been available as a generic.
In 2023, U.S. physicians wrote more than 45.9 million prescriptions for gabapentin, making it the ninth most frequently prescribed medication that year.
How Does Gabapentin Work?
To understand why there are concerns about using gabapentin and alcohol at the same time, it can be valuable to first review how the medication can affect a person’s body.
Mechanism of action
Considering how frequently gabapentin is prescribed, it may come as a surprise to learn that experts do not fully understand how the med produces the effects it does.
Generally speaking, researchers have discovered that gabapentin use affects the availability of certain brain chemicals including serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA):
- Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that influences functions such as mood, the sleep/wake cycle, digestion, and sexual desire. Gabapentin seems to cause an increase in serotonin, which can elevate mood, boost libido, and improve sleep quality.
- GABA is the body’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means that it slows the delivery of messages throughout the central nervous system. Gabapentin appears to also increase the presence of GABA, which can have a calming, sedating effect on the body.
Adverse effects
As is the case with virtually every other prescription medication, gabapentin can also cause side effects. The more common of these adverse effects include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Headache
- Abnormal eye movements
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Weight gain
Less common but potentially more problematic side effects of gabapentin use include:
- Breathing problems
- Swelling in the eyes, lips, mouth, and tongue
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
- Rash and hives
- Blistered, peeling skin
- Swelling near the hands and feet
- Depression
- Suicidal ideation
Is It Safe to Combine Gabapentin and Alcohol?
Most physicians advise their patients to avoid mixing gabapentin and alcohol.
As noted earlier in today’s post, gabapentin slows activity within the central nervous system, which can have a sedating effect on the body. Alcohol has the same effect. If you have both of these substances in your system at the same time, the combined effect can undermine your health and even threaten your life.
The potential dangers of drinking alcohol while taking gabapentin include:
- Injuries due to severely diminished coordination, slowed reflexes, and impaired judgment
- Increased risk of mood swings and suicidal thoughts
- Excessively slow or shallow breathing
- Dangerous drop in body temperature
- Loss of consciousness and inability to be awakened
What Happens if You Can’t Stop Drinking While Taking Gabapentin?
If you have been told not to combine gabapentin and alcohol, but you are either unwilling or unable to stop drinking while you’re taking the medication, that can be a sign of a serious problem.
Using alcohol in circumstances that you know can be hazardous is a symptom of alcohol use disorder (alcoholism).
The good news is that alcohol addiction is a treatable condition. When you get the right type of treatment, you can learn to manage your urges and quit drinking for good. But if you don’t take appropriate action, your symptoms and their impact on your life may only get worse.
If you’ve had trouble managing your alcohol use, an ideal first step is to talk to your family doctor or schedule an assessment with a reputable addiction treatment provider in your area. If you’re not sure that you need to take this step, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you frequently drink more, or for a longer period of time, than you intended to?
- Do you feel the need to drink in order to cope with stress, deal with setbacks, or experience happiness?
- Have you lied to or otherwise deceived friends or family members about the amount or frequency of your alcohol use?
- Have you reduced or ended your participation in important social or work-related activities as a result of your drinking?
- Are you still drinking even after experiencing health concerns or personal problems – such as losing a relationship or being arrested for driving under the influence – as a result of prior alcohol use?
- Have you neglected to pay bills, not shown up for appointments, or otherwise failed to meet your responsibilities at home, in school, or at work because of your drinking?
- Do you need to drink more than you used to in order to experience the effects of alcohol?
- Do you develop uncomfortable physical or psychological symptoms when you try to curtail your alcohol use?
If you can answer yes to any of these questions, it may be time to schedule an assessment. Once you’ve received an accurate diagnosis, you’ll have a better understanding of the challenge you’re dealing with. And when the professional who conducts your assessment explains your treatment options, you’ll be better prepared to find the solution that’s best for you.
Find Help for Alcohol Addiction in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Recovery Center is a premier provider of personalized treatment for adults who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs.
Don’t let alcoholism rob you of one more day. With our help and a concerted effort on your part, you can quit drinking for good and begin to enjoy a much healthier and more satisfying life in recovery.
To learn more about how we can help, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
