Gabapentin is increasingly being used by patients in methadone maintenance programs to get a high. Increasing availability, infrequent drug testing, and potentiation of euphoria when combined with opioids have likely all contributed to gabapentin misuse. Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) data show that ED visits involving the nonmedical use of gabapentin have increased by 90% in the United States since 2008. DAWN data also suggest that 20% of patients in treatment may misuse or abuse gabapentin. Meanwhile, there has been a rise in gabapentin prescribing.
Current advice on prescribing Gabapentin: use caution. Don't necessarily avoid prescribing it, but be careful and prescribe it from visit to visit. Don't just give somebody six refills and say you will see them in 6 months. Source: Medscape
