Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2022 Jul-Sep;19(7-9):55-60.

Psychiatric Uses of Gabapentin

Jon C Martin  1 , Danielle Gainer  2
Affiliations
Review

Psychiatric Uses of Gabapentin

Jon C Martin et al. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2022 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

Objective: This article reviews evidence-based psychiatric uses of gabapentin, along with associated risks.

Method of research: An extensive literature review was conducted, primarily of articles searchable in PubMed, relating to psychiatric uses, safety, and adverse effects of gabapentin.

Results: Evidence supports gabapentin as a treatment for alcohol withdrawal and alcohol use disorder. There is sufficient evidence to consider gabapentin as a third-line treatment for social anxiety disorder and severe panic disorder. Evidence does not support the use of gabapentin for bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), stimulant use disorder, or opioid withdrawal. Risks of gabapentin use are highest among those with a history of a substance use disorder and those concurrently taking opioids.

Conclusion: While gabapentin has a place in psychiatry for a select few indications, the literature does not support its use for many studied diagnoses.

Keywords: Gabapentin; alcohol use disorder; alcohol withdrawal; neurontin; opioids.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

DISCLOSURES: The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this article.

References

    1. Gabapentin: drug information. In: Post TW, ed. UpToDate. UpToDate; 2021.
    1. Costales B, Goodin AJ. Outpatient off-label gabapentin use for psychiatric indications among US adults, 2011-2016. Psychiatr Serv. 2021;72(11):1246–1253. - PubMed
    1. https://www.goodrx.com/drug-guide GoodRx. Top 10 Prescription Medications in the U.S. (August 2020). Updated August 2020. Accessed 30 Jun 2021.
    1. Fukada C, Kohler JC, Boon H et al. Prescribing gabapentin off label: perspectives from psychiatry, pain and neurology specialists. Can Pharm J (Ott). 2012;145(6):280–284.e1. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Berlin RK, Butler PM, Perloff MD. Gabapentin therapy in psychiatric disorders: a systematic review. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(5):10.4088/PCC.15r01821. - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources