Doctors sometimes prescribe gabapentin to patients who have insomnia. How well does this drug work, and are there any dangers associated with using gabapentin for sleep?
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What Is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is a prescription medication that was first synthesized in Germany in the early 1970s. It was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993.
It is sold under several brand names, including Gralise, Horizant, and Neurontin, and is also available as a generic. It is typically administered by mouth in pill or capsule form.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the annual number of gabapentin prescriptions filled by U.S. pharmacies increased significantly over the past 15 years, rising from 29.6 million in 2010 to 73.1 million in 2024.
In recent years, gabapentin has ranked as one of the 10 most frequently prescribed medications in the U.S.
Typical uses
Gabapentin is classified as an antipsychotic. It’s FDA-approved uses include treating:
- Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is persistent nerve pain that often occurs in the aftermath of shingles
- Restless leg syndrome
- Partial seizures due to epilepsy
Physicians in the U.S. also prescribe gabapentin on an off-label basis to treat an array of other medical and mental health concerns, including:
- Nerve pain due to diabetes or sciatica
- Postoperative pain
- Hot flashes in postmenopausal women and breast cancer patients
- Fibromyalgia
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Alcohol use disorder (alcoholism)
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Insomnia
Potential side effects
Though gabapentin has proved to be both safe and effective when used as directed by a doctor, some patients experience adverse effects after taking it. The most common of these unpleasant side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Involuntary eye movements
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Slurred speech
- Impaired coordination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Memory problems
- Sexual dysfunction
- Unintentional weight gain
Can You Use Gabapentin for Sleep?
As noted earlier in today’s post, doctors sometimes prescribe gabapentin on an off-label basis to treat insomnia. According to an October 2014 study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, the medication provided the following benefits for people with transient insomnia:
- Increased total sleep time
- Decreased rate of waking after sleep onset
- Better sleep quality as scored on the KSD Sleep Quality Index
- No evidence of next-day residual effects
Also, for people who have difficulty sleeping as a result of nerve pain or certain other conditions, taking gabapentin to alleviate those symptoms may lead to better and longer sleep.
However, while it may be safe to take gabapentin for sleep on a short-term basis if you’re under a doctor’s care, doing so can still cause you to experience types of side effects listed in the previous section. And anyone who self-medicates, or uses gabapentin for sleep without consulting with a physician, may have an even greater risk of harm.
Is Gabapentin Addictive?
At one time, it was believed that gabapentin was not addictive. This belief turned out to be misguided. For example, a March 2016 literature review in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy found “numerous documented cases of gabapentin abuse, dependence, and withdrawal.”
Gabapentin does not pose the same risk of addiction that drugs such as opioids or alcohol do, but anyone who uses the medication can become dependent on it. The risk is likely highest among those who use gabapentin to self-medicate or to achieve a recreational high.
Warning signs that someone is addicted to Gabapentin
Potential warning signs that someone has become addicted to gabapentin include:
- Using gabapentin more frequently, in larger doses, or for a longer period of time than directed by their doctor or pharmacist
- Exaggerating their symptoms or visiting multiple doctors to get additional gabapentin prescriptions
- Buying, borrowing, or stealing gabapentin that was prescribed to someone else
- Buying gabapentin from street-level dealers or via illicit online pharmacies
- Developing tolerance, which means they need to use larger amounts of gabapentin in order to feel the drug’s effects
- Withdrawing from family and friends and/or ending their participation in important activities, due to their gabapentin use
- Using gabapentin in ways that are clearly hazardous, such as by taking the medication while drinking or using other drugs
- Becoming agitated or developing withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using gabapentin or are prevented from using it for a certain period
What Happens if You Can’t Stop Using Gabapentin?
Addictions are characterized by an inability to control how much of a substance you use or how often you use it. When you develop an addiction, you also may feel compelled to continue to use the substance, even after you’ve incurred some type of harm that was either caused or made worse by your prior use.
The bad news about addictions is that they are chronic and progressive. This means that they’re unlikely to just go away on their own, and will probably get worse over time.
The good news about addictions is that they are treatable. When you find the right type and level of care, you can end your gabapentin use, regain control of your thoughts and behaviors, and begin to live a much healthier life in recovery.
Find Help for Gabapentin Addiction in Atlanta
If you’ve been struggling to stop using gabapentin, North Atlanta Behavioral Health is here to help.
Our outpatient treatment center in Atlanta, GA, is a trusted source of individualized care for adults who have become addicted to gabapentin and other substances. We also offer dual diagnosis programming for clients who have co-occurring mental health concerns.
We’ll work closely with you to fully understand the challenges you’ve been dealing with, then we’ll develop a customized treatment plan that reflects your unique needs, goals, and expectations. Every step of the way, you can expect to receive personalized care and comprehensive support from a team of dedicated professionals who are truly invested in your success.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
