Gabapentin Overdose: An Introduction
Gabapentin (
Neurontin®) is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of nerve pain and epileptic
seizures. The effects of a gabapentin overdose will vary depending on a number of factors, including the gabapentin dosage and whether it was taken with any other medicines, alcohol, or street drugs.
If you happen to overdose on gabapentin, seek immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of a Gabapentin Overdose
If a person overdoses on gabapentin, the symptoms can vary. Some commonly reported symptoms of an overdose include:
- Coordination problems
- Difficulty breathing
- Drooping eyelids
- Drowsiness
- Double vision
- Slurred speech
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea.
Life-threatening overdose symptoms are more likely if gabapentin is combined with alcohol or other medications.
Treating a Gabapentin Overdose
The treatment for a gabapentin overdose will also vary. If the overdose was recent, the healthcare provider may give certain medicines or place a tube into the stomach to "pump the stomach." Dialysis may be helpful for removing gabapentin from the blood. Treatment also involves supportive care, which consists of treating the symptoms that occur as a result of the overdose. For example, supportive treatment options for a gabapentin overdose may include:
- Fluids through an intravenous line (IV)
- Close monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing
- Other treatments based on complications that occur.
It is important that you seek prompt medical attention if you believe that you may have overdosed on gabapentin.
