What Does Gabapentin Come Up as in a Drug Test
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GABAPENTIN
Neurological disorders are complicated conditions that impact a person's well-being and negatively affect relationships to the point of losing loved ones. It's a good thing that drugs such as gabapentin are available in the market to address these concerns. However, the availability of this substance also gave rise to gabapentin abuse and similar issues.
What is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is a non-narcotic medication that was introduced in the early 1990s by Parke-Davis. This drug is commonly sold under the brand name Neurontin, and is used for treating symptoms of:
- Partial Onset of Seizures
- Epilepsy
- Neuropathy
- Postherpetic Neuralgia in Adults
- Restless Leg Syndrome
Gabapentin has become a popular generic medication and has a strong following among patients who need something to ease their symptoms from such neurological conditions.
How Does Gabapentin Work?
Gabapentin affects both the brain and the nervous system. It aids in stabilizing the electrical activity in the brain.
Gabapentin was developed as a form of gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) that can easily cross the blood-brain barrier. GABA is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and its main function is to stop other neurotransmitters like Dopamine, Glutamate, and Noradrenaline from triggering rapidly. In other words, GABA slows down brain function.
Since it is not bioavailable, GABA has a hard time crossing the blood-brain barrier upon oral ingestion. Therefore, it needs a lot to achieve any GABA-related action or it won't function at all.
Gabapentin works and appears to increase GABA activity, but is incapable of binding to GABA receptors.
Although the exact effect of the drug has not yet been fully studied, it has been said to affect the build-up of electrical signals in the nerve cells. Additionally, it affects the activity of various neurotransmitters in the brain and nervous system.
It is also quite common for gabapentin to be taken with other medicines, including anti-anxiety drugs and opioids. The result of doing so increases a sense of relaxation and calmness, an intense pleasure, and an unusual feeling described similarly as that of using marijuana. On the other hand, those individuals who use alcohol in combination with gabapentin may feel increased sleepiness or may feel dizzy.
Drugs and other medications are approved because they work and the safety data that drug manufacturers provide are encouraging enough. However, there are also some instances that nobody knows how a drug really works until further research is conducted, even after the drug has already been approved and sold in the market.
What are the Side Effects of Gabapentin?
The following signs and symptoms may manifest in individuals taking Gabapentin:
- Agitation
- Angioedema
- Breast enlargement
- Changes in libido
- Ejaculation disorders and anorgasmia
- Elevated creatine kinase, elevated liver function tests
- Hyponatremia
- Jaundice
- Lack of coordination
- Memory loss
- Movement disorder
- Muscle weakness
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Viral infection
Moreover, abrupt discontinuation of gabapentin may also result in the following:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Pain
- Sweating
Gabapentin Dosing
Gabapentin comes in 3 dosage form strengths in various forms:
- Capsules: 100 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg
- Tablets: 600 mg, 800 mg
- Oral solution: 250 mg per 5 ml (50 mg per ml), clear colorless to a slightly yellow solution.
Most dosage recommendations come in intervals of 300mg. The maximum safe dose in a day is 1500 mg. The dose recommended to an individual is based on the following factors:
- Age
- Gender
- Weight
- The condition that it is going to treat
This non-opioid medication is also commonly known as "Johnnys". Gabapentin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1993. As of September 2017, Gabapentin is among the most dispensed prescription drugs in the United States.
Gabapentin Half-Life
Gabapentin can stay up to two days after the last intake. Its half-life is between 5-7 hours. Generally, the drug will be flushed out of the system after 48 hours.
However, certain factors may influence the duration and the elimination of the drug in the system. The amount of gabapentin taken as well as the frequency of intake may be influential factors. Larger doses lead to slower excretion.
Similarly, individuals with renal failure might need about 30 days before the drug totally gets out of his system.Interestingly, Gabapentin does not show in saliva despite the mouth being the route of administration. Hair drug testing for gabapentin is unusual, but generally, this type of test offers a wider window of detection.
Gabapentin is not fully metabolized in the system. It is fully excreted by the kidneys (without any traces left). Therefore, the storage of gabapentin in the system depends on certain factors that can affect how fast or how slow the drug is eliminated from the system.
Warning and Precautions
Just like any drug, extreme precautionary measures should be made when using this substance. Gabapentin use may cause anaphylaxis and angioedema. It has been reported that individuals manifested the following symptoms that required emergency treatment:
- Difficulty Breathing
- Hypotension
- Swelling of Lips, Throat, and Tongue
Physicians advise for Gabapentin to be discontinued. Medical treatment should be sought as soon as possible, in case of discomfort after ingesting the drug.
Some cases reported that multiorgan hypersensitivity has been apparent in which some of the reactions may become fatal. Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) typically presents itself through a rash, fever, and/or lymphadenopathy that may be connected to other organ systems. These may include nephritis, hepatitis, myocarditis, hematological abnormalities, or myositis, which may sometimes resemble an acute viral infection.
It is essential to understand the manifestations of hypersensitivity, such as lymphadenopathy or rash. If these have become evident, the individual should be evaluated immediately. Similarly, Gabapentin should be discontinued in this case.
Gabapentin High Experience
Although Gabapentin has been proven to be an effective treatment, it should be taken with extreme precaution, particularly by those who drive or operate machinery for the Department of Transportation (DOT) as it may impair their ability to stay focused. The duration of impairment after starting therapy with Gabapentin is relatively unknown. Therefore, to be on the safe side, driving or operating complex machinery should be avoided when taking the drug.
Individuals taking Gabapentin should be carefully observed for signs of depression, such as somnolence and sedation, particularly when Gabapentin is used with other drugs that have sedative properties, like opioids.
Gabapentin, like other antiepileptic drugs, can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. Patients treated with antiepileptic drugs should be carefully monitored since the introduction of Gabapentin may heighten depressive tendencies, intensify suicidal thoughts, and/or produce unusual changes in mood or behavior.
The increased risk of these unusual mood changes may be observed while under antiepileptic drug treatment as early as one week after starting the drug. The effect may persist throughout the entire duration of the treatment, which usually lasts for 24 weeks.
The following manifestations were similarly observed among patients with epilepsy aged 3-12 years old:
- Emotional Lability (Behavioral Problems)
- Hostility, i.e. Aggression
- Hyperkinesia (Restlessness and Hyperactivity)
- Concentration Problems
- Change in Work/School Performance
Other studies reported the incidence of pancreatic acinar tumor in rats. However, the clinical significance of this finding is unknown.
In an adjunctive therapy in epilepsy of 2,085 patients aged 12 years and older, new tumors were reported in at least 10 patients. They developed tumors in the brain, breast, lung, adrenal, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and endometrial carcinoma in situ. Meanwhile, those who already had cancers prior to treatment were observed to have worse tumors even after discontinuing Gabapentin.
What Does Gabapentin do to the Brain?
The effect of Gabapentin is similar to other drugs that increase GABA activity in the brain such as alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. The effects are not the same as those found in individuals using opiates or amphetamines.
Gabapentin users are likely to experience the following:
- Carelessness
- Drowsiness/sluggishness
- Lack of inhibitions
- Less social anxiety
- Mild euphoria
One of the fears of the increasing popularity of Gabapentin is that it might be considered as a new party drug. However, it does not produce a kind of "high" similar to taking MDMA. In contrast, this drug provides a similar effect to muscle relaxants, wherein the pain is managed better.
Is Gabapentin Addictive?
Individuals taking this drug show signs and symptoms similar to marijuana use. This has prompted the state of Kentucky to treat Gabapentin as a schedule 5 (V) controlled substance.
Gabapentin isn't similar to benzodiazepine, cannabinoid, or opiates. However, there have been reports of misuse and abuse, with some individuals taking Gabapentin in higher doses.
Some of them use gabapentin to relieve withdrawal symptoms from other substances. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully evaluate the individual prior to prescribing gabapentin.
Although it has been found out that there are individuals who have used gabapentin for recreational purposes, the effect on the individual is not the same as those who use poly-substances. Withdrawal symptoms after gabapentin use are apparent 12 hours up to 7 days after stopping.
How quickly the withdrawal symptoms occur depends on the amount of gabapentin taken and the frequency of use. This means that an individual who may be using large doses of gabapentin is likely to experience withdrawal symptoms quicker. Therefore, it is recommended to taper the intake of gabapentin until such time that the body can stand without having any drop of gabapentin in the system.
Gabapentin Overdose
Gabapentin should be taken according to how it is recommended by the doctor. It is extremely important to take only the necessary amount of drug that has been prescribed. Taking more than the recommended dose may cause acute toxicity, which may result in difficulty in breathing, hypoactivity, double vision, sedation, slurred speech, and diarrhea.
Hemodialysis is the only way to effectively remove gabapentin in the system. Although this has not been performed in earlier cases of gabapentin overdose in individuals, it may be recommended in patients with significant renal impairment.
Medical experts advise the general public to report overdose incidents immediately to the nearest poison control center.
Gabapentin Drug Test
Since Gabapentin is not a narcotic drug, it is unlikely for it to appear in a drug test. Conventional urine drug tests can only detect narcotic and illicit substances. Additionally, gabapentin is not a scheduled drug.
However, some companies have already developed and released testing products to address this. Gabapentin Drug Test Urine Dip Card is designed to detect the presence of gabapentin in the system. The product's detection window is 1-2 days, while its results are 99% accurate and available within 5 minutes.
Gabapentin Legality
Gabapentin is currently not a federally controlled substance. However, it does require a prescription. This can be a bit alarming considering that lately, recreational use of Gabapentin has reached a very high level.
Gabapentin, although not considered as anything like benzodiazepine, has been known to impair cognitive function, which can be very dangerous.
Kentucky has developed stricter measures to ensure that their community becomes a drug-free state. Seeing the possibility of another abused substance on the menu among young adults and even teenagers, Kentucky has initiated in making it a schedule 5 controlled substance.
Other states such as Ohio and West Virginia seem to be following suit.
Hopefully, Gabapentin can be re-assessed for its safety so that everyone can experience treatment for their neurological conditions without worrying about drug abuse or addiction.
What Does Gabapentin Come Up as in a Drug Test
Source: https://testcountry.com/pages/all-you-need-to-know-about-gabapentin