Tag: Dependence

Is Gabapentin Addictive or Dependence ?

What is Gabapentin ?

Gabapentin is used to help control partial seizures (convulsions) in the treatment of epilepsy. This medicine cannot cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures for as long as you continue to take it.

Gabapentin is also used to manage a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which is pain that occurs after shingles.

Gabapentin works in the brain to prevent seizures and relieve pain for certain conditions in the nervous system. It is not used for routine pain caused by minor injuries or arthritis. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Capsule
  • Tablet
  • Tablet, Extended Release, 24 HR
  • Solution
  • Suspension

Is Gabapentin Addictive ?

No. Gabapentin is not considered addictive.

But it is possible to develop a physical dependence on the drug. In fact, people can experience withdrawal symptoms for up to 45 days after they stop taking gabapentin. Although gabapentin does give some people a euphoric “high” which can cause gabapentin abuse, gabapentin abusers do not present with the kind of compulsive, drug-seeking behavior or strong cravings that indicates addiction.

Unfortunately, our clinical experience suggests that gabapentin is now prevalent as a drug of abuse. The drug’s effects vary with the user, dosage, past experience, psychiatric history, and expectations. Individuals describe varying experiences with gabapentin abuse, including: euphoria, improved sociability, a marijuana-like ‘high’, relaxation, and sense of calm, although not all reports are positive (for example, ‘zombie-like’ effects).

In primary care, an increasing number and urgency of prescription requests cannot necessarily be explained by the increased number of cases of neuropathic pain. In the substance misuse service, the numbers admitting to using gabapentin are also growing.

A 2007 report described the case of a 67-year-old woman with mood disorders and a history of alcohol abuse who was prescribed gabapentin (as well as naproxen and amitriptyline) for pain from polyneuritis. Owing to tolerance, she was prescribed 4800 mg/day (over the maximum recommended dose), but further escalated her intake to 7200 mg daily. She requested gabapentin without a prescription from pharmacists and visited numerous physicians, exaggerating her symptoms, to obtain the desired quantities.


When the patient was finally no longer able to obtain gabapentin through these methods, she developed withdrawal symptoms, characterized by trembling, sweating, excitation, pallor, and exophthalmia. The withdrawal required hospitalization, where a change to alternative pain control medications was made. Within several months, the patient had resumed abuse of gabapentin.
Another report described 3 cases of gabapentin-associated withdrawal symptoms after abrupt discontinuation of total daily doses of 4800 mg, 3600 mg, and 2400 mg.

Similar symptoms were reported in 2 patients with histories of alcohol abuse. The first case involved a 33-year-old man taking 3600 mg of gabapentin daily, which was twice his prescribed dose. He had been obtaining gabapentin refills early to reduce his craving for alcohol and make him feel calmer. When further refills were denied, he abruptly stopped taking the gabapentin and suffered acute withdrawal symptoms.

The second case described a 63-year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse who was taking gabapentin at 4900 mg/day instead of the prescribed 1800 mg/day. After presentation to the hospital and discontinuation of gabapentin, he developed severe withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms in these patients included disorientation, confusion, tachycardia, diaphoresis, tremulousness, and agitation. The withdrawal symptoms resolved upon resumption of gabapentin.

The use of nonprescribed gabapentin by patients attending substance abuse clinics has also been reported.

A questionnaire-based survey completed by 129 respondents attending 6 substance abuse treatment clinics found that 22% of patients admitted to using nonprescribed gabapentin. As a comparison, nonprescribed use of pregabalin was 3%, benzodiazepines 47%, and cannabis 43%.

Some patients taking nonprescribed gabapentin reported using the drug to become intoxicated or to potentiate the effect of methadone.

Can You Get Fioricet Addiction ?

NO. You can not get high because of Fioricet.

You Will Die if you Get Fioricet Addiction

Fioricet is supplied in hard-gelatin capsule form for oral administration.

Each capsule contains the following active ingredients:

Butalbital, USP……………………50 mg
Acetaminophen, USP…………….300 mg
Caffeine, USP……………………..40 mg

Fioricet contains a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. It relaxes muscle contractions involved in a tension headache. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.

The butalbital in Fioricet belongs to a class of drugs called barbiturates, a central nervous system depressant. Like other barbiturates,  it has the potential to cause physical and psychological dependence, which can lead to abuse.

But we do not think taking Fioricet can cause addiction because the addiction dosage of barbiturate is 1500mg per day which will exhaust 30 tablet fioricet (Around 10,000 mg acetaminophen ).  30 tablet of fioricet with 10,000mg  of acetaminophen will kill an adult.  The Max dosage of Fioricet is six tablets so it is safe and no addiction concerns.

But some websites say fioricet may  get you high . The belief is that the Fioricet high is caused by the fact that butalbital can increase the inhibition neurotransmitters in the brain called GABA. It can bind to certain receptor sites and ultimately central nervous system activity is depressed. This can lead to what feels like a buzz or to some people possibly a high.

Fioricet May Make You Dependence

Taking high doses of Fioricet can cause you to build a tolerance to the medication, leading to a need for greater and greater amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect.  Eventually, someone can build  a physical  dependence on Fioricet.  Withdrawal occurs when you stop taking Fioricet and includes symptoms such as convulsions and delirium.

 

dependence and addiction
dependence and addiction

Treatment for the physical withdrawal symptoms is usually cautious withdrawal of the drug over a certain length of time.

This allows the person to be weaned off the Fioricet slowly, which reduces the uncomfortable symptoms. Combination therapy consists of behavioral and cognitive therapies. This kind of Fioricet abuse treatment is designed to tackle the intense psychological dependency a person has with Fioricet addiction.

Trained psychologists and psychiatrists will work with the person, teaching them coping strategies that they can implement in to their life. Teaching someone who is Fioricet dependent how to cope will reduce the chances of them going back to the drug. A person can undertake this therapy as part of specific detoxification program.

This type of program is available at rehabilitation centers and hospitals. It is also possible for a person to take part in a supervised rehabilitation program in their own home.

Fioricet Dependence

Fioricet cannot cause addiction, but it can cause dependence. The first sign of possible Fioricet dependence is when a person notices that their regular dose  does not help their headache. People begin increasing their dose, until they are able to achieve the same effects they have experienced in the past. Prolonged use of Fioricet will build a person’s tolerance to it; this means they will need larger doses to achieve the same results.

When a person is dependency on Fioricet, he experiences withdrawal symptoms when the dose is suddenly stopped or decreased. If you are suffering from nausea, delirium, anxiety, convulsions, and hallucinations, contact your doctor immediately. These, according to the FDA, appear within 16 hours after the last dose. People who are withdrawing from the drug also feel emotional, depressed, anxious, and irritable. Some have hypertension, depression of the respiratory system, and confusion.

Psychological symptoms of dependence are usually more powerful than the physical, and are not as obvious to the person taking the Fioricet. However, others may notice that they have become obsessed or preoccupied with taking their medication. Prolonged Fioricet use will also make a person believe they are unable to function properly without it.

Never take your Fioricet overdose. If six tablet Fioricet cannot treat your headaches, please find a neighbor doctor or your family doctor and let them to check your health conditions and prescribe you new fioricet prescription.