Gabapentin Conversations: Use, Misuse, Overdose, and Safe Prescribing
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant approved to treat postherpetic neuralgia in adults, and as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in adults and pediatric patients 3 years and older. Currently, there is widespread off-label prescribing. There are concerns that patients are not adequately monitored, and there is limited awareness of formulation differences. Enhanced clinical knowledge, which promotes safe prescribing, improves patient monitoring, prevents adverse outcomes, and supports regulatory compliance, is crucial for optimizing therapeutic benefits and minimizing risks.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Identify the FDA-approved uses of gabapentin
- Describe clinical outcomes of gabapentin treatment
- Describe gabapentin side effects
- Identify the use of drug tapering to discontinue gabapentin
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. History of Gabapentin
III. Clinical Pharmacology
A. Mechanism of Action
B. Pharmacokinetics
IV. Other Drugs Commonly Used to Treat Similar Pain
V. Labeled and Off-label Uses for Gabapentin
A. Labeled Uses
B. Off-Label Uses
VI. Administration and Dosage
A. Formulations and Strengths
B. Significant Warnings/Precautions
C. Adverse Reactions
D. Drug Interactions
E. Specific Populations
F. Lookalike/Soundalike Concerns
G. Storage and Handling
VII. Postmarketing Clinical Studies
A. Postherpetic Neuralgia
B. Restless Legs Syndrome
C. Diabetic Neuropathy
D. Fibromyalgia
E. Mood Disorders/Depression/Anxiety
F. Dystonias in Children
VIII. Gabapentin Misuse
IX. Gabapentin Overdose
A. Symptoms of Gabapentin Overdose
B. Risks Associated with Prescribing Gabapentin with Opioids
X. Overdose Treatment
XI. Withdrawal from Gabapentin
XII. Case Study: Gabapentin Withdrawal
XIII. Summary
From November 4, 2025 through November 4, 2028, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Sandra Rogers, MD, Kristina (Tia) Neu, Ashley Walsh, PharmD, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the faculty members has a conflict of interest or financial relationship related to the subject matter of this activity. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.