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description Monograph verified MOC Eligible

Gabapentin Conversations: Use, Misuse, Overdose, and Safe Prescribing

Target Audience: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech, Physician Assistant, Physician

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local_hospital 2.00 AMA PRA Category 1™
person 2.00 AAPA Category 1
groups 2.00 IPCE Credits

Course Overview

Gabapentin is FDA-approved for postherpetic neuralgia in adults, for adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures, with and without secondary generalization, in adults and pediatric patients 3 years and older with epilepsy. The dosage and frequency of dosing depend on the condition being treated, the patient's age, and other factors. It is not a federally controlled substance, but multiple states have enacted rules to monitor its use due to concerns. Currently, widespread off-label prescribing has led to inconsistent monitoring and limited awareness of formulation differences. Scientists are also questioning the efficacy and safety of gabapentin. This has resulted in variable state regulations regarding gabapentin. 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

Authors & Activity Planners
Ashley Walsh, PharmD
View Bio +
Ashley Walsh is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, School of Pharmacy. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy in 2013. Ashley Walsh had previously a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Connecticut. She has practiced as a pharmacist since 2013.
Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN
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Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN is a licensed Registered Nurse and author currently developing in-service training for healthcare professionals. She is a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine Coach. Her work experience includes work in several areas of the healthcare profession, including psychiatric nursing, medical nursing, motivational health coaching, chronic case management, dental hygiene, cardiac technician, and surgical technician.
Sandra Rogers, MD
View Bio +
Sandra Rogers, MD, is a primary care physician in Texas. She is board-certified through the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Additional Faculty & Reviewers
Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S.
View Bio +
Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S. is a licensed pharmacist and Freelance Medical Writer at Sardo Solutions in Texas.
L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP
View Bio +
Dr. Fredrickson is an assistant professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University, where he serves as core faculty and teaches diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical skills, and health humanities. He is board-certified in general internal medicine and practices rural primary care.

Maintenance of Certification (MOC): Continuing Certification is offered for the American Board of Internal Medicine® (ABIM) and the American Board of Pediatrics® (ABP).

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 2.0 Medical Knowledge MOC points. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting MOC credit.

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component and post-test, qualifies for MOC points with the following boards:

American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)
  • Anesthesiology
American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
  • Geriatrics & Palliative Care
  • Hospital Medicine
  • Internal Medicine
American Board of Pediatrics (ABP)
  • Pediatrics
  • Introduction
  • History of Gabapentin
  • Clinical Pharmacology
    • Mechanism of Action
    • Pharmacokinetics
  • Other Drugs Commonly Used to Treat Similar Pain
  • Labeled and Off-label Uses for Gabapentin
    • Labeled Uses
    • Off-Label Uses
  • Administration and Dosage
    • Formulations and Strengths
    • Significant Warnings/Precautions
    • Adverse Reactions
    • Drug Interactions
    • Specific Populations
    • Lookalike/Soundalike Concerns
    • Storage and Handling
  • Postmarketing Clinical Studies
    • Postherpetic Neuralgia
    • Restless Legs Syndrome
    • Diabetic Neuropathy
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Mood Disorders/Depression/Anxiety
    • Dystonias in Children
  • Gabapentin Misuse
  • Gabapentin Overdose
    • Symptoms of Gabapentin Overdose
    • Risks Associated with Prescribing Gabapentin with Opioids
  • Overdose Treatment
  • Withdrawal from Gabapentin
  • Case Study: Gabapentin Withdrawal
  • Summary

From January 26, 2026 through January 26, 2029, participants must:

  1. Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
  2. Study the section entitled "educational activity"
  3. 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 JA_PARS.

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 designed solely 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 must consult their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization for guidelines, protocols, and procedures 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 is constantly changing. Any person taking this course understands that such a person must make an independent review of medication information before 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.

Please ensure the device you plan to use meets these requirements:

  • Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 / Mac OS X 10.9 or later / iOS / Android
  • Supported Browsers: Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera
  • A connection to the internet

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.