The Dangers of Using Gabapentin and Alcohol on Health

Thinking about your overall health is a serious matter. You are probably researching the effects of a certain drug when mixed with alcohol that is why you are on this page. Well, you are right. We are going a little in-depth about them here.

You should educate yourself on when and how to use a prescription drug like Gabapentin, because it may harm more than it could treat your condition. And adding alcohol to the mix can aggravate your condition.

We have read plenty of horror stories about how alcohol and prescription drugs can be a recipe for disaster. We don’t want this to happen to us, so read on.

What is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is a brand name for the generic prescription drug gabapentin. It is prescribed by doctors for neuropathic pain and epilepsy. Gabapentin is hailed as a wonder drug because of its success in reducing convulsions and nerve-damage pain. The drugs hit the right spot in the emotional part of the brain called the amygdala, resulting in a relaxing effect similar to benzodiazepines.

It is this relaxing effect that is also beneficial to other illnesses. One of which is in treating alcohol use disorder.

Federally, gabapentin is approved for prescription-level use only. Aside from epilepsy, there is also a wide use of this prescription for disorders like bipolar disorder, mood disorders, depression, social phobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The drug’s effects are well documented and studies have shown that it is the drug’s interaction with the brain’s overstimulated neurons that assist the chemical messenger, GABA, and reduce neuron activity.

When taking prescription drugs for your mental and physical condition, you should keep in mind that there could be side effects because of the complex processing abilities of our brain. Gabapentin is not without side effects.

Possible Side Effects of Gabapentin

As with most prescription medications, gabapentin has a risk of side effects. Some of its side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, loss of coordination, tremors, tiredness, blurred or double vision, and unusual eye movements.

Other side effects reported are reported changes in mood as well as thoughts of suicide and depression. Patients who have these side effects while they are on gabapentin should talk to their doctors to check if the prescription is right for them.

What Happens When You Mix Alcohol and Gabapentin?

Using gabapentin and alcohol together could potentially have double the effects of its side effects. Some examples include a decrease in the state of consciousness, vomiting, and eye-and-speech response delays. In some patients, the effects are as severe as slipping into an unconscious state.

Gabapentin is a depressant, and it will have an extremely dangerous effect when mixed with another depressant like alcohol. It can cause respiratory distress. A long-term dependence and cessation of use will cause withdrawal coupled with anxiety and confusion.

Conclusion

As mentioned above, you cannot mix alcohol and gabapentin because it can increase the side effects of gabapentin alone. It will alter your balance and mental alertness and in most cases can increase drowsiness, dizziness, and trouble with concentration.

Although there are people who have experienced mild reactions to the combination of gabapentin and alcohol. Still, you need to inform your doctor of your alcohol use while you are on prescription drugs like gabapentin so that they can monitor your condition.