Short answer: Gabapentin (Neurontin) is one of the most prescribed medicines in the US, approved for shingles nerve pain, partial seizures, and (as Horizant) restless legs syndrome. It is not a federal controlled substance, but several states classify it as Schedule V because it is misused, especially with opioids.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Gabapentin is a gabapentinoid and not a federally controlled substance.
- Main uses: Shingles pain; seizures; restless legs.
- Timing: effects start in 2 to 3 hours (peak) and last 6 to 8 hours.
- Most dangerous mix: Alcohol, which can cause additive sedation.
- Naloxone: it does not reverse this drug, but give it whenever opioids could be involved.
- Dependence risk: Low to moderate.
- Legal route: prescription only, filled by a licensed pharmacy.
What is gabapentin?
Gabapentin is approved for postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles) in adults and as an add-on treatment for partial-onset seizures in people 3 and older. Gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant) is approved for restless legs syndrome and postherpetic neuralgia.
It is also widely prescribed off-label for other nerve pain, alcohol use disorder, anxiety, hot flashes, and insomnia, with varying evidence.
Quick facts
| Fact | Gabapentin |
|---|---|
| Generic name | Gabapentin |
| Brand names | Neurontin, Gralise; Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil) |
| Drug class | Gabapentinoid |
| US legal status | Prescription only; not federally controlled; Schedule V in several states |
| Approved uses | Postherpetic neuralgia; partial-onset seizures (add-on); restless legs (Horizant) |
| Forms | Capsules, tablets, oral solution, extended-release tablets |
| Onset | Hours to days for pain relief |
| Half-life | 5 to 7 hours |
| Cleared by | Kidneys, unchanged |
How long does gabapentin last?
- Starts working: 2 to 3 hours (peak)
- Effects last: 6 to 8 hours
- Half-life: 5 to 7 hours
Its half-life is 5 to 7 hours in healthy kidneys, so it is mostly gone within 2 days.
Timing varies with the dose, the form, how it is taken, liver and kidney function, age, and other drugs taken at the same time.
What are the biggest risks of gabapentin?
Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, fatigue, swelling of the legs, and blurred vision.
Serious risks include breathing problems with opioids or in lung disease, allergic reactions (DRESS), suicidal thoughts (antiseizure class warning), and misuse, mainly by people who also use opioids.
Warning: The FDA warns that gabapentin and pregabalin can cause serious, sometimes fatal, breathing problems when combined with opioids or other sedatives, and in older adults and people with lung disease.
What should you never mix with gabapentin?
| Combined with | What happens | Label guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Opioids | Slowed breathing; higher overdose risk; opioids raise gabapentin levels | Use lowest doses; monitor |
| Alcohol | Additive sedation | Avoid |
| Benzodiazepines and sleep medicines | Additive sedation | Use caution |
| Antacids with aluminum or magnesium | Lower gabapentin absorption by about 20% | Take gabapentin 2 hours after |
Check any combination with the DoseUses combination checker or ask a pharmacist.
What are the signs of a gabapentin overdose, and what should you do?
Gabapentin overdose causes double vision, slurred speech, drowsiness, lethargy, and diarrhea. Serious overdoses usually involve opioids or other sedatives, which can stop breathing.
If someone may have overdosed
- Call 911 if the person is unresponsive, hard to wake, or breathing slowly.
- For advice when the person is awake and stable, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US, free, 24 hours).
- If opioids could be involved, including pills not from a pharmacy, give naloxone if you have it. Naloxone does not reverse gabapentin, but it will not harm the person.
- Stay with the person and place them on their side if they are drowsy or vomiting.
What is gabapentin withdrawal like, and how long does it last?
Stopping gabapentin after regular use can cause withdrawal. The label advises tapering over at least one week.
- Days 1 to 2Symptoms beginAnxiety, insomnia, sweating, nausea, pain.
- Days 2 to 10PeakAgitation, confusion, and in people with epilepsy, seizures.
- WeeksRecoverySymptoms usually resolve within weeks.
See the withdrawal timelines and the full gabapentin withdrawal guide.
Is gabapentin legal?
In the United States, gabapentin is a prescription-only medicine. It is not a federal controlled substance, so the only legal way to get it is with a prescription from a licensed clinician, filled by a licensed pharmacy.
- Refills: refills follow ordinary prescription rules, but some states treat it as a controlled substance with tighter limits.
- Pharmacies: a legitimate pharmacy always requires a valid prescription, has a licensed pharmacist available, and is licensed in the state it ships to. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm a pharmacy is real.
- Cost: generic gabapentin is among the least expensive prescription medicines.
Outside the United States
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Class C since 2019; prescription only |
| Canada | Prescription medicine |
| Australia | Schedule 4 prescription medicine |
| International | Not under UN control |
Frequently asked questions about gabapentin
Is gabapentin a controlled substance?
Not federally. Several states classify it as Schedule V, and many track it in their prescription monitoring programs.
Is gabapentin a narcotic?
No. It is not an opioid, but it can be misused and adds to opioid overdose risk.
Can gabapentin help with anxiety or sleep?
It is sometimes used off-label for these, but evidence is limited and it is not FDA-approved for them.
How long does gabapentin stay in your system?
Its half-life is 5 to 7 hours in healthy kidneys, so it is mostly gone within 2 days.
Sources
- Neurontin (gabapentin) prescribing information, DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine.
- FDA warns about serious breathing problems with seizure and nerve pain medicines gabapentin and pregabalin, US Food and Drug Administration, 2019.
- BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information, US Food and Drug Administration.
- Safe Pharmacy, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
- One Pill Can Kill, US Drug Enforcement Administration.
- International drug control conventions, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This guide summarizes the sourced DoseUses Gabapentin profile, written from FDA labels, DEA rules, and federal health agencies. It is educational and is not medical advice. Last updated October 5, 2026.
