If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness, slurred speech, weakness.

In recent years, gabapentin, sold under the brand name Neurontin, has become abused more regularly by those seeking a calming high similar to that brought on by opioid drugs.

Gabapentin even has a street name — ”gabbies” — for recreational use. As the rate of abuse increases, many wonder “Can you overdose on gabapentin?” Here, we’ll discuss whether and how gabapentin overdose can happen and what to expect if someone has taken too much gabapentin.

Can You Overdose on Gabapentin?

Despite the well-known withdrawal side effects, it’s difficult to overdose on gabapentin. Studies have shown that even at very high levels of ingestion, people have only suffered mild to moderate physical and mental side effects that are rarely life-threatening. So far, there have been only two peer-reviewed case reports of death [1] [2] from gabapentin toxicity (related to gabapentin overdose). Despite this low statistic, gabapentin abuse as a suicide attempt has risen over the years.

While this means gabapentin is a relatively safe drug, it still should not be ingested in large amounts. However, people taking gabapentin should be aware that it does have particularly unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, even after taking it for a relatively short amount of time and at low doses.

Symptoms of Gabapentin Overdose

Most side effects of a gabapentin overdose will be related to an overall deceleration of the body’s systems. Drowsiness, muscle weakness, lethargy and drooping eyelids can be expected. Other gabapentin overdose symptoms include diarrhea and sedation. These symptoms arise because gabapentin is formulated to slow down misfirings in the brain that cause seizures.

Those who use gabapentin should be aware that stopping gabapentin abruptly can actually increase the chance of experiencing seizure activity. Suddenly removing the anti-seizure effect can cause a rebound, raising the risk of seizures. Gabapentin is a powerful drug that must be tapered slowly to avoid some of its more severe withdrawal side effects.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Clumsiness or unsteadiness
2. continuous, uncontrolled, back-and-forth, or rolling eye movements

More common in children

1. Aggressive behavior or other behavior problems
2. anxiety
3. concentration problems and change in school performance
4. crying
5. depression
6. false sense of well-being
7. hyperactivity or increase in body movements
8. rapidly changing moods
9. reacting too quickly, too emotional, or overreacting
10. restlessness
11. suspiciousness or distrust

Less common

1. Black, tarry stools
2. chest pain
3. chills
4. cough
5. depression, irritability, or other mood or mental changes
6. fever
7. loss of memory
8. pain or swelling in the arms or legs
9. painful or difficult urination
10. shortness of breath
11. sore throat
12. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
13. swollen glands
14. unusual bleeding or bruising
15. unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

1. Abdominal or stomach pain
2. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
3. clay-colored stools
4. coma
5. confusion
6. convulsions
7. dark urine
8. decreased urine output
9. diarrhea
10. dizziness
11. fast or irregular heartbeat
12. headache
13. increased thirst
14. itching or skin rash
15. joint pain
16. large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
17. loss of appetite
18. muscle ache or pain
19. nausea
20. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
21. red, irritated eyes
22. unpleasant breath odor
23. vomiting of blood
24. yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

1. Blurred vision
2. cold or flu-like symptoms
3. delusions
4. dementia
5. hoarseness
6. lack or loss of strength
7. lower back or side pain
8. swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs
9. trembling or shaking

Less common or rare

1. Accidental injury
2. appetite increased
3. back pain
4. bloated or full feeling
5. body aches or pain
6. burning, dry, or itching eyes
7. change in vision
8. change in walking and balance
9. clumsiness or unsteadiness
10. congestion
11. constipation
12. cough producing mucus
13. decrease in sexual desire or ability
14. difficulty with breathing
15. dryness of the mouth or throat
16. earache
17. excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
18. excessive tearing
19. eye discharge
20. feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness
21. feeling of warmth or heat
22. flushed, dry skin
23. flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
24. frequent urination
25. fruit-like breath odor
26. impaired vision
27. incoordination
28. increased hunger
29. increased sensitivity to pain
30. increased sensitivity to touch
31. increased thirst
32. indigestion
33. noise in the ears
34. pain, redness, rash, swelling, or bleeding where the skin is rubbed off
35. passing gas
36. redness or swelling in the ear
37. redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
38. runny nose
39. sneezing
40. sweating
41. tender, swollen glands in the neck
42. tightness in the chest
43. tingling in the hands and feet
44. trouble sleeping
45. trouble swallowing
46. trouble thinking
47. twitching
48. unexplained weight loss
49. voice changes
50. vomiting
51. weakness or loss of strength
52. weight gain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.