Is Gabapentin a Controlled Substance? Legal Status and Risks

Is Gabapentin a Controlled Substance?

Gabapentin (brand name Neurontin) does not appear on the federal controlled substances list. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has not scheduled it under the Controlled Substances Act. But that does not tell the full story.

As of 2026, at least seven states classify gabapentin as a Schedule V controlled substance. Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee, Alabama, and North Dakota now require prescriptions to be tracked through Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs).

What You Need to Know Right Now

• Gabapentin is prescribed for seizures, nerve pain, and restless leg syndrome.
• Federal law does not classify it as a controlled substance.
• At least seven states have added it to their controlled substance lists.
• Misuse rates increased 165% between 2012 and 2019, per NIDA data.
• Combining gabapentin with opioids raises fatal overdose risk significantly.

Why States Started Controlling Gabapentin

The CDC flagged gabapentin in its 2019 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Autopsy data showed gabapentin present in an increasing number of opioid overdose deaths. When people combine gabapentin with opioids, the sedative effects multiply. Breathing slows. Fatal respiratory depression becomes far more likely.

Kentucky became the first state to classify gabapentin as a Schedule V controlled substance in 2017. The state’s medical examiner had found gabapentin in 33% of all drug overdose deaths that year.

How Gabapentin Misuse Works

People misuse gabapentin for its calming, euphoric effects at high doses. Some take far more than prescribed. Others combine it with opioids or benzodiazepines to intensify the high.

Common patterns of misuse include:

1. Taking doses above 3,600 mg daily (the maximum recommended dose).
2. Crushing and snorting capsules for faster onset.
3. Buying gabapentin from street markets. Street prices range from $0.50 to $1 per pill in areas without scheduling.
4. Stacking gabapentin with alcohol, opioids, or muscle relaxers.

Risks of Gabapentin Misuse

Gabapentin alone rarely causes fatal overdose. But polydrug combinations change the equation.

• Respiratory depression: Combining gabapentin with opioids or benzodiazepines suppresses breathing.
• Seizures: Abruptly stopping gabapentin after heavy use triggers withdrawal seizures.
• Sedation: High doses cause extreme drowsiness, increasing fall and injury risk.
• Dependence: Tolerance builds with regular use, leading to dose escalation.

The FDA added a boxed warning in December 2019 about serious breathing difficulties when gabapentin is used with CNS depressants or in patients with respiratory risk factors.

Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms

Stopping gabapentin abruptly after prolonged use produces real withdrawal symptoms. These include:

• Anxiety and agitation
• Insomnia
• Nausea and sweating
• Pain sensitivity
• Seizures (in severe cases)

Medical supervision is recommended for tapering. A gradual dose reduction over 1 to 2 weeks prevents the worst withdrawal effects.

Safe Use Guidelines

For people with legitimate prescriptions, gabapentin remains a valuable medication. Safe use means:

• Taking the exact dose your prescriber ordered.
• Never sharing gabapentin with others.
• Avoiding alcohol and other sedatives while taking it.
• Reporting any unusual euphoria or drowsiness to your doctor.
• Tapering off gradually with medical guidance if discontinuing.

The Federal Scheduling Debate

Advocates for federal scheduling argue the state-by-state approach creates inconsistency. A person crossing from Kentucky (scheduled) to Ohio (not scheduled) faces different rules for the same drug. The American Medical Association has called for more research into gabapentin misuse but has not endorsed federal scheduling.

Opponents of scheduling worry that adding restrictions would limit access for chronic pain patients who benefit from gabapentin. Many pain specialists use gabapentin as a safer alternative to opioids.

Your Next Steps if Gabapentin Use Concerns You

If you take gabapentin and notice tolerance building, talk to your prescriber. If someone you know is combining gabapentin with opioids or alcohol, that combination carries real overdose risk. SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) provides free referrals to treatment 24 hours a day. You do not need insurance to call.