Gabapentin and Alcohol: Can You Mix Them?

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant used to treat various conditions, including seizures and neuralgia. Mixing prescription drugs like Gabapentin with alcohol can be very dangerous, as both have similar nervous system depressant effects. This combination can be incredibly dangerous, with side effects ranging from mild (drowsiness, dizziness, and stumbling) to more dangerous symptoms (trouble breathing, confusion & impaired mobility leading to injuries and risk of seizure).

This guide to gabapentin and alcohol explores the many risk factors of using these substances together. You can also discover how to connect with compassionate, science-based addiction treatment centers [2].

What Is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is a medication that helps manage seizures in people with epilepsy [3]. While it doesn’t cure epilepsy, it reduces the frequency and severity of seizures. Additionally, gabapentin can treat nerve pain, and it effectively reduces discomfort from shingles and RLS (restless legs syndrome).

While gabapentin is not a controlled substance, doctors are still selective about its medical distribution and do not prescribe it for arthritis or minor injury pain. You can only get gabapentin with a doctor’s prescription. It is available in capsules, tablets, and liquid form.

Uses of Gabapentin

Gabapentin serves several key purposes, including:

• Seizure management: Gabapentin aids individuals with epilepsy by decreasing the frequency of seizures.
• Nerve pain alleviation: It effectively reduces neuropathic pain (nerve pain), such as the discomfort from shingles [5] (postherpetic neuralgia) and restless leg syndrome.
• Additional uses: Occasionally, doctors prescribe gabapentin for off-label uses, such as treating anxiety or insomnia.

Clinical Trials of Gabapentin Use in Treating Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

In a clinical institute withdrawal assessment, gabapentin was administered to assist patients going through alcohol withdrawal syndrome in the hospital [1]. Patients were divided into three groups: those treated with gabapentin alone, those with benzodiazepines, and a mix of both. The results showed that using gabapentin helped shorten hospital stays and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Notably, gabapentin was safer to use and had fewer risks than benzodiazepines.

These clinical trials revealed that gabapentin could be a good choice for treating alcohol withdrawal, but more research is needed to find the most suitable patients for this treatment.

Side Effects of Gabapentin

Gabapentin can lead to various side effects. It’s important to be aware of them and consult your doctor if you experience any issues.

When you begin taking gabapentin, you might notice some mild side effects that usually go away over time:

• Feeling sleepy or drowsy
• Feeling dizzy
• Feeling tired
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Swelling in hands or feet
• Trouble concentrating
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Blurred vision
• Weight gain

If these side effects persist or become bothersome, talk to your doctor right away.

Using gabapentin for an extended period can have several impacts on your body and mind. Some long-term side effects include:

• Continued drowsiness and dizziness
• Cognitive changes, such as trouble with thinking and memory
• Mood and behavior changes, including increased anxiety, depression, or irritability
• Physical coordination issues, causing unsteadiness
• Weight gain and swelling in the hands, feet, or legs
• Digestive problems, like nausea, vomiting, or constipation
• Dependence and withdrawal symptoms if the medication is stopped suddenly [6]

Regular check-ups with your doctor can help manage these effects and ensure the medication is working properly.

Can You Take Gabapentin with Alcohol?

No, you should not take gabapentin with alcohol. Combining gabapentin and alcohol can be extremely hazardous. Both substances depress the CNS (central nervous system), which can lead to heightened and dangerous effects. Drinking alcohol while taking gabapentin significantly raises the risk of severe side effects and potential overdose.

This combination can result in excessive drowsiness, impaired motor skills, and serious respiratory issues. Alcohol consumption can also significantly decrease gabapentin efficacy, leading to a higher potential for seizures and other health issues that the drug is treating.

Additionally, mixing these substances can negatively impact mental health, worsening feelings of depression and anxiety. If you are prescribed this medication, avoiding alcohol is the best strategy.

Gabapentin Side Effects With Alcohol: Risks & Dangers

Combining gabapentin with alcohol can have serious consequences. Here are some of the major risks and dangers:

• Increased sedation: Both gabapentin and alcohol can cause drowsiness and sedation. When taken together, these effects can be much stronger, making it difficult to stay awake or alert. This can be especially dangerous if you need to drive or operate machinery.
• Impaired coordination: Both substances can affect your coordination and balance. Mixing them can make you more prone to falls and injuries.
• Breathing problems: Gabapentin and alcohol both depress the respiratory system. Taken together, they can slow your breathing to dangerous levels, which can be life-threatening.
• Increased risk of overdose: While gabapentin alone is usually not associated with overdose, combining it with alcohol increases the risk significantly. Symptoms of an overdose can include extreme drowsiness, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness.
• Mental health effects: Both substances can impact your mood and behavior. Using them together can increase feelings of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts.

Immediate Effects of Alcohol and Gabapentin

When alcohol and gabapentin are combined, the immediate effects can be severe. Here’s what can happen:

• Drowsiness and dizziness: Both substances cause drowsiness and dizziness on their own. Combined, these effects are intensified, making it hard to stay awake or focus.
• Nausea and vomiting: Mixing alcohol with gabapentin can upset your stomach, leading to nausea and vomiting.
• Impaired judgment: Alcohol and gabapentin together can impair your judgment, leading to poor decision-making and risky behaviors.
• Slow reflexes: Your reflexes can be significantly slowed down, making it dangerous to perform activities that require quick reactions.
• Memory issues: Both substances can affect your memory. You may have trouble remembering things or experience blackouts.
• Severe fatigue: The combination can lead to extreme tiredness, making it difficult to stay active or complete daily tasks.
• Reduced gabapentin efficacy: Combining gabapentin with alcohol can significantly reduce its ability to control nerve pain or seizures as intended.
• Respiratory depression: Alcohol consumption and gabapentin slow your breathing. Together, they can depress your respiratory system to dangerously low levels, increasing the risk of respiratory failure.

Potential Long-Term Effects of Gabapentin and Alcohol Interaction

Combining gabapentin and alcohol over a long period can lead to several serious health issues. Understanding these risks is essential for anyone taking gabapentin and consuming alcohol. Here are some potential long-term effects:

• Cognitive impairment: Extended use of gabapentin and alcohol together can harm brain function. Both substances depress the central nervous system, leading to persistent memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and overall cognitive decline. This can impact your ability to perform daily tasks and reduce your quality of life.
• Mood disorders: Long-term use of gabapentin and alcohol can lead to significant mood changes. Chronic use can result in ongoing depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. These conditions can be challenging to manage and may require long-term mental health treatment [7].
• Coordination and balance problems: Both gabapentin and alcohol affect coordination and balance. When used together over a long period, they can cause permanent issues with motor skills, making it difficult to walk, exercise, or perform daily activities. This increases the risk of falls and injuries, especially in older adults.
• Dependency and addiction: There is a higher risk of developing dependence on gabapentin and alcohol when they are used together. This can lead to a cycle of addiction that is difficult to break without professional help [8]. Dependence on these substances can severely impact your life, requiring comprehensive treatment to overcome.
• Respiratory issues: Both gabapentin and alcohol can depress respiratory function. Long-term use can lead to chronic breathing problems, making it harder to breathe normally and increasing the risk of respiratory infections and other pulmonary issues.
• Heart problems: Long-term use of gabapentin and alcohol can affect your heart health. The combination can cause changes in blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This can lead to serious conditions like heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes.
• Liver damage: Alcohol is known to cause liver damage, and combining it with gabapentin increases this risk. Long-term use can lead to liver conditions such as fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis, which can be life-threatening and require extensive medical treatment.
• Digestive problems: Both gabapentin and alcohol can cause gastrointestinal issues. Chronic use can lead to persistent nausea, vomiting, and constipation. The combination can also irritate the stomach lining, potentially leading to ulcers and other digestive problems.
•  Mental health issues: Using gabapentin and alcohol together over a long period can exacerbate mental health problems. This includes severe depression, anxiety, and increased suicidal thoughts. Managing these mental health issues can be challenging and often requires ongoing treatment.
•  Overdose risk: Regularly combining gabapentin and alcohol significantly increases the risk of overdose. Both substances depress the central nervous system, and their combined effects can be unpredictable and dangerous. Overdose symptoms include extreme drowsiness, confusion, slowed breathing, and loss of consciousness, which can be fatal.
•  Social and relationship impact: Long-term use of gabapentin and alcohol can negatively affect personal relationships and social interactions. Dependence on these substances can lead to isolation, conflicts with family and friends, and problems at work or school. The social consequences of substance abuse can be extensive and damaging.

To avoid these potential long-term effects, follow your doctor’s instructions when taking gabapentin and avoid consuming alcohol. Regular medical check-ups can help monitor your health and catch any issues early. If you find it challenging to avoid alcohol or experience any concerning symptoms, seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Understanding the risks and making informed decisions about your health can help you use gabapentin safely and maintain your overall well-being.

Gabapentin and Alcohol Symptoms of Withdrawal

Stopping gabapentin or alcohol suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms, which can be uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous. It’s important to understand these symptoms and learn how to manage them safely. Here are the common withdrawal symptoms for gabapentin and alcohol:

Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms

• Anxiety: You might feel very nervous or anxious.
• Insomnia: It can be hard to fall asleep or stay asleep.
• Nausea: You may feel queasy or sick to your stomach.
• Pain: Some people experience aches and pains in their body.
• Sweating: You might sweat more than usual, even when you’re not hot.
• Shaking: Your hands or body may tremble or shake.
• Headaches: Frequent headaches that can be quite severe.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms

Mild alcohol withdrawal mirrors many of Gabapentin’s withdrawal symptoms and may include:

• Shaking: Your hands or body may tremble.
• Sweating: You might sweat a lot, even in a cool room.
• Nausea and vomiting: Feeling sick to your stomach and possibly vomiting.
• Anxiety: Feeling very nervous or on edge.
• Headaches: Frequent and sometimes severe headaches.
• Insomnia: Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep.
• Irritability: Feeling easily annoyed or angry.
• Rapid heartbeat: Your heart may beat faster than normal.
• Alcohol cravings: Feeling a strong desire to drink alcohol for short-term relief.

Severe withdrawal symptoms

For both gabapentin and alcohol, there are severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention:

• Seizures: Acute alcohol withdrawal can cause uncontrollable shaking or convulsions.
• Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there.
• Confusion: Feeling very confused or having trouble thinking clearly.
• High blood pressure: Blood pressure can become dangerously high.

Managing withdrawal safely

• Consult your doctor: Always talk to a healthcare professional before stopping gabapentin or managing acute alcohol withdrawal alone. They can help create a safe plan to gradually reduce your use.
• Medical supervision: For severe symptoms, go through withdrawal under medical supervision.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated during withdrawal.
• Rest: Make sure to get enough rest to help your body recover.

If you or someone you know is experiencing withdrawal symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek help. Doctors and addiction specialists can provide treatments and support to make the withdrawal process safer and more comfortable. Never try to handle severe withdrawal on your own. Professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and well-being.

Gabapentin and Alcohol | FAQs

Can you take gabapentin and wine?

No, you should not take gabapentin and wine together. Mixing them can increase dizziness and drowsiness.

How long after gabapentin can I drink alcohol?

It’s best to wait at least 24 hours after taking gabapentin before drinking alcohol. This helps to reduce the risk of side effects.

What are other gabapentin warnings with alcohol?

Mixing gabapentin with alcohol can increase the risk of severe drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. It can also impair your ability to think clearly.

Are there any anticonvulsants that I can take safely with alcohol?

It’s generally not safe to mix alcohol with any anticonvulsants. Always talk to your doctor before drinking alcohol while on medication.

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Get Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction at Gratitude Lodge

If you have been mixing alcohol and prescription medications like gabapentin, we can help you get back on track at Gratitude Lodge. Our rehab centers are equipped to help with all types of substance misuse and alcohol dependence. Located in Newport Beach and Long Beach, California, Gratitude Lodge provides a welcoming and inclusive environment with no triggers or distractions where you can commit to recovery.

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The unique nature of all addictions means we personalize treatment, blending science-backed and holistic therapies including:

• Talk therapies
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Sources

[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7560568/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3678283/

[3] https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/epilepsy-and-seizures

[4] https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome

[5] https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/

[7] https://mhanational.org/mental-health-treatments

[8] https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001522.htm