Gabapentin Usage for Alcohol disorder and Alcohol withdrawal

Alcohol use disorder, moderate to severe (alternative agent)

Data from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies support the use of gabapentin in the maintenance of abstinence in patients with alcohol use disorder.

Based on the American Psychiatric Association (APA) guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of patients with alcohol use disorder, gabapentin is suggested for patients with alcohol use disorder (moderate to severe) who want to decrease or abstain from use of alcohol and either prefer gabapentin or are unable to tolerate or are unresponsive to naltrexone and acamprosate .

Based on the VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for the management of substance use disorders, gabapentin given for moderate to severe alcohol use disorder is effective and suggested when first-line pharmacotherapy is contraindicated or ineffective.

Alcohol withdrawal, mild (alternative agent)

Data from a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study support the use of gabapentin in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal.

Based on the VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for the management of substance use disorders, gabapentin given for mild alcohol withdrawal is effective and suggested when the risk of benzodiazepines outweigh the benefits (eg, inadequate monitoring available, abuse liability, contraindication, adverse reaction).