Tag: controlled substance

Is Gabapentin a Narcotic/Controlled Substance?

The anti-seizure medication gabapentin is not currently considered a narcotic or controlled substance by the federal government, but certain states have enacted legislation so that the medication is treated as one or monitored by the state’s prescription drug monitoring program.

The use of a controlled substance is regulated by the federal government to prevent abuse or misuse. Prescription drug monitoring programs track prescriptions of certain medications to flag individuals who may be misusing them and at risk of an overdose.

In addition to preventing seizures in individuals with epilepsy, gabapentin may be prescribed to treat nerve or neuropathic pain caused by herpes virus or shingles in adults.

Gabapentin may be considered as an alternative to opioids, which can be highly addictive and result in overdoses and death. Often prescribed to treat pain, opioids are a controlled substance. Gabapentin is known as an opioid potentiate because it can increase the high felt with opioids such as fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine and even the street drug heroin.

As a result, gabapentin has potential for misuse or abuse. The combination of opioids and gabapentin may increase the risk of dying from an overdose likely due to depressed breathing. Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the elderly are at greatest risk of dying from this combination.

Why Is Lyrica a Controlled Substance?

Lyrica is a controlled substance that falls under schedule V classification. Some patients develop a dependence, requiring help to stop using it.

Lyrica is a controlled substance that belongs to a class of medications rated as having the lowest potential for abuse. Lyrica isn’t a narcotic, but it does produce similar effects.

People with a history of alcohol or drug abuse are at a greater risk of abusing Lyrica. Additionally, researchers have received reports of physical and/or psychological dependence.

Every year, thousands of people abuse prescription medications at least once, according to statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Understanding how your medications work and taking them according to your doctor’s instructions are two critical steps in minimizing the risk of abusing Lyrica.

Why Is Lyrica a Controlled Substance?

Lyrica is a Schedule V drug, which places it among those with the lowest potential for abuse. For this reason, research on the prevalence of Lyrica addiction has been minimal.

Studies do show that Lyrica produces psychoactive effects, such as euphoria, that are similar to those produced by other controlled substances. Reports have surfaced of patients abusing the medication. Research also suggests that although Lyrica is considered a controlled substance, it could serve as a viable substitute for medications that put patients at higher risk of abuse and addiction, including benzodiazepines and opioids.

What Is in Lyrica That Makes It a Controlled Substance?

So, what’s in Lyrica that makes it a controlled substance? This prescription medication, known as pregabalin in its generic form, isn’t a narcotic.

It’s a gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) analog that’s roughly three to four times more potent than its predecessor, gabapentin, according to research published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. It works by powerfully binding to components of the nervous system to soothe damaged or overactive nerves.

Side effects like dizziness and sleepiness could increase if you take Lyrica with alcohol or narcotic medications.

Although more research on Lyrica withdrawal is needed to fully understand the risks, patients who stop taking it without tapering the dosage over time could experience various withdrawal symptoms.