Gabapentin & Suboxone: Can You Take Them Together?

Suboxone can play an important role in opioid addiction treatment, because it helps patients to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. While Suboxone can be highly effective for treating opioid addiction, it is important to evaluate the interactions between this drug and any other medications you are taking before starting a Suboxone regimen.

One interaction that may come with risks is that between gabapentin and Suboxone. If you’re taking either of these medications and plan to start the other, you need to understand the potential side effects that can occur when taking Suboxone and gabapentin together. It is always recommended that you speak with your prescribing physician to learn more about medication interactions. 

What Is Gabapentin?

Before diving into the gabapentin Suboxone interaction effects, it is helpful to have an understanding of gabapentin and its uses. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants, and it is used to treat seizures in individuals with epilepsy. Gabapentin can also treat nerve pain and restless leg syndrome. 

On occasion, gabapentin may be used to treat diabetic nerve damage, which can cause pain along with numbness and tingling in the feet. 

Is Gabapentin A Controlled Substance?

Gabapentin is not currently classified as a controlled substance at the Federal level, but some states are classifying it as a Schedule V Controlled substance due to its potential for abuse. When misused, gabapentin can create feelings of euphoria and have a sedative effect, which may lead some people to take larger doses than prescribed by a doctor, or take the medication to get high, rather than for an intended medical use. 

Is Gabapentin A Depressant or Narcotic?

Gabapentin may be used to treat nerve pain, but it is not a narcotic drug. People typically reserve the term “narcotic” to refer to opioid pain relievers like Vicodin. 

Gabapentin does have a depressant effect on the central nervous system, as it can lead to sedation. As such, some of the side effects of gabapentin include drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tiredness, and blurred vision. 

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Does Gabapentin Affect Suboxone?

When taken together, gabapentin and Suboxone can have interaction effects. In fact, gabapentin is said to have a major interaction with Suboxone.

Some Suboxone gabapentin interaction side effects are as follows:

• Respiratory distress 
• Extreme confusion
• Severe dizziness
• Extreme sleepiness
• Nonresponsiveness 
• Coma
• Death

So, can you take Suboxone and gabapentin together? Doing so can be risky, because both medications can depress the central nervous system. You should always consult with your doctor before taking these two medications together.

The problem with mixing these drugs is that gabapentin and buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Suboxone, can both impact breathing. When combined, gabapentin can affect Suboxone, and vice versa, intensifying the sedative effect that occurs with either drug on its own. 

What Will Happen If I Take Gabapentin and Suboxone Together?

Given the serious risks that can occur when combining gabapentin and Suboxone, it is not recommended to take these two medications together, unless you have consulted with a doctor. Combining the two medications can lead to serious side effects, including breathing difficulties, coma, and death.

Some patients, such as the elderly and those with underlying respiratory problems, are at especially high risk of experiencing significant side effects with Suboxone and gabapentin. While some people are at higher risk, anyone can experience negative effects from Suboxone gabapentin interaction, especially if you take large doses of either drug. 

What Is The Right Dosage of Gabapentin To Take With Suboxone?

It is impossible to determine the exact dose of gabapentin with Suboxone, as each patient’s individual needs will differ depending upon their age, gender, and health history. Experts recommend that if a person must take gabapentin and Suboxone together, they should take the lowest possible dose of gabapentin. Patients should also work closely with their doctor to monitor for symptoms of respiratory distress or severe sedation. 

Signs of Gabapentin-Induced Opioid Overdose

When gabapentin and Suboxone are taken together, an overdose is possible, because the two medications can interact and create a strong sedative effect. Some signs that you may be experiencing a gabapentin Suboxone overdose include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Extreme lethargy
• Severe dizziness or lightheadedness
• Disorientation
• Blue-tinted skin or lips
• Unresponsiveness

If you are taking gabapentin and Subxone together and show the above symptoms, it is time to seek immediate medical attention for treatment of an overdose. 

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FAQs About Gabapentin And Suboxone

If you’re considering taking gabapentin with Suboxone, the following FAQs may be helpful.

Is Gabapentin A Strong Painkiller?

Gabapentin is sometimes used to treat nerve pain, but it is not considered a narcotic painkiller.

Is Gabapentin An Opioid?

Gabapentin belongs to a class of medications called anticonvulsants, and it is not an opioid painkiller. 

Is Gabapentin An Opioid Blocker?

Gabapentin is not known to block the effects of opioids like buprenorphine, which is the main drug in Suboxone. In fact, taking gabapentin and buprenorphine together can actually enhance the opioid effects of buprenorphine. 

Can I Take Gabapentin For Suboxone Withdrawal?

Some scientists have taken an interest in the potential use of gabapentin for opioid withdrawal, but this is not an FDA-approved use of gabapentin. If you’re looking for help with undergoing withdrawal from Suboxone or another opioid, it is always best to consult with a Suboxone doctor. 

Do People Abuse Gabapentin?

Some people may abuse gabapentin, because it can create feelings of euphoria and sedation, both of which can be pleasant. People with a history of opioid abuse or mental health conditions are more likely to misuse gabapentin. 

How Do People Abuse Gabapentin?

People may abuse gabapentin by taking larger amounts of the medication than prescribed or by purchasing the medication off of the street. They may also combine it with other substances in an attempt to increase the high associated with these drugs. 

Is Gabapentin 300 mg Strong?

A 300 mg dose of gabapentin is considered a low dose of the medication. Doses of under 900 mg are considered low doses. 

Can you take  gabapentin with buprenorphine?

Some people may take gabapentin with buprenorphine if they are prescribed a buprenorphine-containing drug like Suboxone, but there are risks associated with taking buprenorphine and gabapentin together. 

Not only can the two drugs interact and lead to breathing problems and overdose; gabapentin misuse is also more likely among those with a history of opioid misuse. This means that people taking Suboxone to treat opioid addiction may be more likely to develop problems with gabapentin misuse. 

Consult With a Suboxone Doctor Through Confidant Health 

If you’re in search of opioid addiction treatment, an online Suboxone clinic through Confidant Health can link you to a certified doctor who can prescribe Suboxone and monitor any side effects you might experience with this medication. 

Our app is available on both the Apple Store and Google Play Store. Download it today to access virtual opioid addiction treatment from the comfort of home. 

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