Popular Nerve-Pain Drug Gabapentin Under Scrutiny for Addiction, Harm

• Gabapentin, America's 7th most prescribed drug, faces renewed scrutiny despite its initial promise as a non-addictive opioid alternative.
• Patients report severe withdrawal symptoms, challenging the long-held belief that the drug is non-habit-forming.
• Most prescriptions are for off-label uses not approved by the FDA, with growing evidence linking it to dementia, suicidal behavior, and breathing problems.
• Often combined with opioids, the drug has been implicated in over 5,000 overdose deaths annually, as warned by the CDC.
• Its widespread use surged as doctors sought "safe harbor" from opioid regulations, despite a history of illegal marketing and patient harm.

Why It Matters: Gabapentin, once a "safe harbor" for pain, is now questioned for addiction risks, off-label harm, and overdose deaths.