Possible Interaction: Cocaine and Gabapentin

“Previously, we reported that gabapentin , a nonselective &ggr;-aminobutyric acid agonist, reduced ‘positive’ subjective effects of cocaine without reducing cocaine self-administration.”

“The highest dose of gabapentin tested (1200 mg/day) decreased the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine (6 mg), decreased cocaine craving by 41-53% following cocaine administration (6 and 12 mg), and increased heart rate following either placebo or cocaine (12 mg) administration.”

“ Gabapentin did not reduce cocaine choice or cardiovascular measures, but it did decrease some subjective effects of cocaine (e.g., "Good Drug Effect" and "Anxious").”

“ Gabapentin was hypothesized to reduce cocaine use by restoring inhibitory GABAergic feedback on ascending dopaminergic projections to nucleus accumbens neurons.”

“Participants reporting gabapentin misuse had higher odds of reporting (mis)use of marijuana, cocaine , methamphetamine, prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, prescription stimulants, fentanyl, and buprenorphine (p < .042); severe substance use disorder (p < .000); and recent physical pain (p < .003).”

“Participants reported use of gabapentin in combination with buprenorphine, other opioids, cocaine , and caffeine to produce sought-after central nervous system effects (e.g., muscle relaxation, pain reduction, sleep induction, feeling drunk, and feeling “high”).”

“Previously, we reported that gabapentin , a lambda-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist, significantly reduced "positive" subjective effects of cocaine without reducing cocaine self-administration.”

“The potential pharmacologic interaction between cocaine and gabapentin is difficult to assess.”

“ Gabapentin (1-30 mg/kg), tiagabine (2.5-10 mg/kg) or vigabatrin (75-250 mg/kg) attenuated the cocaine (10 mg/kg)-induced hyperactivation and in the highest doses they also decreased basal locomotor activation.”