Law enforcement experiences with gabapentin: non-medical use, diversion, and state controlled substances laws

ABSTRACT

Background

Non-medical use (NMU) of gabapentin is a growing trend; data indicate that gabapentin diversion is increasing. Yet, scant information is known about the informal marketplace for this medication.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected to contextualize reports of gabapentin NMU and diversion and recent state-level controlled substances laws. A sample of prescription drug diversion investigators (n = 46) from 25 states completed an open-ended brief questionnaire about their experiences with gabapentin, including characteristics of users, polysubstance use, street value, and recent laws in seven states which classified gabapentin as a controlled substance.

Results

Respondents universally described NMU of gabapentin occurring in conjunction with other drugs, including illicit and prescription opioids (52%) and methamphetamine (33%). The most commonly reported street prices were between $1.00 and $2.00 per tablet with prices reaching $10.00 per tablet in some jurisdictions. Nearly all respondents (89%) supported laws classifying gabapentin as a controlled substance. Motivations for doing so included controlling gabapentin NMU and diversion and placing additional controls on prescribing and dispensing of gabapentin.

Conclusions

Gabapentin appears to be a component of polysubstance use, including opioids and methamphetamine. With strong support for state-level action to control NMU and diversion of gabapentin, continued surveillance will provide necessary data to assess these policies.

KEYWORDS:

• Gabapentin
• opioids
• methamphetamine
• diversion
• controlled substances
• policy

Disclosure statement

The RADARS® System is supported by subscriptions from pharmaceutical manufacturers, government and non-government agencies for surveillance, research and reporting services. RADARS® System is the property of Denver Health and Hospital Authority, a political subdivision of the State of Colorado. Denver Health retains exclusive ownership of all data, databases and systems. Subscribers do not participate in data collection, nor do they have access to the raw data.

Data availability statement

The data that supports this study will be shared upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Contract No. RAD-E-1008-SO3 from Denver Health and Hospital Authority.