Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38031769›Full record

ReviewCurrent drug research reviews2025

A Hidden Pandemic? Abuse of Gabapentinoids: A Brief Review of Recent Studies.

Gamze Zengin Ispir, Mustafa Danısman, Kubra Sezer Katar

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Current drug research reviews, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
1.0field-weighted citation impact, top 21% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 3 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Updates in the Treatment of Rosacea with γ-Aminobutyric Acid Derivatives.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2025
    Review
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors at 1 institution in 3 countries.

Gamze Zengin IspirAlcohol and Drug Treatment and Research Center, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.ORCID 0000-0003-3936-6619
Mustafa DanısmanAlcohol and Drug Treatment and Research Center, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.ORCID 0000-0002-7403-8840
Kubra Sezer KatarAlcohol and Drug Treatment and Research Center, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.ORCID 0000-0001-7184-7960
Ministry of Health · TR

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGabapentin and pregabalin were developed for epilepsy and neuropathic pain. They work via voltage-gated calcium channels and are used for broad-spectrum diagnoses, e.g., epilepsy, neuropathic pain, other chronic pain syndromes, anxiety disorders, alcohol-drug withdrawal syndromes, agitation, insomnia, etc. Especially in a world dealing with the opioid crisis, gabapentinoids were considered safer alternatives to opioid analgesics.

methodsThis review aims to comprehensively search and summarize recent studies concerning the abuse of gabapentinoids published between 2021 and 2022 from various regions around the world.

resultsStudies have highlighted that a history of substance use disorder is a significant risk factor for gabapentinoid abuse. Concurrent abuse of gabapentinoids with illicit drugs can exacerbate drug-related damages. Drug screening and postmortem toxicology tests have revealed an increase in gabapentinoid consumption. In response to the abuse potential, several countries have classified gabapentinoids as controlled substances.

conclusionGabapentinoids are highly abused molecules worldwide. Physicians should be aware of their abuse potential.

Indexed as

AnalgesicsGabapentinPregabalinSubstance-Related DisordersHumansIllicit DrugsRisk FactorsAnalgesicsGabapentinIllicit DrugsPregabalingabapentingabapentinoidopioid epidemicPregabalinprescription drug misuseprescription drug use disorder.

Identifiers

PMID38031769
OpenAlexW4389180169

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.