ArticleThe International journal on drug policy2025
Changing Trends in Nonmedical Gabapentin Use Among a Cohort of Rural Appalachian People Who Use Drugs: A Longitudinal Study Over the Time Period of Scheduling Changes in Kentucky.
Article in The International journal on drug policy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Early effects of scheduling gabapentin on medication adherence among epilepsy patients on gabapentin in Virginia.The International journal on drug policy · 2026Article
- A comprehensive analysis of jurisdiction-specific laws related to scheduling or required prescription drug monitoring of gabapentin in the United States, 2016-2024.The International journal on drug policy · 2026Article
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6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundRecently, nonmedical gabapentin (Neurontin) use has increased in the United States, leading to its classification as schedule V substance in Kentucky in 2017. This paper examines patterns in nonmedical gabapentin (Neurontin) use in people who use drugs (PWUD) over the time of scheduling changes.
methodsLongitudinal data (2008-2020) from the Social Networks among Appalachian People (SNAP) study were analyzed. SNAP participants (n = 503) met criteria of being ≥ 18 years old, residing in Appalachian Kentucky, and reporting recent nonmedical prescription opioid, methamphetamine, cocaine, or heroin use. A mixed-effects logistic regression model assessed changes in nonmedical gabapentin (Neurontin) use over time. Independent variables included baseline demographics and time-varying measures of age, disability status, insurance, and recent nonmedical substance use. Changes in gabapentin (Neurontin) sourcing before and after scheduling were assessed using chi-square and McNemar's tests.
resultsNonmedical gabapentin (Neurontin) use increased significantly (aOR = 3.51, 95 % CI: 2.91-4.24), from 0 % in 2008 to 56 % in 2020. By 2020, gabapentin (Neurontin) use exceeded that of prescription opioids. Before scheduling, most (55 %) participants obtained gabapentin (Neurontin) from regulated sources; afterward, this dropped to one-third (p < 0.001). A within-person analysis confirmed a significant decline in regulated sources (p = 0.01).
conclusionsNonmedical gabapentin (Neurontin) use continued to rise post-scheduling, with sources shifting from regulated to unregulated. These findings highlight potential unintended consequences of scheduling policies on access and distribution.
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