MIxing Alcohol & Gabapentin (Neurontin)

What Happens if You Drink Alcohol With Gabapentin?

Some physicians consider small amounts of alcohol safe while taking gabapentin. However, it does have the potential to increase the risk or severity of some side effects. Both alcohol and anticonvulsants can depress, or slow down, respirations. If these substances are mixed their effect can multiply. Suppressed breathing will cause the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream to lower to dangerous levels. This lack of oxygen can cause loss of consciousness or even death.

How Gabapentin & Alcohol Interact in the Brain & Body

Gabapentin belongs to a classification of medications known as anticonvulsants. These prescription drugs are designed to mitigate sudden spikes in brain activity (3). They do this by altering the way in which nerves in the brain communicate with each other. By limiting these sharp increases in brain activity, they are able to prevent seizures and specific types of pain. It is also for this reason that they can potentially cause suppression of other functions of the brain and body like breathing.

Alcohol is a depressant belonging to the category of sedative-hypnotics. These chemical compounds are responsible for depressing the central nervous system. They are often used for their calming effects both as prescription medications and as recreational drugs. They are often prescribed to patients who are dealing with symptoms of anxiety, panic, or insomnia. With their depression of the central nervous system, they can also cause suppression of important functions like breathing, balance, and basic motor skills.

Can Drinking Alcohol While Taking Gabapentin Cause Adverse Side Effects?

Both alcohol and gabapentin (4) are known to cause depression of some primary bodily functions. The most prominent of these is respiration. In moderate doses the body is still able to function properly with the amount of breathing suppression. However, when used in excess or when combined, these sedating compounds can lead to a multitude of side effects. The worst of these effects includes loss of consciousness or death.

Can Mixing Alcohol With Gabapentin Be Dangerous?

Mixing substances like gabapentin and alcohol can cause a compounding effect. Many accidental overdoses occur due to combining multiple substances. This synergistic interaction will cause many users to unknowingly take a potentially harmful dose.

As high amounts of alcohol and gabapentin are combined, users may begin to feel a higher suppression of their central nervous system than normal. The central nervous system is the body’s method of communication. If this system is disrupted dramatically, it can impact primary functions necessary for survival. Potentially life threatening effects of mixing alcohol with a substance like gabapentin are lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, unconsciousness, or loss of motor function. If left untreated, these overdose symptoms can cause permanent damage or death.