Gabapentin for Post-Hospitalization Alcohol Relapse Prevention; Should Gabapentin Be Considered for FDA Approval in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder?: A Case Presentation and Literature Review

Division

East Florida

Hospital

Aventura Hospital and Medical Center

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

6-30-2020

Keywords

alcohol use disorder, naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram, gabapentin

Disciplines

Mental Disorders | Neurology | Psychiatry

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD), a chronic condition that affects many people worldwide, is characterized most commonly by a preoccupation with alcohol, an irresistible craving for or the inability to control the consumption of alcohol, and the marked resultant disturbance it bestows upon one’s life. Although a difficult and time-consuming condition to attempt to treat, there are currently three FDA-approved medications for AUD, including naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. However, literature points towards another agent, gabapentin, that may be efficacious in preventing relapse symptoms and cravings with enhanced effectivity in reducing post-hospitalization alcohol consumption behaviors. In this paper, we discuss a case presentation and literature review demonstrating the role of gabapentin in treating AUD and symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal, along with its potential use in relapse prevention.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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