It was initially introduced in the market in 1993 as an epilepsy treatment. Today, the elderly–people of age 65 and above–are said to be the group most likely to be addicted to gabapentinoids. But that is not the major problem. These days, another category of drugs, pregabalin–which actually replaced gabapentinoids–has gained recognition as a treatment for extreme fatigue, muscle pain and other conditions.

While the drug continues to get approval for treatment of generalized anxiety disorders in both the US and the UK, there is growing concern that some category of people may be at high risk of becoming addicted to it.

Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire have revealed that pregabalin is capable of getting people addicted if taken beyond the prescribed dose. They researchers noted that when taken in higher than recommended doses, the product easily causes some sort of euphoria that will make you not want take more of it subsequently.

There is concrete evidence to show that these medications (gapapentinoids and pregabalin) very easily lead to dependence. And of course, dependence is the gateway to addiction. Baby boomers, one category of people particularly vulnerable to gabapentiniod use, are feared to be most at risk of becoming addicted to the drug.

With all the information gathered on their functioning, it is just normal that make every possible effort to be watchful of how these drugs are used.  Healthcare providers generally know how addictive gabapentinoids can be. It is therefore incumbent on them to be particularly at alert not to let treating patients with the drug lead to an addiction.