Gabapentin Rules: A State-by-State Look

Increasing Use and Misuse

Gabapentin is a drug that more and more people are using. It's often prescribed for nerve pain and other conditions. But there's a catch: some people might misuse it. This has led to different states making their own rules about gabapentin.

State-Level Regulations

From 2016 to 2024, half of the states and territories in the U.S. made changes to how gabapentin is controlled. Some states decided to treat it like a controlled substance, similar to other drugs that can be misused. Others just made doctors report when they prescribe it.

Timeline and Regions

Most of these changes happened between 2016 and 2019. The states that made these changes are mostly in the Appalachian and Eastern Midwest regions. This means that in these areas, it's harder to get gabapentin without extra checks.

Impact and Questions

But what does this mean for people who need the drug? And does it really help prevent misuse? These are big questions that need more research. The rules are different in each state, so it's important to understand how these changes affect people's health and safety.