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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
Neurology
  • Ian Rutkofsky, HCA Healthcare
  • Kristy A. Fisher, HCA Healthcare
  • Clara Alvarez, MD, HCA Healthcare
  • Samuel A. Neuhut, HCA Healthcare
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
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
Citation Information
Rutkofsky I H, Fisher K A, Alvarez Villalba C L, et al. (June 30, 2020) 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. Cureus 12(6): e8931. doi:10.7759/cureus.8931