Sedatives & Hypnotics
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Street names: Neurontin, Gabbies, Johnnies, Gapentin
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Calm, sedation at high doses; nerve-pain relief at prescribed doses
- Recreational doses (1–3 g+) produce a floaty opioid-ish calm
⚠Key risks
- THE pregabalin shadow: same class, same misuse — present in a large share of opioid-overdose toxicologies
- Mixing with opioids multiplies respiratory depression — this combination kills
- Dependence and a nasty withdrawal (anxiety, insomnia, nausea)
- Diverted heavily in prisons and opioid-using communities
✚Overdose signs
- Extreme sedation
- Slurred speech, ataxia
- Respiratory depression (especially with opioids)
📋Quick facts
Also known asNeurontin, Gabbies, Johnnies, Gapentin
CategorySedatives & Hypnotics
Schedule / classNot federally scheduled US (state controls in ~15 states); POM UK/EU/AU
Appearance100–800 mg capsules/tablets
Street price~$0.50–$2 per 800 mg capsule grey-market
Legal statusRx-only; US states increasingly scheduling (Schedule V in ~15); UK reclassified POM 2019
Last updated2026-09-18
Sources: FDA, NHS, EMCDDA
Category comparison — Sedatives & Hypnotics
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabapentin (Neurontin) | Not federally scheduled US | THE pregabalin shadow: same class, same misuse — present in a large share of opioid-overdose toxicologies; Mixing with opioids multiplies respiratory depression — this combination kills | ~$0.50–$2 per 800 mg capsule grey-market |
| Pregabalin (Lyrica) | Schedule V | Dependence and withdrawal (insomnia, anxiety, seizures); Mixing with opioids multiplies overdose risk | ~$1–$5 per 300 mg capsule |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Gabapentin (Neurontin) look like?
100–800 mg capsules/tablets
What are the signs of a Gabapentin (Neurontin) overdose?
Extreme sedation; Slurred speech, ataxia; Respiratory depression (especially with opioids) Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
THE pregabalin shadow: same class, same misuse — present in a large share of opioid-overdose toxicologies Dependence can develop with regular use.