Gabapentinoid misuse, abuse and non-prescribed obtainment in a United States general population sample
- 2 January 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
- Vol. 43 (4), 1055-1064
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-020-01217-8
Abstract
Background Reports of gabapentinoid (gabapentin and pregabalin) misuse are on the rise, but few studies have assessed this within the general US population. Objective Describe lifetime misuse/abuse/non-prescribed obtainment of gabapentinoids and descriptive characteristics associated with such actions in a US general population sample. Setting This cross-sectional questionnaire was administered online by Qualtrics® research panel aggregator via quota-based sampling. Methods Data were collected from a sample of respondents that mirrored the general US population aged 18–59 years with regards to age, geographic region, ethnicity, income, and education level, based on most recent census data. Misuse/abuse/non-prescribed obtainment was collectively defined as use of a gabapentinoid for reasons other than a diagnosed medical condition, using with the intention of altering one’s state of consciousness, or obtaining without a prescription. A multivariable logistic regression model was created to predict misuse/abuse/non-prescribed obtainment of gabapentinoids, incorporating relevant covariates. Main outcome measure Proportion of sample indicating lifetime misuse/abuse/non-prescribed obtainment of gabapentinoids. Results Among 1,843 respondents, 121 (6.6%) reported gabapentinoid misuse/abuse/non-prescribed obtainment. Specifically, 2.1% (n = 39) and 1.5% (n = 27) of respondents for gabapentin and pregabalin, respectively, met study criteria for abuse. Opioids were the most common medication co-administered with gabapentinoids (among 50–70% of respondents) for misuse/abuse. Previous treatment for addiction (OR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.32–5.14, p = 0.005) and the total attitudinal risk score (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09–1.19, p < 0.001) were associated with gabapentinoid misuse/abuse/non-prescribed obtainment. Conclusion Among those surveyed, 6.6% reported previous gabapentinoid misuse/abuse/non-prescribed obtainment, providing one of the first estimates within a nationally distributed, US general population sample.Keywords
Funding Information
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
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