Summary:
- The article examines the growing clinical concerns regarding the off-label prescription of gabapentin, particularly its potential for misuse, abuse, and dependence.
- It highlights the pharmacological profile of gabapentinoids, discussing how they can exacerbate respiratory depression when combined with opioids or other central nervous system depressants.
- The piece emphasizes the importance of evidence-based prescribing practices and the need for clinicians to weigh the risks of adverse effects against the limited therapeutic efficacy for many off-label pain conditions.