How Much Does Gabapentin Cost On The Street?

Gabapentin (Neurontin) is an anticonvulsant medication that is prescribed in capsule, tablet, and oral solution form. In 2025, the drug is sold on the street for about $1 per 100 milligrams (mg).

For someone who is starting to abuse the drug, 300-600 mg is enough to produce a euphoric high. People who have become addicted to gabapentin will often need to ingest 1200 to 3000 mg to experience similar effects. The average cost for prescription medications on the street is determined by a variety of factors, including location, ease of acquisition, local laws, government regulations, and more.

What Factors Can Affect The Price Of Gabapentin?

Gabapentin, originally developed as an anticonvulsant and later used for neuropathic pain, has increasingly entered illicit markets as awareness of its psychoactive properties has grown. Gabapentin is not a controlled substance and is relatively easy to purchase illegally and in large quantities. This medication does not require reporting to the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) in many states throughout the U.S.

Factors that affect the price of gabapentin on the street include:

• Prescription availability: gabapentin is widely prescribed and relatively easy to obtain legally, keeping street prices generally low
• Dosage and quantity: higher-dose capsules (600mg, 800mg) typically command better prices than lower doses
• Regional prescription patterns: areas with higher legitimate prescribing rates often have more diversion and lower prices
• Awareness of effects: markets where knowledge of gabapentin’s psychoactive properties is limited may see inconsistent pricing
• Use as adulterant or mixer: often sold mixed with other substances or used to enhance opioid effects, affecting standalone pricing
• Legal status uncertainty: since it’s not federally controlled, enforcement varies by location, influencing availability
• Competition with controlled substances: generally priced lower than scheduled drugs due to easier access and lower legal penalties
• Prison and institutional demand: high demand in correctional facilities, where it may be easier to obtain than other substances

The illicit gabapentin market reflects the drug’s unique position as an unscheduled medication with abuse potential. Its widespread legitimate availability keeps street prices relatively low compared to controlled substances, while its growing recognition as a drug of abuse has increased demand in certain populations. This market dynamic highlights the challenges of managing prescription medications that exist in a regulatory gray area between legitimate medical use and potential for abuse.

Street Cost Of Gabapentin Vs. Pharmacy Cost

Gabapentin tablets are distributed in 300 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg variants.

When the drug is purchased at a pharmacy, the price may range between $13 to $17.50 for 90 capsules of the prescription drug.

While purchasing the medication on the street may be more expensive, the generally low price of the medication makes it an easy prescription medication to abuse.

If you or a loved one is seeking substance abuse treatment for gabapentin or any other drug addiction, talk to your primary care provider or an addiction specialist for more information about substance use disorder treatment programs.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff