How Long Does Gabapentin Stay In Your System?

Gabapentin is a prescription anticonvulsant and neuropathic pain medication with a half-life of five to seven hours. After use, it can stay in the urine for an estimated two to three days.

Alternative names for gabapentin include:

• Neurontin
• Horizant
• Gralise
• Neuraptine

Gabapentin may stay in a person’s urine for a longer time than average if they have impaired renal (kidney) function: up to 30 days.

The amount of time that gabapentin stays in a person’s system can vary based on factors related to their drug use, overall health, and the drug dosage.

Can A Drug Test Detect Gabapentin?

Standard five-panel drug tests will not detect gabapentin use. This will require a specialized drug screening.

How Long Does Gabapentin Stay In Urine?

Gabapentin can stay in the urine for about two to three days after last use.

People who have impaired kidney function may have traces of gabapentin detectable in urine for up to 30 days.

This is because, unlike most other drugs, gabapentin is largely metabolized by the kidneys.

Read more about detecting gabapentin in urine

How Long Does Gabapentin Stay In Blood?

Gabapentin will be detectable in the blood within five hours after taking a dose, and may remain detectable in the blood for up to two days.

Read more about detecting gabapentin in blood

How Long Does Gabapentin Stay In Your Saliva?

Gabapentin is unlikely to be detected in saliva. For this reason, a saliva test is unlikely to be used to detect the use of gabapentin or its brand name products.

How Long Does Gabapentin Stay In Your Hair?

Hair drug tests can detect the use of most drugs for up to 90 days after last use.

Although hair tests are uncommon for gabapentin use, it will likely show up in a hair test for the same amount of time for the average person.

Read more about detecting gabapentin in hair

What Factors Can Affect How Long Gabapentin Stays In Your System?

Bodies can metabolize drugs like gabapentin at different rates depending on a variety of factors. This can affect how long it will be detectable in a specialized drug test.

Factors that can affect gabapentin detection times include:

• kidney function
• age
• dosage
• formulation (e.g. liquid, tablet)
• route of administration (e.g. swallowing, snorting, injection)
• body composition
• metabolic rate
• polydrug use

People who have a slow metabolism or impaired renal (kidney) function will likely have a longer detection window than average.

This may also be true for elderly people who take gabapentin, due to the fact that most people experience a slowed metabolism with older age.

Getting Gabapentin Out Of Your System

Getting gabapentin out of your system takes time. The only way for it to leave the body is by allowing it to leave the body naturally.

If you’re dependent on gabapentin, this may take longer. People can become physically dependent on gabapentin with chronic use.

Do not try to stop taking gabapentin all at once without talking to a doctor. This may cause withdrawal symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, anxiety, nausea, pain, and sweating.

Getting Help For Gabapentin Abuse And Addiction

Gabapentin is not known to be addictive. However, there have been reports of it becoming a drug of abuse among people with a previous history of opioid abuse or drug addiction.

Taking gabapentin for non-prescribed uses, or taking it with other drugs can be dangerous. If you or someone you know is abusing gabapentin, substance abuse treatment may be recommended.

Call our helpline today to find treatment for gabapentin abuse and addiction near you.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff