Can You Take Oxycodone with Gabapentin For Pain Relief? Safety & Side Effects

For the people who have recently undergone surgery and are facing unbearable pain, physicians often prescribe Opioids to them. In some rare cases, where the pain is extreme, the doctor combines Opioids with other sedatives to provide relief. One such controversial combination is the mixture of Oxycodone and Gabapentin. There are not many studies available to prove the efficacy of this. But sometimes the physicians may mix these two drugs depending upon the needs of the individual. This blog will address certain queries, like whether can you take Oxycodone and Gabapentin at the same time, the risks involved in combining the drugs, and steps to deal with it.

Oxycodone and Gabapentin: Interactions, Risks, and Pain Relief

Overview of Oxycodone

Oxycodone is a widely used Opioid analgesic that helps in pain relief by interacting with the central nervous system (CNS). Physicians prescribe it for people who are unable to deal with other pain medications. The available formulation of this drug is in the form of tablets, capsules, and oral solution. Oxycodone belongs to the category of Schedule II drugs, which is the reason some people misuse it widely. Oxycodone can make the body dependent on it if taken for a prolonged period of time. It is best advised to take Oxycodone under a doctor’s supervision to prevent the body from overconsumption.

If you try to quit the Oxycodone dosages completely after having exposure to the drug for a long period, then you may face certain withdrawal symptoms that can be more harmful than the drug itself. Symptoms that the body shows are:

• Sweating
• Anxiety and restlessness
• Craving
• Headache
• Weakness

Overview of Gabapentin

Gabapentin comes from the family of convulsants, and helps to control seizures like other members of the family. The formulation is available for use in both tablet and oral solution forms. The primary use of this drug is to prevent and control seizures, relieve nerve pain, and treat restless leg syndrome. Gabapentin is categorized under Schedule IV, which makes it less vulnerable to addiction, but continuous exposure may increase the risk of dependency.

Gabapentin also has certain withdrawal symptoms of its own, which are noticed in people who suddenly quit intake. The symptoms are:

• Restlessness and anxiety
• Lack of appetite
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Headaches
• Body pain
• Sweating excessively

Can You Take Oxycodone and Gabapentin Together?

Taking Oxycodone and Gabapentin together is not usual and is rarely prescribed. Mixing both these drugs without any medical advice will be considered as polysubstance abuse. This polysubstance can even lead to loss of life. Severe pain caused by cancer and diabetic neuropathy are some of the situations under which the mixture of Oxycodone and Gabapentin is used. Do not ever try to mix both of them without taking suggestions from the doctor, and stick to the advised dosages without ever trying to overdose.

Why Do People Mix Oxycodone and Gabapentin?

There are two obvious reasons for the mixture of Oxycodone with Gabapentin to exist in the first place. The first purpose can be to heal certain pains, and the second purpose is to abuse them to feel high. The situation where these polysubstances are used as pain relievers is relatively less as compared to the rate of abuse. Certain heavily addicted individuals try to create new and absurd combinations of these drugs just to satisfy the dependency of their body.

As discussed, doctors only recommend the mixture of Oxycodone with Gabapentin to individuals who are capable enough to tolerate the severe side effects caused by it. The dose provided is very less and never really increases.

Oxycodone and Gabapentin Interaction

People prescribed with the mixture of Oxycodone and Gabapentin, or who take these mixtures for some other purposes, are exposed to risks, like overdosing and respiratory problems.

Overdosing

Although both Oxycodone and Gabapentin belong to different categories of Schedule drugs, they possess a risk of getting people hooked to them. If the drugs are combined, then the rate of getting dependent can be twice as fast as compared to the individual. Overdosing will lead to an enhancement of the Oxycodone and Gabapentin side effects and ultimately will make the condition worse.

Certain signs of overdosing on the mixture of Oxycodone and Gabapentin are:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Paranoia
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Agitation
• Body pain
• Anxiety
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Seizures

It’s best to consult with your healthcare providers if you notice any changes after taking the combination.

Respiratory Depression

Oxycodone and Gabapentin both have the potential to cause respiratory problems. If your lungs are already weak due to certain underlying medical conditions, then this polysubstance will cost you your life. Inform your physician if you have a history of any such problems so that they can treat you according to your needs. Major injuries caused to the lungs are:

• Swelling in the bronchitis
• Severe Asthma
• Interstitial fibrosis
• Swelling and irritation

Treatment Of Oxycodone And Gabapentin Addiction

Doctors must treat addicts facing withdrawal symptoms as quickly as possible to prevent their condition from deteriorating further. Various ways to deal with it are:

Rehabilitation and Therapies

These are the best forms of treatment for individuals who have started to show milder symptoms. The rehabilitation provides individuals with a very precise form of treatment in natural ways, such as counselling, therapies, and then develops personalized plans according to the condition of the individuals.

Certain therapies, like Psychotherapy and behavioural therapy, performes on individuals by expert Psychologists, and then they prepare reports accordingly. These forms of treatment are also low-cost since they are mostly charitable organisations and run on the funds from the government.

Medications

For severe conditions where the natural treatments are ineffective, various medications are given to the patient. Certain medications that can be used for the treatment are Buprenorphine, Methadone, and Naltrexone. These medicines are highly subjective, and the prescription depends strictly upon the individual’s condition. Do not try to change the dosage and medicines as per your own will, and strictly stick to the dosages prescribed by the doctor.

Conclusion

Since there is not much concrete evidence regarding the fruitfulness of the mixture of Oxycodone and Gabapentin for the treatment of pain, you can’t trust it blindly. If you are in severe pain, you should consult with your healthcare providers and explain your problem in detail so they can treat you accordingly. Never try to use this mixture for any other purpose except treatment. Call your doctor immediately, even at the slightest discomfort.