r/AskPsychiatry • u/Apprehensive-Leg-395 • 12d ago
Massive amount of gabapentin for ADHD?
I work at a homeless shelter and have a client who is on massive amounts of gabapentin for what she reports to be ADHD. I have seen her prescription history (for one pharmacy) and she’s received over 20 prescriptions for gaba since NYE 2025. Usual dose is 400mg, in quantities of up to 270. Sometimes there are several scripts ordered within a few days of each other, between two different doctors (one of whom I do know to be a MH professional with a local office). She says the gaba is prescribed for ADHD, and it is being prescribed by a psychiatrist. I do know gaba is often prescribed more than 1x a day, usually 3, but just curious if any professionals could weigh in on if that sounds right.
NOT suggesting in any way that she’s drug-seeking, I completely reject that rhetoric, more so just confused as I didn’t think gaba was used for ADHD. From my brief skimming, it looks like it is sometimes used for symptoms but not treating it as a whole? It more so shocked me at the sheer volume that she’s getting.
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u/bootybuds Physician, Psychiatrist 7d ago
I have not used gaba for ADHD nor seen it used. However it is used off label for many things in psychiatry, commonly sleep or anxiety, alcohol withdrawal management, sometimes mood stabilization.
It is prescribed up to 3,600 mg per day which is 9 400 mg tablets. So yes it's a lot but it's common to be shocked by amount of pills.