About three years ago, Dr. Tom Viola wrote an article for DentistryIQ titled, “Gabapentin: The most dangerous drug in America?” Is it indeed the most dangerous drug, and if so, why?
The way gabapentin is misused—or misprescribed—can be a significant problem. It originally started out as a drug to treat epilepsy. Later, its nerve blockade was found to be useful for neuropathic and chronic pain. But gabapentin has its limits as an analgesic.
What other medications would you prescribe along with gabapentin? What is the appropriate dose, and how much is too much?
In this episode of Medical History Mysteries, Drs. Tom Viola and Pamela Maragliano-Muniz discuss the contraindications of gabapentin, what to be cautious about with the anesthetics we use in dentistry, what the FDA says about pain relievers, and the three questions you should ask your patients at every visit.
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Through the Loupes newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and subscribe to Through the Loupes.
