How Much Does Gabapentin Cost?
The cost of gabapentin on the streets varies depending on where you live, whether or not it’s a controlled substance in your state, and how much you’re buying. The latest street prices for gabapentin average around $5 per capsule, but capsule sizes vary.
| Measurement | Price | |
| Per Gram | $4 | |
| Per Kilogram | $4,000 | |
| Per Capsule | 75 cents to $10 |
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How Much Does Gabapentin Cost On The Street?
Gabapentin is primarily sold in capsule form, but you may also be able to purchase it as a powder, which is intended to be taken orally. When purchased in powder form, gabapentin may be priced by the gram or by the kilogram. The more you buy, the less you may have to pay.
How Much Is a Gram of Gabapentin?
Gabapentin averages $4 per gram, which consists of 1,000 milligrams. This brings the cost of a 2-gram (2,000 milligrams) dose to $8.
How Much Is a Kilogram of Gabapentin?
Gabapentin averages $4,000 per kilogram, which consists of 1,000 grams. A kilogram would contain about 500 doses of gabapentin.
How Much is a Gabapentin Capsule?
Gabapentin is most often sold as a capsule that contains the drug in powder form inside. Capsule sizes vary from 100 milligrams to 600 milligrams. Users report the street cost per capsule at:
- 75 cents for a 600mg pill in North Carolina
- $2 for a 600mg pill in Ohio
- $8 for an 800mg pill in New York
- $10 for a 100mg pill in Texas
Is Gabapentin Expensive?
A dose of gabapentin is not that expensive compared to other drugs. A young person with no history of substance abuse may be able to get high off as little as 300 milligrams of gabapentin. The average adult will need about 600 milligrams to become intoxicated.
If a person is physically addicted to gabapentin, they may need as much as 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams (2 to 3 grams) to get high. This means the average price of a dose ranges from $2 for a new user to $30 for someone with Gabapentin addiction.
Some people abuse gabapentin on its own, but many people combine it with opioids or an opiate like morphine in order to prolong the high. Since gabapentin is substantially cheaper than a drug like heroin, taking them together can reduce the cost of getting high. However, polydrug use comes with its own risks.
What Factors Can Affect The Price Of Gabapentin?
Many people get a prescription for gabapentin through their healthcare provider, and insurance plans may cover the cost if you are using it for a condition like neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia. Some people with a gabapentin prescription may abuse the drug or sell it to someone who does in order to make a profit.
Dealers usually purchase gabapentin online in bulk, then mark it up and sell it on the street. The price you’ll pay will depend on your area.
State Regulations
Since gabapentin is uncontrolled at the federal level, it is generally easy to find and less expensive than other substances. However, some states do list gabapentin as a controlled substance, and the cash price will be more expensive in those states.
States that currently list gabapentin as a controlled substance include:
Many other states do not list gabapentin as a controlled substance, but they recognize the potential for abuse and so they allow law enforcement agencies to monitor for misuse.
These states include:
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington, D.C.
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
If your state is on this list, it may be more difficult to get a gabapentin prescription or you may have to adhere to drug testing, pill counts, or regular check-ups with your doctor so they can monitor for potential signs of abuse.
Volume or Quantity
Some people with very high drug tolerance may take as much as 12,000 milligrams of gabapentin in order to get high. The average adult will take up to 3,000 milligrams. In any case, due to the high-volume dose necessary to get high, gabapentin is typically sold in bulk — or you’ll at least get a better price if you buy in bulk.
If you have never taken gabapentin before, you should avoid dosing in large quantities until you know how it affects you. If you’re buying capsules or tablets, ask your dealer how much gabapentin they contain, as they range from just 100 milligrams up to 800 milligrams.
Asking about dosing will also help you determine if you are overpaying for the drug. Paying $1 for each 100 mg gabapentin tablet would be expensive in some areas, but $1 for an 800 mg tablet may be a fair price.
Brand Name
Gabapentin is a generic drug, but it is sold under brand names like Neurontin. Pregabalin is another drug that is in the same medicine class as gabapentin but tends to be more expensive. Anytime you buy a brand name, you’re going to pay more. However, you should be mindful as a dealer may be selling a counterfeit.
There is a misconception that a brand name or prescription drug is safer than a generic alternative, but this isn’t the case. Unless you are getting gabapentin directly from a pharmacist, there is always a chance that the drug you’re getting has been cut with other substances, which can lead to unwanted side effects.
The cost of addiction goes well beyond money. If you’d like more information on addiction treatment and resources in your area, call Zinnia Health. Get in touch with our helpline at (855) 430-9439.
What Does Gabapentin Cost in Other Countries?
Gabapentin is uncontrolled at the federal level in the United States, meaning you can purchase it over the counter without a prescription. However, in many countries, gabapentin requires a prescription to obtain. This generally increases the street value, as it means the drug is harder to get ahold of and there are greater consequences for someone who is found to be importing or illegally selling the drug.
Prescription drug prices vary from £22.50 in the UK for 100 capsules to $38.00 CA in Canada. This comes out to an average of $0.28 per 100mg tablet, and it can be less with a pharmacy discount card or coupon. The street retail price in these countries can be as high as $1 to $5.
What is the Trend for People Searching for Gabapentin?
Search trends show that the interest in gabapentin has steadily increased, especially since 2018. There are many reasons why someone may look up information on gabapentin, including if they have chronic pain or need medical advice on how gabapentin as a prescription drug could help them with a medical condition like neuropathy.
Looking closer at the search trends, those seeking information on gabapentin abuse seemed to have peaked in 2018 and have since begun to decline, which could be a good sign. Still, substance abuse remains a major concern, and any off-label use of prescription medication is a form of misuse that can lead to addiction.
If you or someone you love is misusing gabapentin, help is available. Searches for addiction treatment reached an all-time high in 2022, and many people aren’t aware of the treatment options in their area. If you have questions about substance addiction and recovery, help is available.
Drug abuse can feel impossible to overcome on your own. If you need more information, call Zinnia Health for free, confidential advice from our caring team. Get in touch by dialing (855) 430-9439.