Update to Gabapentinoid Use in the United States, 2002-2021

Gabapentinoids are commonly used medications for numerous off-label conditions. The 2002-2021 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) was used to investigate the propor-tion of the adult population who were gabapentinoid users, the ages of these users, medica-tions and diagnoses associated with users, and the likelihood of starting, stopping, or con-tinuing gabapentinoids. Gabapentinoid users continued to increase since our last publication from 4.0% in 2015 to 4.7% in 2021. Gabapentinoid use was much more likely among indi-viduals who used other medications used in chronic pain. Between 2017-2021, numerous chronic pain conditions were associated with gabapentinoid use. New gabapentinoid users clearly outnumbered gabapentinoid stoppers between 2011-2012 and 2017-2018, but this difference decreased in the most recent cohorts. Ann Fam Med 2024;22:45-49. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.3052