Gabapentin Use in Perioperative Analgesia Protocols: Is It Safe and Effective? (1 Class A CE with 1 Pharm and 1 Pain)

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM CT

Location: CC- Level 2- Meeting Room 209 A-C

Speaker(s)

Kala R. Renard, RN, NAR

Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist
USC
Los Angeles, California, United States
Daphne Sung, RN, NAR (she/her/hers)

Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist
USC
Baldwin Park, California, United States

Slides

This discussion will explore the evolving role of gabapentin in perioperative analgesia. Originally embraced as part of multimodal opioid-sparing analgesic protocols, gabapentin's efficacy in treating acute nociceptive surgical and inflammatory pain has come under scrutiny. Recent studies reveal that gabapentin may not provide significant pain relief or a reduction in opioid consumption in some surgical contexts and could introduce risks such as respiratory depression and excessive sedation. Through an integrative review of the current literature, this session will help participants identify when gabapentin may be appropriate in perioperative pain management and when alternative strategies should be considered. Emphasis will be placed on tailoring analgesic protocols to individual patient risk profiles to enhance recovery and minimize complications.

Learning Objectives:

Describe gabapentin's mechanism of action and why it may not be effective for acute nociceptive surgical and inflammatory pain.
Understand the history and rationale for gabapentin’s inclusion into perioperative enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and non-ERAS protocols, with emphasis on the types of surgeries where gabapentin has shown to be effective for perioperative analgesia (e.g., spinal surgeries, breast reconstruction, and coronary artery bypass procedures).
Identify the types of surgeries where the efficacy of gabapentin is questioned (e.g., laparoscopic procedures, total knee arthroplasty, and caesarean delivery) and learn the risks associated with gabapentin use in perioperative analgesia, particularly in elderly patients, and those with comorbid conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).