What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Fentanyl and gabapentin
Fentanyl's FDA label of March 6, 2026 names gabapentin in its warnings and precautions section; gabapentin's label does not name fentanyl itself but warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)).
Check it at the source: the fentanyl FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 6, 2026, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.); the gabapentin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 12, 2026, Viatris Specialty LLC).
What does the fentanyl label say about gabapentin?
Fentanyl label, warnings and precautionsProfound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of Fentanyl Citrate Injection with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids [gabapentin or pregabalin], and other opioids).
Fentanyl Citrate label (Hospira, Inc., August 24, 2026), drug interactionsBenzodiazepines and other sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), other opioids, alcohol.
Source: FDA drug label (Fentanyl Citrate, NDA019115), Hospira, Inc., effective August 24, 2026 (SPL set bfa8018a-4cbc-434b-e09e-782872b0340a), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Fentanyl Citrate), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., effective March 6, 2026 (SPL set ce5db1c2-feb1-4ad2-847a-d02e865bd47e), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the gabapentin label say about fentanyl?
Gabapentin's label does not name fentanyl itself; it warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)):
Gabapentin label, warnings and precautionsThere is evidence from case reports, human studies, and animal studies associating gabapentin with serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression when coadministered with CNS depressants, including opioids, or in the setting of underlying respiratory impairment.
Gabapentin label, warnings and precautionsThere is evidence from case reports, human studies, and animal studies associating gabapentin with serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression when co-administrated with central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including opioids, or in the setting of underlying respiratory impairment.
Source: FDA drug label (Neurontin), Viatris Specialty LLC, effective May 12, 2026 (SPL set 97935fd9-1d4a-43b6-a5d9-de994591187b), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Fentanyl | Gabapentin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | Nerve pain and fibromyalgia, Seizures and epilepsy |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $1.79 per mL 100 mcg/2 mL vial | $0.0218 per capsule 100 mg capsule |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once