Michigan Removed Gabapentin From Controlled Substance List
The state reversed its 2019 decision to schedule the medication, following guidance from federal authorities.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Substance Abuse
Live Poll
Should states prioritize easing access to pain medications over stricter controlled substance regulations?
Michigan officially removed gabapentin from its state-level controlled substance schedule in May 2024. The move was designed to better align the state's classification of the drug with federal standards and policies in neighboring states.
Why it matters
The change is significant because it alters how the drug is regulated and monitored within the healthcare system. Aligning state policy with federal frameworks often aims to streamline prescribing practices and medication access.
Researchers observed that descheduling the drug was associated with an increase in dispensing of 4.00 prescriptions per 1,000 Medicaid enrollees. During the 2023 to 2025 study period, dispensing levels fluctuated between 33 and 43 prescriptions per 1,000 enrollees.
The players
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The federal agency responsible for regulating pharmaceuticals and issuing warnings regarding the safety risks of medication combinations.
Michigan Medicaid Program
The state-administered health insurance program that provided the drug utilization data used to analyze the effects of the policy change.
The details
Michigan initially enacted legislation in 2019 to treat gabapentin as a controlled substance, a practice adopted by eight other states between 2016 and 2024. Despite the descheduling, the FDA has previously cautioned that combining gabapentinoids with opioids can increase the risk of respiratory depression, particularly given that the drug has been identified in 9.7% of overdose deaths.
Timeline
In 2019, Michigan first enacted legislation to schedule gabapentin as a controlled substance.
From 2023 through 2025, researchers tracked Medicaid dispensing patterns for the medication.
In May 2024, Michigan formally removed gabapentin from its controlled substance schedule.
Health Landscape
This regulatory shift reflects broader efforts to reconcile state-level drug scheduling with national standards following the 2019 FDA warning on respiratory depression risks. The move updates a figure previously established by the state's 2019 legislative action, signaling a shift in how authorities balance patient access with safety monitoring.
The change in scheduling status may influence the ease and frequency with which patients can obtain gabapentin prescriptions through Medicaid. Patients should discuss any concerns about potential side effects or interaction risks with their healthcare providers, especially if they are taking other medications.
The takeaway
The removal of gabapentin from the controlled substance list reflects a shift in regulatory strategy rather than a change in the drug's safety profile. Patients and providers should remain cognizant of existing FDA warnings regarding the medication's use in combination with other substances.
Further reading
For more information on state policies and trends, visit our Substance Abuse section.
Live Poll
Should states prioritize easing access to pain medications over stricter controlled substance regulations?
