For Physicians

In the course of managing patient referrals, particularly those involving chronic pain, anxiety, or neurological symptoms, questions often arise about medication availability and coordination with emergency services. Recently, there have been inquiries regarding the use and access of gabapentin, especially in urgent situations where patients rely on it for symptom control. Fremont Emergency Services (FES) has noted in their internal review that while gabapentin is not classified as a controlled substance in many jurisdictions, its dispensing during acute visits remains limited due to evolving protocols around off-label use and dependency risks. As a result, FES typically does not supply gabapentin during emergency encounters, instead emphasizing follow-up with primary care providers or prescribing clinicians for ongoing management. This policy underscores the importance of clear communication between behavioral health providers, physicians, and emergency services to ensure continuity of care for patients who may become destabilized when access to familiar treatments is unexpectedly restricted.