Acta Vet. Brno 2025, 94: 231-242
Therapeutic use meets environmental concern: Gabapentin’s toxicological profile in aquatic ecosystems – a review
Gabapentin (GBP) is a widely prescribed antiepileptic and analgesic drug that has increasingly been detected in wastewater and surface water due to its incomplete metabolism and the fact that it is not efficiently removed by conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Its persistence in the aquatic environment has raised concerns due to its possible impact on aquatic organisms. Typical environmental concentrations of GBP range from tens to hundreds of ng/l, with maximums of several µg/l near WWTP effluents. While GBP is not acutely toxic at these amounts, sublethal effects have been observed in aquatic species, particularly in the zebrafish (Danio rerio), common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and the daphnids (Daphnia magna). Reported impacts include disrupted cardiovascular development, oxidative stress, apoptosis, altered gene expression related to immunity and neurodevelopment, and metabolic disturbances. In zebrafish embryos, concentrations of GBP as low as 0.1 µg/l have been associated with enzymatic changes and vascular impairment. Efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of GBP include exploring advanced processing methods for removing GBP from wastewater, such as ozonisation. However, transformation products such as GBP-L may exhibit greater persistence and toxicity than the parent compound. Therefore, further research is urgently needed to understand the fate of GBP in the environment and to develop effective strategies for its removal and risk management. This comprehensive review highlights the dual significance of gabapentin, emphasising its therapeutic potential and the need to address its environmental implications for sustainable healthcare and ecological management.
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Funding
This work was supported by the Internal Grant Agency of the Veterinary University Brno, project number 219/2023/FVHE.
