In an alarming new development, state and federal health officials have discovered that there is a new pain pill that is being abused in greater and greater numbers. Researchers believe that a generic pill that has been around for a quarter century known as gabapentin, which is typically used to treat nerve pain, seizures, and other ailments, is becoming increasingly attractive to drug addicts.

Gabapentin is one of the most prescribed medications in the country, and authorities think its recent abuse may be due to the broad crackdown on opioid painkillers. The Food and Drug Administration is studying patterns of prescribing the drug, and it will share those findings in the coming months, according to a WKYT report.

Gabapentin has many side effects which include sedation, and as a result opioid abusers who have trouble getting their hands on opioids are turning to the drug to get their fix. Some reportedly get a high similar to marijuana and greater euphoria, but abus eleads to organ or brain damage.