The results revealed that the risk of dementia associated with gabapentin or pregabalin exposure was significant in all subgroups except for the strata having depression or head injury. The risk of dementia development was higher in the younger group (age <50 years) than that in the older group. Gabapentin use has been associated with memory loss and cognitive decline. Studies suggest that the risk of dementia may be higher in patients treated with gabapentin. It is important for patients and healthcare providers to be aware of the potential cognitive side effects of gabapentin. Gabapentin use was significantly associated with decline in cognitive and functional status among older adults with initially normal cognition. Further studies are needed to examine the association. Gabapentin has been increasingly prescribed to older adults for off-label indications, and accumulating evidence suggests potential for gabapentin misuse and related adverse events. However, the relation between gabapentin initiation and longer-term neurocognitive changes is not well understood. Report Side Effects: Always report any side effects, including cognitive changes, to your healthcare provider. Conclusion. While gabapentin and pregabalin serve crucial roles in managing various medical conditions, the emerging link between these drugs and dementia raises serious concerns. However, gabapentin seems to be different from the traditional antiseizure drugs, and the exact mechanism(s) through which gabapentin exerts both its clinical and potential side effects is still unknown. One hypothesis includes binding to the alpha2-delta subunit of the voltage-dependent calcium channel (Rose and Kam, 2002). Considering that In a seminal trial on pain following shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia), the target dose of gabapentin was 900 mg four times daily. It often takes weeks or months to build up to this dose so that I’ve never experienced any known side effects from it. I have read that long-term use of gabapentin can increase the chances of dementia. is a common side effect. Gabapentin is a commonly Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Recent studies have begun to paint a clearer picture regarding the relationship between Gabapentin and Alzheimer’s disease. 1. Cognitive Function and Memory Impairment. Some research indicates that Gabapentin may have an impact on cognitive function, particularly in older adults. Here are some key findings: The long-term effects of gabapentin on dementia risk, particularly among patients with chronic pain, remain inadequately explored. Although previous studies have established a link between chronic pain and elevated risk of cognitive dysfunction, including dementia ( Kao et al., 2021 ; Chen et al., 2023 ; Cao et al., 2019 ), the literature is The prevalence of gabapentin use increased from 2006 to 2019, both in overall population and within every subgroup (i.e., cognitive status, age group, and sex). About 10–30% of gabapentin users reported to concurrently use gabapentin with opioids. Over one-half of gabapentin users with dementia concurrently used gabapentin with antidepressants. It may be reasonable to start older adults on a low dose of gabapentin, which can be effective to treat pain while exposing patients to a lower risk of adverse mental status side effects of gabapentin (dizziness, drowsiness and confusion). We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Such drugs are on the list because they share troubling side effects—confusion, clouded thinking, and memory lapses—that can lead to falls, fractures, and auto accidents. What the studies found It's important to note that neither of these studies was a randomized controlled clinical trial, so neither proved that either type of drug causes Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking gabapentin: More common in children. Some side effects of gabapentin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. While gabapentin might help with pain management initially, long-term use is associated with increased risk of side effects such as dementia. Careful evaluation of the pros and cons of continuous use is necessary. For older adults already grappling with cognitive decline or dementia, these side effects can exacerbate existing challenges and diminish quality of life. Gastrointestinal Issues Gabapentin can also affect the digestive system, leading to side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Especially in older adults, gabapentin is prescribed to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) (Kim et al., 2008). Several studies have reported that gabapentin has a deleterious effect on cognition (Leach et al., 1997; Meador et al., 1999; Shem et al., 2018).
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