Explore gabapentin's effects on mental function, memory, and cognition. Learn about managing side effects and balancing therapeutic benefits with potential risks. A total of 1,596 and 5,375 dementia cases newly developed during 162,757.8 and 887,719.9 years of follow-up in the exposure and non-exposure groups, respectively, accounting for the incidence rate of dementia of 980.60 and 605.48 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. Several studies suggest that using gabapentin and pregabalin for epilepsy control is associated with an increased risk of dementia, and the effect appears to be lifelong (Knight et al., 2021). However, these studies specifically involved patients with epilepsy or medically ill patients. Does gabapentin cause memory loss? Some people taking gabapentin, mostly those with chronic kidney disease, have reported problems with short-term memory loss. However, it’s not clear if gabapentin is actually responsible for these brain function issues. One study found that gabapentin alone did not affect memory or cause memory impairment or 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. 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 The results from this study showed that gabapentin therapy was associated with decline in memory, executive function, and attention after 1 week of gabapentin treatment (Shem et al., 2018). Gabapentin, when used alone, does not typically cause memory loss or impairment. Combining gabapentin with other drugs like baclofen can result in significant memory problems. Safe and regulated use of gabapentin is crucial to minimize the risk of cognitive issues. The risk of memory loss is heightened when the drugs are taken for more than a short time or used with other anticholinergic drugs. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the other adverse effects of anticholinergic drugs, including constipation (which, in turn, can cause urinary incontinence), blurred vision, dizziness, anxiety The most common gabapentin (Neurontin) side effects are dizziness and drowsiness. This may affect your ability to drive or perform other activities. Other gabapentin side effects include edema (fluid buildup), weight gain, and eye problems, but these aren’t as common. Rare but serious gabapentin side effects include mood changes in children. Memory loss associated with gabapentin use can stem from various factors that influence how the medication affects the brain. Understanding these contributing elements can help individuals and healthcare providers manage potential cognitive side effects more effectively. Some individuals report experiencing cognitive issues with long-term gabapentin use, such as difficulty concentrating, memory loss, or mental fog. These effects can be particularly concerning for individuals who rely on clear thinking for their work or daily tasks. Neurontin (gabapentin) is associated with memory loss in a dose dependent fashion, meaning the higher doses you take, the more chance there is of having some sort of memory loss, or cognitive impairment. Background: Gabapentin is increasingly prescribed to older adults, which raises concerns about its potential to cause neurocognitive changes. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association of gabapentin use with neurocognitive changes (i.e., cognitive decline, functional status decline, and motor function change) in older adults. Gabapentin new users with normal cognition at the visit of gabapentin initiation (i.e., index visit) were included. New-users were matched on year of first enrollment and time of gabapentin initiation since enrollment to randomly select nonusers with replacement. Today, gabapentinoids such as Gabapentin (GBP) and pregabalin (PGB) are widely used as painkillers. This may alter the function of the nervous system; hence their results may include a difference in memory and processes that end in memory formation. Gabapentin therapy is associated with a tangible decline in memory, executive function, and attention in individuals with spinal cord injury. However, owing to small sample size, loss of patient follow-up at the 4 week post-treatment assessment, and lack of a control group, we cannot definitively state that any decreases in cognition are solely Memory loss, minor memory impairment can happen to those who take gabapentin. In the package insert for the drug, it mentions that mild memory loss was a side effect that certain participants got, although it wasn't that common. About 2% of those in clinical trials had some form of cognitive impairment on the drug. Gabapentin Memory Loss: Does Gabapentin Cause It? Gabapentin is often prescribed for nerve pain and seizures, but some users report memory loss as a side effect. This post explores the connection between gabapentin and memory issues, possible risks, and how to manage them. Fortunately, memory loss and other side effects associated with gabapentin are not considered permanent and should resolve upon discontinuation of therapy or with a dose decrease. Please reach out to your doctor regarding the side effects you are experiencing and the high doses you are taking, which are far beyond your prescribed therapy and
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