Learn about the side effects of Neurontin (gabapentin), from common to rare, for consumers and healthcare professionals. Gabapentin, a medication commonly prescribed for nerve pain and seizures, has been linked to potential cognitive side effects, including memory loss. While its therapeutic benefits are well-documented, some individuals report experiencing forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating during its use. Explore gabapentin's effects on mental function, memory, and cognition. Learn about managing side effects and balancing therapeutic benefits with potential risks. 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. Serious side effects of gabapentin. Along with its needed effects, gabapentin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking gabapentin: More common side effects Some of the most common Gabapentin long-term side effects include: Memory loss: Long-term gabapentin use has been linked to problems with memory and difficulty concentrating. Consult your physician if you have concerns about gabapentin and memory loss. Studies have shown that gabapentin alone does not cause memory loss or impairment when used for long-term treatment. However, some patients may experience brain fog or slight confusion as potential side effects. Hi, I have had SFN for 7 years and consume 1.8 g gabapentin per day. Early effects were balance and loss of short term memory, #1 effect is ongoing and #2 has largely dissipated. Long term use increases dementia risk 70%, but I need 1800 mg/day to not have horrid effects. Zero weight gain, BTW 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. After a literature review, we were unsure of the duration the drugs would require to cause the side effects of cognitive impairment or dementia. We conducted a preliminary analysis, including gabapentin or pregabalin exposure period of 30 days and 90 days. Memory loss caused by Gabapentin may improve or resolve after stopping the medication, but not everyone will experience a complete recovery. Strategies such as using memory aids, practicing good sleep hygiene, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, and considering cognitive rehabilitation therapy can help manage memory issues. When compared with the nondrug condition, both medications resulted in significantly worse performance on tests of verbal memory and motor speed, and participants reported a high incidence of sedative effects. Frequently reported side-effects for gabapentin included fatigue, unsteadiness, and dizziness. Memory loss and other cognitive adverse effects are well known to occur with gabapentin (brand name Neurontin) and they appear to be dose related, meaning higher doses result in a higher incidence rate. In your situation, your dose far exceeds the maximum recommended daily dose, which is 3,600mg (given as divided doses throughout the day). 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. A report from ISMP QuarterWatch (March 27, 2019) warns about the inappropriate use of GABA drugs like gabapentin and pregabalin. Mental impairment, confusion and memory loss are recognized side effects. Some people use the term fuzzy thinking to describe the brain impact. While very effective for certain indications, gabapentin unfortunately can have many adverse central nervous system effects in addition to memory loss including: Drowsiness; Dizziness; Amnesia; Memory impairment; Disorientation; Emotional Lability 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. It can also cause suicidal thoughts or behaviors in children and adults. Neurontin and Memory Loss: What Users Say Memory loss : mentioned by 7 users (3.6%) Based on user experiences from 195 Neurontin reviews , the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects. 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 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.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |