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Gabapentin - being linked to increased risk of dementia
According to a large scale observational study published in the journal "Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine", patients who received frequent gabapentin prescriptions were significantly more likely to develop dementia and/or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Researchers analyzed anonymized medical records from tens of thousands of Americans sourced from TriNetX, a federated health research network with electronic health records from 68 healthcare organizations across the country.
They found that patients whom had received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85% more likely to be diagnosed with MCI within 10 years of their initial pain diagnosis.
There is more - To view the full report:
https://doi.org/10.1136/rapm-2025-106577
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So frustrating...I'm thinking I may have neuropathy and I know this is widely prescribed. I was a caregiver for my mother, who had Alzheimer's Disease and am fearful of getting it myself. There is an increasing # of medicines in which this is seen. I'm wondering if it's the medicine itself or the conditions leading to the need of this medicine (or both) that increase the likelihood. Thank you for the link...I will take look.
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3 ReactionsThat is 2 step thinking-thinking out of the box which can be very beneficial, because it looks at an issue from a different reference point. Gabapentin is just one of a whole host of chemicals that become a basis for mental regulating chemicals. Many also have pain regulating properties in one sense or another. The complications are enormous, so who can accurately predict long term outcomes. I guess it comes down to a quality of life issue-is pain relief now worth the possible risk of problems in the future?
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1 ReactionAt what strength are the gabapentin prescriptions and over how many years?
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1 ReactionVery good question! Wish the study included that,
I'm going to be 84. I've been taking gabapentin since I got periperal neuropathy from chemo treatment at age 79. I take 300mg.,3 times a day. So far my brain is ok.