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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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My new neurologist just prescribed Gabapentin but I refused to take it. I’ve been on Low Dose Naltrexone for 10 years (no side effects at all) and don’t need anything more for pain. LDN has worked well for me with all types of pain so far.
I also have severe ME/CFS and fibromyalgia and am very sensitive to medications. Plus, I’ve fallen several times injuring myself pretty badly and I think Gabapention would be a disaster for me. And I’ve read it’s very addictive. It took me 2 years to wean off Xanax, so thanks, but no thanks.
Have you discussed with your doctor?
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1 ReactionLucky (?) for me I couldn't tolerate gabapentin from the beginning. I was prescribed 100mg after a car accident and it totally messed with my balance and caused falls and intolerable vertigo. I also think that it itends to be overprescribed for everything from soup to nuts because its a lot easier to send you off with a drug than actually dig deeper and find causes.
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3 ReactionsUpsetting news "Popular back pain medication linked to brain health risks in some patients" new study out apparently, and my wife has had quite a few prescriptions. I have noticed increased lethargy in her over the past several months. Yet her peripheral neuropathy causes her the most anguish and even two neuralogists pretty much say she's stuck with it. Now this! So, is there any work on this? Is there an effective alternative? and I am guessing opiods aren't the answer?
So what do you do for your symptoms?
I try different things that I read like CBD creams (seem to make a difference), alpha lipoic acid (no change for me, works for some), a variety of supplements (like benfotamine, PQQ and many others - not much difference for me).
My foot and lower leg neuropathy is of the kind caused by a back injury so may be completely different from those caused by diabetes or idiopathic. I could write a book on all the things I have tried. Nothing has given me spectacular relief.
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1 ReactionI am curious. What medication? What study? Is the source a reputable place to get information? More importantly have you discussed this with your wife’s doctor to get some advice? Wishing you the best outcome possible and sending a hug.
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1 ReactionThanks @mikead63
I use gadapentin for my anti-seiver (sp?} not pain. I use it 3 times a day - big ones. In 2012 I had a bicycle accident one block over. I lost 80% of my brain-uses, including my memory; my ability to program programs; working higher at my city; trying to remember my family for the past.
Today, that memory is good, but still the older one is gone. I lost playing my guitar, bands, letters. 50th is gone.
My mom and other 2-3 sisters had depentis (sp?). I am a brain-injury person. We will see…
Thx,
Greg D. @greg1956
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2 ReactionsGreg, you have gone through a lot and are still going through a lot. You write well considering all that you have suffered. I wish I could offer more than a big bear hug, but know that it's a good bear hug!