Long-Term Side Effects Of Gabapentin That Aren't Widely Discussed

The medication gabapentin, commonly known by its brand name of Neurontin, has helped many people improve the quality of their lives. First developed to help manage partial seizures in people with epilepsy, gabapentin can also be used to treat certain types of nerve pain such as diabetic neuropathy or the unscratchable itch that occurs with shingles. Gabapentin has been widely prescribed and used safely under the careful supervision of physicians for years. However, like all medications, it has side effects. And while the long-term side effects of Ozempic might be better known, those of gabapentin aren't widely discussed.

Some of the more common side effects of gabapentin are drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision. As with many other drugs these side effects are usually temporary. However, some people experience more serious side effects like rash or swelling that can interfere with breathing, mood changes, difficulty concentrating and memory problems, and depression and suicidal thoughts. The drug may also be linked to greater risk of dementia. Additionally, there is a risk of withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking gabapentin and the drug has the potential for misuse, which adds a layer of danger.

When used as directed by a physician, gabapentin can help people with nerve pain or seizure disorders improve their quality of life. However, like other medications, patients must take care when they stop taking gapapentin. If stopped suddenly people can experience a range of withdrawal symptoms. These include high blood pressure, sweating, confusion, anxiety, and insomnia. In some cases, people who stop taking gabapentin have an increased risk of seizures, even if they don't have a seizure disorder. Withdrawal symptoms can begin as soon as 12 hours after the last dose or they can occur up to seven days after ceasing the medication. Because of this, the best course is to gradually taper gabapentin use as directed by a health care professional.

Gabapentin also has the potential for misuse even though it is not an opioid and isn't generally considered to have a high likelihood for misuse. For that matter, some people are using gabapentin without medical supervision to diminish the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. People may also use it to increase the effects of opioids, which is essentially the opposite of Narcan, which reverses the effects of opioids in a sober person. In the vast majority of cases where people misused gabapentin, they also misused opioids at the same time. This can be especially risky as gabapentin can cause breathing problems with combined with opioids and other sedating drugs like alcohol or benzodiazepines.

Fatigue, memory problems. and trouble concentrating are some of the less common side effects of gabapentin. Long-term use of the drug can be associated with a greater risk for these side effects. However, a 2025 study in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine found that gabapentin may be linked to increased chances of developing dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

The study used data from 2004 to 2024 on more than 26,000 adults who took gabapentin. The analysis found that patients who had six or more prescriptions of gabapentin had a 29% higher chance of developing dementia and saw an 86% increase in mild cognitive impairment. The study also noted that the risks were higher for both dementia and cognitive impairment in patients between 35 and 64, which is typically younger than expected for these conditions. There was also an increase in risks with prescription frequency. People who had 12 or more prescriptions were 40% more likely to develop dementia and 65% more likely to experience mild cognitive impairment than those who had fewer than 11 prescriptions.

While the study was observational and thus did not find a causal relationship, the findings highlight the need for further study of the long-term effects of gabapentin. While the medication has been used beneficially for years, the short- and long-term side effects, risks of withdrawal, and potential for misuse may mean the drug needs closer medical supervision.