Gabapentin can cause some rare but serious side effects. While these are uncommon, people should be aware of them and seek medical attention if needed. Consult a doctor right away if you Receiving six or more prescriptions of the drug gabapentin for low back pain is associated with significantly increased risks of developing dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI)—29% and New data suggest an association between gabapentin for chronic back pain and increased risk of cognitive impairment, although experts urge caution in drawing any firm conclusions. Gabapentin may cause vision changes, clumsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness, drowsiness, sleepiness, or trouble with thinking. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well. 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. Learn about the side effects of Neurontin (gabapentin), from common to rare, for consumers and healthcare professionals. 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 in children. Learn about the common side effects of gabapentin in elderly patients, including dizziness, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and more. Explore the connection between gabapentin and depression, mechanisms behind gabapentin-related depression, and strategies to manage and mitigate side effects. Discover other significant concerns for elderly gabapentin users and the importance of personalized Understanding Gabapentin’s Psychiatric Effects Potential psychiatric side effects of gabapentin Gabapentin, commonly prescribed for seizures and neuropathic pain, has been reported to cause a range of psychiatric side effects. While it is generally considered safe, some users have exhibited significant mood changes, including increases in depression, anxiety, and irritability. Notably Gabapentin is fairly safe when you use it correctly. It does come with some possible side effects, though. People who misuse this drug are also at risk of additional side effects. Gabapentin 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. Gabapentin may cause breathing problems in people who use opioid pain medicines and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Older adults who take gabapentin also are at higher risk of breathing problems. Stopping gabapentin suddenly can cause serious problems, including increasing your risk of seizures (if you are taking gabapentin to control seizures) or not improving your symptoms (if taking gabapentin for other indications). On top of that, recent news reports suggest the drug has the potential for abuse and misuse. Officials in Kentucky and Ohio are reporting it’s shown up in people who’ve overdosed on opioids. Gabapentin is commonly used to treat and prevent seizures in people with epilepsy or to treat nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia) that can occur after a viral infection called shingles. Like all medicines, gabapentin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. These common side effects of gabapentin may happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They're usually mild and go away by themselves. There are things you can do to help cope with them: As your body gets used to gabapentin, these side effects should wear off. Table of Contents Gabapentin is a widely prescribed medication used to treat conditions like nerve pain and seizures. With over 64 million prescriptions written each year in the United States, many people have experienced gabapentin side effects. Whether you’re wondering, “does gabapentin make you sleepy?” or concerned about weight gain and coordination problems, understanding what is Short & Long-Term Effects of Gabapentin Gabapentin is a widely used medication, often prescribed for conditions like seizures, nerve pain, and RLS (restless leg syndrome). While it can provide relief for many people, gabapentin also carries potential risks. Both short-term and long-term use can lead to side effects that affect the body and mind. Those with 12 or more gabapentin prescriptions were 40% more likely to develop dementia and 65% more likely to develop MCI than those prescribed the drug three to 11 times. Researchers noted that because this is an observational study, it cannot draw a direct cause-and-effect association between gabapentin and brain decline. While gabapentin alone does not typically cause memory problems, when used in conjunction with certain medications, it can have a significant impact on cognitive function. Gabapentin is widely used to treat seizures and shingles, but its effect on memory has been a topic of ongoing debate.
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