NEWYou can now listen to articles from a reputable source!
Recent research suggests that a painkiller commonly used for lower back pain, gabapentin, may be associated with an increased risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
A study published in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine found that individuals who were considered too young to develop these conditions faced more than double the risk when taking gabapentin.
“Our findings show a potential link between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within a decade,” stated the research team in a press release.
The drug gabapentin has gained popularity for treating chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain, as mentioned by experts.
Gabapentin, also used for seizure control according to Cleveland Clinic, has lower addictive potential compared to traditional opioids.
Experts noted that gabapentin is increasingly being used to treat chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain. (iStock)
Recent research has raised concerns about potential side effects of gabapentin, including a possible link to neurodegeneration.
Past findings were inconclusive regarding a specific link, especially in terms of vulnerability among certain age groups.
In the latest study, researchers analyzed data from TriNetX, a health research network with electronic health records from 68 healthcare organizations in the U.S.
Examining data from adult patients who were prescribed gabapentin for chronic lower back pain between 2004 and 2024, researchers compared them to individuals who did not receive the drug, totaling 26,414 individuals in each group.
The researchers considered factors such as demographics, underlying conditions, and the use of other pain-relieving medications.
Individuals aged 18 to 64 who were prescribed gabapentin were more than twice as likely to develop either condition than those who did not receive the drug. (iStock)
Patients who received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were found to be 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.
Looking at specific age groups, individuals between 18 and 64 years old who were prescribed gabapentin were more than twice as likely to develop either condition compared to those who were not prescribed the drug.
Risks increased with higher prescription frequency: Patients with 12 or more prescriptions were 40% more likely to develop dementia and 65% more likely to develop MCI than those with three to 11 gabapentin prescriptions.
“Our findings suggest a potential link between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within 10 years.”
The study had limitations as it was an observational study, so no definitive conclusions can be drawn about causation, as noted by the researchers.
The researchers also acknowledged that due to the retrospective nature of the study, they could not account for the dose or duration of gabapentin use.
The results emphasize the importance of closely monitoring adult patients prescribed gabapentin for potential cognitive decline, according to the researchers.
