– Ages 35–49 taking gabapentin had more than double the risk of dementia.
– Their risk of MCI more than tripled.
– Adults 50–64 saw similarly elevated risks.
– Only those 18–34 showed no increased risk.
Researchers published their results in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine said: “Our results support the need for close monitoring of adult patients prescribed gabapentin to assess for potential cognitive decline.”
More prescriptions = more risk
Like any medication, gabapentin can lead to side effects. Some of the more common ones include feeling dizzy, unusually tired, experiencing swelling from fluid retention, and having a dry mouth. Earlier research has also linked gabapentin use to potential breathing problems.
Still, the study from Case Western Reserve University found a clear pattern: the more gabapentin someone took, the greater the cognitive risks.
People with 12+ prescriptions were 40% more likely to develop dementia.
They were 65% more likely to develop MCI.
This held true even after accounting for health conditions, demographics, and other medications.
