Common painkiller used for back pain ups risk of dementia by 29%, scientists warn
The risk was associated with patients who had received six or more prescriptions of the drug.
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Gabapentin has become increasingly popular for the treatment of chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain - pain that arises from damage or disease affecting the nervous system - as it offers potentially neuroprotective benefits.
But concerns have begun to emerge about its side effects, include a possible link to neurodegeneration.
In a new study published in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, researchers found receiving six or more prescriptions of the drug is associated with 29 per cent increased risk of developing dementia - and a 85 per cent increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
The research team looked at real-time data from 68 healthcare organisations across the US.
Alongside the number of prescriptions associated with dementia and MCI risks, they found diagnoses occurred within 10 years of patients' initial pain diagnosis.
When looking at age, 18 to 64 year olds prescribed the drug were more than twice as likely to develop either condition than those who hadn't been prescribed gabapentin.
There was no heightened risk among 18 to 34 year olds prescribed the drug, but among 35 to 49 year olds, the risks of dementia more than doubled and those of MCI more than tripled.
A similar pattern was observed among 50 to 64 year olds.
Risks also rose with prescription frequency - patients who had received 12 or more prescriptions were 40 per cent more likely to develop dementia and 65 per cent more likely to develop MCI than those prescribed gabapentin between three and 11 times.
As the study was observational, the researchers weren't able to draw firm conclusions about cause and effect.
Signs of dementia that might be missed
They also weren't able to account for dose or length of gabapentin use.
But they concluded: "Our findings indicate an association between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within 10 years.
"Moreover, increased gabapentin prescription frequency correlated with dementia incidence."
They added: "Our results support the need for close monitoring of adult patients prescribed gabapentin to assess for potential cognitive decline."
Side effects of gabapentin
LIKE all medicines, gabapentin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Side effects of gabapentin may happen in more than one in 100 people.
They're usually mild and go away by themselves.
They include:
Feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy
Feeling sick (nausea)
Being sick (vomiting)
Diarrhoea
Mood changes
Swollen arms and legs
Blurred vision
Dry mouth
Difficulty getting an erection
Weight gain
Memory problems
Headaches
Getting more infections than usual
Very few people taking the drug experience serious problems.
Call a doctor or call 111 straight away if you have a serious side effect, including:
Thoughts of harming or killing yourself – a small number of people taking gabapentin have had suicidal thoughts, which can happen after only a week of treatment
A high temperature, swollen glands that do not go away, your eyes or skin turn yellow (this may be less obvious on brown or black skin), unusual bruises or bleeding, severe tiredness or weakness, unexpected muscle pain or weakness, with or without a rash – these may be symptoms of a serious reaction
Long-lasting stomach pain, feeling sick or being sick – these may be warning signs of an inflamed pancreas
Muscle pain or weakness and you're having dialysis treatment because of kidney failure
Seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Call 999 now if:
Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
You're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
Your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
Someone faints and cannot be woken up
A child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
Source: NHS
In a study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia earlier this year, a team of scientists systemically reviewed data-driven research on how prescribed medications may influence dementia risk.
They found antibiotics, antivirals, and anti-inflammatory drugs were protective.
Vaccines for diseases such as hepatitis and typhoid showed associations between reduced dementia risk.
But they also uncovered concerning associations between frequent use of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines and an elevated risk of dementia.
Medications targeting vascular and metabolic pathways, including antihypertensives and statins, showed mixed outcomes.
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