Latest news with #gabapentin
Gizmodo
5 hours ago
- Health
- Gizmodo
This Common Pain Med Could Be Raising Dementia Risk
Chronic pain can be a debilitating experience. A common medication used to manage the condition may come with its own serious dangers, however. Recent research finds an upsetting link between the drug gabapentin and a higher risk of dementia. Scientists at Case Western Reserve University led the study, which examined the medical records of people with chronic low back pain. People taking gabapentin for their back were significantly more likely to develop dementia over time compared to non-users, they found. The results suggest that doctors ought to be more aware of this potential complication, the researchers say. 'Our findings indicate an association between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within 10 years,' they wrote in their paper, published last week in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine. Ozempic Might Be a Dementia Buster, Too Gabapentin is an anti-seizure drug that's also regularly used to manage nerve pain and restless leg syndrome. And it's sometimes used to treat chronic low back pain, especially if the nerves are thought to be involved. The drug primarily works by reducing the abnormal electric activity of the brain's neurons. As useful as gabapentin can be, some—if not all—research has suggested a possible link to dementia and cognitive impairment. To better understand this potential risk, the study researchers examined its use among chronic low back pain patients. They analyzed the medical records of over 26,000 patients diagnosed with back pain between 2004 and 2024, comparing similar groups of patients who either were or weren't prescribed gabapentin. People who were prescribed gabapentin six or more times were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with dementia (roughly 30% more likely) and mild cognitive impairment (85% more) than those who weren't, the researchers found. This increase in relative risk was higher in people under the age of 65 as well as in those taking 12 or more prescriptions of gabapentin (compared to people receiving fewer prescriptions). These U.S. States Have the Highest Rates of Dementia These sorts of retrospective studies can only demonstrate a correlation between two things, not prove a clear cause-and-effect relationship. But the findings should motivate further research, both to confirm whether this link is genuine and to figure out the exact mechanisms behind it, the researchers argue. And for now, doctors should at least be more careful in how they prescribe gabapentin, including being more proactive in tracking the cognitive health of their patients taking it. 'Our results support the need for close monitoring in adult patients prescribed gabapentin to assess for potential cognitive decline,' the study researchers wrote.
Fox News
6 hours ago
- Health
- Fox News
Popular back pain medication linked to brain health risks in some patients
A painkiller used for lower back pain could be linked to a higher risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to new research. The study, published online in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, found that groups previously considered too young to develop the conditions faced more than twice the risk when taking gabapentin. "Our findings indicate an association between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within 10 years," the research team stated in a press release. The drug has become increasingly popular for treating chronic pain, especially neuropathic (nerve) pain, the researchers noted in a press release. Gabapentin — which is also used to control seizures, according to Cleveland Clinic — has relatively low addictive potential compared to traditional opioids. Recent research has sparked new concerns over its side effects, including a possible association with neurodegeneration. Previous findings could not confirm a specific link, especially regarding whether certain age groups are more vulnerable. In the latest study, researchers collected data from TriNetX, a health research network containing electronic health records from 68 healthcare organizations across the U.S. Examining anonymous records of adult patients, the team looked at groups who had been prescribed gabapentin for chronic lower back pain between 2004 and 2024 and compared them to people who hadn't received the drug. There were a total of 26,414 individuals in each group. The researchers accounted for factors like demographics, co-existing conditions and the use of other pain-relieving drugs. Patients who had received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 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, the study found. Looking at specific age groups, people between 18 and 64 years old who received the drug were more than twice as likely to develop either condition than those who hadn't been prescribed gabapentin. While there was no heightened risk among those aged 18 to 34 who were prescribed the drug, the risk of dementia more than doubled (and the risk of MCI more than tripled) among 35- to 49-year-olds. Researchers observed a similar pattern among 50- to 64-year-olds. Risks rose with prescription frequency: Patients with 12 or more prescriptions were 40% more likely to develop dementia and 65% more likely to develop MCI than those who were prescribed gabapentin between three and 11 times. "Our findings indicate an association between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within 10 years." The study did have some limitations. As this was an observational study, no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, the researchers noted. For more Health articles, visit They also acknowledged that because the study was retrospective, they couldn't account for dose or length of gabapentin use. The results "support the need for close monitoring of adult patients prescribed gabapentin to assess for potential cognitive decline," the researchers added.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Popular back pain medication linked to brain health risks in some patients
A painkiller used for lower back pain could be linked to a higher risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to new research. The study, published online in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, found that groups previously considered too young to develop the conditions faced more than twice the risk when taking gabapentin. "Our findings indicate an association between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within 10 years," the research team stated in a press release. The drug has become increasingly popular for treating chronic pain, especially neuropathic (nerve) pain, the researchers noted in a press release. Gabapentin — which is also used to control seizures, according to Cleveland Clinic — has relatively low addictive potential compared to traditional opioids. Recent research has sparked new concerns over its side effects, including a possible association with neurodegeneration. Previous findings could not confirm a specific link, especially regarding whether certain age groups are more vulnerable. In the latest study, researchers collected data from TriNetX, a health research network containing electronic health records from 68 healthcare organizations across the U.S. Examining anonymous records of adult patients, the team looked at groups who had been prescribed gabapentin for chronic lower back pain between 2004 and 2024 and compared them to people who hadn't received the drug. There were a total of 26,414 individuals in each group. The researchers accounted for factors like demographics, co-existing conditions and the use of other pain-relieving drugs. Patients who had received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 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, the study found. Looking at specific age groups, people between 18 and 64 years old who received the drug were more than twice as likely to develop either condition than those who hadn't been prescribed gabapentin. While there was no heightened risk among those aged 18 to 34 who were prescribed the drug, the risk of dementia more than doubled (and the risk of MCI more than tripled) among 35- to 49-year-olds. Researchers observed a similar pattern among 50- to 64-year-olds. Risks rose with prescription frequency: Patients with 12 or more prescriptions were 40% more likely to develop dementia and 65% more likely to develop MCI than those who were prescribed gabapentin between three and 11 times. "Our findings indicate an association between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within 10 years." The study did have some limitations. As this was an observational study, no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, the researchers noted. For more Health articles, visit They also acknowledged that because the study was retrospective, they couldn't account for dose or length of gabapentin use. The results "support the need for close monitoring of adult patients prescribed gabapentin to assess for potential cognitive decline," the researchers added.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Dementia warning as drug taken by millions raises risk of memory robbing disorder by up to 40%, study finds
A commonly taken drug for lower back pain could raise the risk of developing dementia by up to 40 per cent, concerning research suggests. Gabapentin, sold as Neurontin, was approved on the NHS in the early 1990s to treat nerve pain and epilepsy. But US researchers have found the pill—typically taken three times a day—could increase the risk of developing the memory robbing disorder by 29 per cent among patients of any age who had been prescribed it at least six times. This risk rose to 40 per cent among those who had been prescribed it on more than 12 occasions. The team, from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, said the findings suggested patients prescribed gabapentin should now be assessed for potential cognitive decline. But they cautioned the findings do not prove that taking the drug will cause dementia—merely that it shows an association. Experts today also suggested that people with chronic pain requiring gabapentin may simply have also been less physically active, a known risk factor for developing dementia, so the medication may be not be to blame. The drug—manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer of Covid vaccine fame—acts on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical messenger in the brain that functions like a brake on over-excited nerve cells. Latest NHS data shows 799,155 patients were prescribed gabapentin in England in 2023/24, down slightly on its peak of 926,071 in 2022/23. Figures suggest more than 8million gabapentin prescriptions are issued every year in the US. In the study, researchers assessed the health records from more than 26,000 Americans who had been prescribed gabapentin for chronic low pain between 2004 and 2024. They found those who had received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 29 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) within 10 years of their pain diagnosis. MCI can sometimes be a precursor to a dementia diagnosis. While there was no heightened risk among 18-to-34-year olds prescribed the drug, the risk of dementia more than doubled and MCI more than tripled among 35–49 year old prescribed it. Patients given 12 or more prescriptions were at even greater risk, the scientists found. These patients were 40 per cent more likely to develop dementia and 65 per cent more likely to develop MCI than those prescribed gabapentin between 3 and 11 times. Writing in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, they said: 'Our findings indicate an association between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within 10 years. They added: 'Our results support the need for close monitoring of adult patients prescribed gabapentin to assess for potential cognitive decline.' However, independent experts today urged caution over the findings. They highlighted the potential mechanism of how the drug could be influencing dementia remained unclear. Dr Leah Mursaleen, head of clinical research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said while the study had some strengths like a large sample size, there were limitations. 'This study only shows an association between gabapentin prescriptions and mild cognitive impairment or dementia, so we do not know if the medication is directly causing the higher risk,' she said. 'Gabapentin dosage wasn't recorded, and there was no information on how long people were on the medication. 'Because this study only used health records of people with chronic pain, we cannot rule out other factors that might be influencing the findings. 'And previous studies looking at people prescribed gabapentin for other conditions like seizures, didn't show a link between the medication and higher dementia risk. She added that anyone with concerns about their medication should speak to their GP. Professor Tara Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh and group leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute, also said: 'One very important factor that was not examined in this study is levels of physical activity. 'People with chronic pain requiring gabapentin may have been less physically active, which is a known risk factor for developing dementia.' Official data seen by MailOnline shows five Britons—or their families or medics— have linked taking gabapentin to an Alzheimer's or dementia diagnosis. Such reports, submitted to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, do not prove the medication was responsible and may just be coincidence. It comes as a landmark study last year suggested almost half of all Alzheimer's cases could be prevented by tackling 14 lifestyle factors from childhood. World-leading experts found two new risk factors—high cholesterol and suffering vision loss—were, combined, behind almost one in ten dementia cases globally. They join 12 existing factors, ranging from genetics to smoking status, that experts have identified as increasing the risk a person would suffer dementia. Experts claimed the study, published in the prestigious journal The Lancet, provided more hope than 'ever before' that the memory-robbing disorder that blights the lives of millions can be tackled. Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia and affects 982,000 people in the UK. Memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of the condition, which then worsen over time. Alzheimer's Research UK analysis found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022 compared with 69,178 a year earlier, making it the country's biggest killer.
Medscape
4 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Does Gabapentin Raise Dementia Risk?
The anticonvulsant gabapentin has been linked to a significantly increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. However, some experts are urging caution in interpreting the study. After adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and use of other pain medications, adults prescribed gabapentin for chronic low back pain had a 29% higher risk of developing dementia and an 85% higher risk of MCI within 10 years, compared to those with back pain who were not prescribed the drug. This finding provides 'a foundation to further research whether gabapentin plays a causal role in the development of dementia and cognitive decline,' the investigators, led by Nafis Eghrari, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, wrote. In the meantime, they said their observations 'support the need for close monitoring of adult patients prescribed gabapentin to assess for potential cognitive decline.' The study was published online July 10 in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Management. Hidden Cognitive Cost of Pain Relief? Gabapentin has become a common go-to alternative to opioids for chronic pain because of its low abuse potential, but its association with cognitive decline and dementia remain unclear. To investigate, Eghrari and colleagues used the TriNetX national database of de-identified patient records to recreate a propensity-score matched cohort of 26,416 gabapentin users and an equal number of nonusers. In the initial analysis of all adults aged 18 and older, gabapentin prescription was associated with a higher incidence of dementia (risk ratio [RR], 1.29) and MCI (RR, 1.85). To explore age-dependent differences, the researchers stratified the cohort into elderly (age ≥ 65) and nonelderly (age 18-64) groups. In the elderly cohort, gabapentin prescription was associated with increased incidence of both dementia and MCI (RR 1.28 and 1.53, respectively). Similarly, dementia and MCI were more commonly diagnosed in nonelderly gabapentin users than nonusers (RR 2.10 and 2.50, respectively). The researchers further stratified the nonelderly group into narrower age ranges: 18-34, 35-49 and 50-64 years. Among the 18-34 age group, there was no significant difference in dementia or MCI incidence between gabapentin users and nonusers. In contrast, patients aged 35-49 who were prescribed gabapentin had an increased likelihood of both dementia (RR, 2.44) and MCI (RR, 3.50). A similar pattern was observed in the 50-64 age group, where gabapentin exposure was associated with elevated incidence of dementia (RR, 2.28) and MCI (RR, 2.22). The risk increased further with prescription frequency: patients with 12 or more gabapentin prescriptions had a higher incidence of dementia (RR, 1.40) and MCI (RR, 1.65) than those prescribed gabapentin 3-11 times. Interpret With Caution Several experts offered perspective on the study in a statement from the UK nonprofit Science Media Centre. Martin Prince, professor of epidemiological psychiatry, King's College London, cautioned that 'confounding and reverse causality are tenable explanations for the observed effects.' Tara Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, noted that 'while authors used statistical methods to try and account for other risk factors, this type of study cannot prove that gabapentin was the cause of increased dementia risk.' 'One very important factor that was not examined in this study is levels of physical activity. People with chronic pain requiring gabapentin may have been less physically active, which is a known risk factor for developing dementia,' Spires-Jones said. Prof Sir John Hardy, group leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London said while the study is 'interesting, one has to worry that these types of findings are artefactual and result (for example) from a marginal acute effect on cognitive performance rather than effects on the underlying disease.' Ian Maidment, professor in clinical pharmacy, Aston University, Birmingham, England, noted that the study did not control for length of treatment or dose of gabapentin and further noted that 'other similar recent studies have failed to find a link.' In Maidment's view, 'the jury is out on whether gabapentin causes dementia.'
