Common back-pain drug may be linked to higher dementia risk, large study finds

– 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.

But does gabapentin cause dementia?

Not necessarily. The researchers were careful to note this was an observational study, meaning that it shows a strong association — not proof of direct cause.