Millions of people worldwide take gabapentin to manage chronic pain, nerve damage, epilepsy, and restless legs syndrome. The medication has long been considered relatively safe, particularly compared with opioid painkillers. However, new research suggests that long-term use of gabapentin may carry an unexpected risk: a higher likelihood of developing dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
While the findings do not prove that gabapentin causes dementia, they have sparked renewed discussion among doctors about prescribing the drug—especially for younger adults and patients expected to remain on it for extended periods.
What Is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is a prescription medication originally developed to treat epilepsy. Today, it is more commonly prescribed for neuropathic pain, including conditions such as:
- Chronic lower back pain involving nerve damage
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Postherpetic neuralgia (pain following shingles)
- Fibromyalgia (in some cases)
- Restless legs syndrome
Because gabapentin is generally viewed as less addictive than opioids, prescriptions have increased dramatically over the past two decades.
The New Study
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