Studies Show Links Between Gabapentin and Cognitive Decline and Dementia

Gabapentin is a prescription medication, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogue, that reduces the excitability of neurons. It is used to control and prevent partial seizures, to relieve neuralgia, and to treat restless legs syndrome. It’s also used off label to address anxiety disorders, migraines, insomnia, drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and for non-approved pain problems like nerve pain from sciatica. The brand names of gabapentin are Neurontin, Horizant, and Gralise. Some states have classified gabapentin as a Schedule V controlled substance due to the number of deaths from overdose, but prescriptions are climbing anyway. Recent studies have shown that there may be cognitive dangers in using gabapentin, including the risk of dementia. If you believe your cognitive decline (or your loved one’s cognitive decline) is the result of gabapentin use, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group.

Contact Moll Law Group About Your Gabapentin Claim

Evidence has accumulated that gabapentin use may come with cognitive risks; studies demonstrate that there are increased rates of cognitive decline and dementia in those patients that use the prescription drug. For instance, one study found that those treated for chronic low backpain with six or more gabapentin prescriptions had an 85% higher risk of mild cognitive impairment and 29% higher risk of dementia within 10 years compared to those who had no gabapentin prescriptions after being diagnosed. This higher risk wasn’t limited to the older patients—even adults between ages 35-49 had over two times the risk of dementia and over three times the risk of mild cognitive impairment than their peers in the group that didn’t take gabapentin. There was elevated danger of cognitive impairment and dementia for those between ages 50-64, too.

A Case Western study also implies a connection between gabapentin and increased risk of dementia in otherwise cognitively healthy adults. And in Frontiers in Pharmacology, a study compared the neurocognitive changes between (1) 480 adults who were 65 or older but not cognitively impaired who started taking gabapentin and (2) a group of 4320 adults that didn’t take the drug. The researchers determined that the gabapentin group had 1.5 to 1.9 times the chances of developing cognitive decline after a year compared with the non-gabapentin group. The same lead scientist conducted another comparative study, examining those adults who did have cognitive impairment when they started taking gabapentin; in those cases, the gabapentin use wasn’t significantly linked with cognitive decline within two years.

If you suffered cognitive decline or a loved one developed dementia, and you believe that this was the result of gabapentin use, you may be able to bring a product liability lawsuit. These are lawsuits that can be pursued in connection with design, manufacturing or marketing defects. Marketing defects often include failure to warn. Patients have brought lawsuits arguing that the manufacturer shouldn’t have marketed off label uses and alleging that the manufacturer failed to warn about cognitive decline and dementia.

Discuss Your Gabapentin Injuries With a Product Liability Attorney

If you suffered Gabapentin-related cognitive decline or dementia or other injuries, please call the knowledgeable Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group to determine whether you have a viable claim. Complete our online form or call us at 312.462.1700.