{"id":8252,"date":"2025-07-22T11:36:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T11:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/?p=8252"},"modified":"2025-07-22T11:36:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T11:36:21","slug":"gabapentin-users-may-face-85-higher-cognitive-impairment-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/22\/gabapentin-users-may-face-85-higher-cognitive-impairment-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Gabapentin users may face 85% higher cognitive impairment risk"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A recent study has raised concerns about <strong>gabapentin (Neurontin)<\/strong> and its potential link to <strong>cognitive impairment<\/strong>, particularly in older adults or those taking higher doses. Here\u2019s what you should know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Findings:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>85% Higher Risk<\/strong>: Research suggests gabapentin users may have an <strong>85% increased risk<\/strong> of developing cognitive impairment (e.g., memory loss, confusion, difficulty concentrating) compared to non-users.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stronger in Older Adults<\/strong>: The risk appears more pronounced in <strong>older patients<\/strong> (65+), especially those with pre-existing conditions like dementia or kidney dysfunction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dose-Dependent Effect<\/strong>: Higher doses (e.g., >1,200 mg\/day) and long-term use may further elevate risks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Might Gabapentin Affect Cognition?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>GABA Activity<\/strong>: Gabapentin modulates GABA (a calming neurotransmitter), which may contribute to brain fog or slowed thinking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sedation &amp; Confusion<\/strong>: Like other CNS depressants, it can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and mental clouding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kidney Function Impact<\/strong>: Poor kidney clearance (common in aging) can lead to drug accumulation, worsening side effects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who Should Be Cautious?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Older adults (especially those with dementia or mild cognitive impairment).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Patients on <strong>multiple CNS-acting drugs<\/strong> (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Those with <strong>kidney disease<\/strong> (requires dose adjustments).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Can Patients Do?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Discuss Alternatives<\/strong> \u2013 For nerve pain or seizures, ask about <strong>safer options<\/strong> (e.g., pregabalin may have a different risk profile).<br><strong>Monitor Symptoms<\/strong> \u2013 Report memory lapses, confusion, or attention issues to a doctor.<br><strong>Avoid High Doses<\/strong> \u2013 Use the <strong>lowest effective dose<\/strong> for the shortest duration.<br><strong>Check Kidney Function<\/strong> \u2013 Ensures proper dosing if kidneys aren\u2019t filtering well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While gabapentin is effective for nerve pain, epilepsy, and other conditions, this study highlights a <strong>potential cognitive risk<\/strong>\u2014especially in vulnerable groups. If you or a loved one is on gabapentin, consult a doctor before making changes, but consider discussing <strong>risk vs. benefit<\/strong> if cognitive concerns arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Reference:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/life-style\/health-fitness\/health-news\/explained-gabapentin-dementia-risk-gabapentins-hidden-side-effectsfrom-pain-relief-to-brain-fog\/articleshow\/122578137.cms\">https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/life-style\/health-fitness\/health-news\/explained-gabapentin-dementia-risk-gabapentins-hidden-side-effectsfrom-pain-relief-to-brain-fog\/articleshow\/122578137.cms<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/40639955\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/40639955<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/gabapentin-users-may-face-85-higher-risk-of-cognitive-impairment\">https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/gabapentin-users-may-face-85-higher-risk-of-cognitive-impairment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available on below link<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mygenericpharmacy.com\/category\/disease\/alzheimer-disease\">https:\/\/mygenericpharmacy.com\/category\/disease\/alzheimer-disease<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A recent study has raised concerns about gabapentin (Neurontin) and its potential link to cognitive impairment, particularly in older adults or those taking higher doses. Here\u2019s what you should know: Key Findings: Why Might Gabapentin Affect Cognition? Who Should Be Cautious? What Can Patients Do? Discuss Alternatives \u2013 For nerve pain or seizures, ask about safer options (e.g., pregabalin may have a different risk profile).Monitor Symptoms \u2013 Report memory lapses, confusion, or attention issues to a doctor.Avoid High Doses \u2013&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/22\/gabapentin-users-may-face-85-higher-cognitive-impairment-risk\/\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3647],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8252","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dementia"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8252","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8252"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8252\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8253,"href":"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8252\/revisions\/8253"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8252"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8252"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.mygenericpharmacy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8252"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}