From the Guidelines
Gabapentin commonly causes side effects that patients should be aware of before starting treatment, including dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and unsteadiness when walking, as well as more serious but less common side effects like mood changes, depression, and suicidal thoughts, as reported in a study published in 2018 1. The most frequent side effects of gabapentin include:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Unsteadiness when walking Many patients also experience:
- Peripheral edema (swelling in the extremities)
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Weight gain
- Cognitive effects like difficulty concentrating or memory problems Gastrointestinal side effects such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhea may occur More serious but less common side effects include:
- Mood changes
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Allergic reactions
- Severe skin reactions Gabapentin can also cause respiratory depression, particularly when combined with opioids or other central nervous system depressants, as noted in a study published in 2017 2. These side effects occur because gabapentin affects neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly GABA, which influences nerve activity throughout the body. Side effects are often dose-dependent and may be minimized by starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it, as recommended in a study published in 2010 3. Patients should never stop gabapentin suddenly as this can cause withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, nausea, pain, and seizures in those taking it for seizure control. In addition, a recent study published in 2023 4 highlights the importance of careful consideration of the potential side effects of gabapentin, particularly in older patients or those with certain medical conditions.
From the FDA Drug Label
Gabapentin may cause serious side effects including: • problems driving while using gabapentin. • sleepiness and dizziness, which could increase the occurrence of accidental injury, including falls The most common side effects of gabapentin include: o lack of coordination o feeling drowsy o viral infection o nausea and vomiting o difficulty with speaking o jerky movements o tremor o difficulty with coordination o swelling, usually of legs and feet o double vision o feeling tired o unusual eye movement o fever
The possible side effects of gabapentin include:
- Serious side effects: problems driving while using gabapentin, sleepiness and dizziness
- Common side effects: lack of coordination, feeling drowsy, viral infection, nausea and vomiting, difficulty with speaking, jerky movements, tremor, difficulty with coordination, swelling, double vision, feeling tired, unusual eye movement, fever 5
From the Research
Side Effects of Gabapentin
- Gabapentin has been associated with several side effects, including: + Depression and suicidal ideation 6, 7, 8 + Aggressive behavior 6 + Personality changes 6 + Unintentional overdoses 9, 7 + Head or body injuries 7 + Road traffic incidents and offences 7 + Violent crime 7 + Teratogenicity 9 + Hypoventilation 9 + Respiratory failure 9 + Myopathy 9
- The risk of these side effects may be increased in certain populations, such as: + Younger patients (15-24 years old) 7 + Patients with mood disorders 8 + Patients with epilepsy or seizure 8
- Gabapentin may interact with other substances, including: + Morphine 9 + Caffeine 9 + Losartan 9 + Ethacrynic acid 9 + Phenytoin 9 + Mefloquine 9 + Magnesium oxide 9
- Gabapentin is contraindicated in certain conditions, including: + Myasthenia gravis 9 + Myoclonus 9