Eye or vision problems after Gabapentin in cats

The FDA has received 43 reports of eye or vision problems in cats after Gabapentin. That is 2.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.3% across reports for all cat medicines.

43Reports

79%Marked serious

16%Recovered

14%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

16 42%

1–2 days

6 16%

3–7 days

6 16%

1–4 weeks

1 2.6%

Over a month

9 24%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 14%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.3%

Still unwell when reported

19 44%

Died

2 4.7%

Euthanised

4 9.3%

Not known

11 26%

Problems reported at the same time

Behaviour change

14 33%

Restlessness or agitation

9 21%

Seizures

9 21%

Wobbliness (ataxia)

9 21%

Loss of appetite

9 21%

Abnormal pupil light reflex

8 19%

Abnormal menace reflex test

7 16%

Lethargy

7 16%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Gabapentin used for pain and to reduce stress or anxiety.

Questions owners ask

Can Gabapentin cause eye or vision problems in cats?: 43 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 1 day of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Eye or vision problems with similar medicines

Eye or vision problems after Clomipramine (Clomicalm) 21 reports · 17% of its reports

All reported side effects of Gabapentin in cats · Medicines most reported with eye or vision problems