Hiding after Gabapentin in cats

The FDA has received 87 reports of hiding in cats after Gabapentin. That is 4.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.4% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

87Reports

68%Marked serious

16%Recovered

17%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

29 36%

1–2 days

11 14%

3–7 days

16 20%

1–4 weeks

14 17%

Over a month

11 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

14 16%

Still unwell when reported

47 54%

Died

4 4.6%

Euthanised

11 13%

Not known

11 13%

Problems reported at the same time

53 61%

30 34%

20 23%

19 22%

15 17%

13 15%

12 14%

Restlessness or agitation

11 13%

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 hiding in cats?: 87 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 3 days 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).

All reported side effects of Gabapentin in cats · Medicines most reported with hiding