Intentional misuse after Gabapentin in cats

The FDA has received 82 reports of intentional misuse in cats after Gabapentin. That is 4.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

82Reports

67%Marked serious

8.5%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

8 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

15 21%

1–2 days

12 17%

3–7 days

9 13%

1–4 weeks

9 13%

Over a month

27 38%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 8.5%

Still unwell when reported

53 65%

Died

3 3.7%

Euthanised

12 15%

Not known

7 8.5%

Problems reported at the same time

Lethargy

29 35%

Loss of appetite

28 34%

Didn't work as expected

26 32%

16 20%

15 18%

15 18%

14 17%

12 15%

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 intentional misuse in cats?: 82 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 8 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 intentional misuse