Kidney problems after Gabapentin in cats

The FDA has received 204 reports of kidney problems in cats after Gabapentin. That is 10% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

204Reports

77%Marked serious

7.4%Recovered

26%Died or euthanised

13 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

29 17%

1–2 days

23 14%

3–7 days

18 11%

1–4 weeks

38 23%

Over a month

58 35%

How the animals did

Recovered

15 7.4%

Still unwell when reported

91 45%

Died

12 5.9%

Euthanised

41 20%

Not known

45 22%

Problems reported at the same time

106 52%

69 34%

53 26%

51 25%

49 24%

48 24%

Elevated symmetrical dimethylarginine (sdma)

42 21%

Blood problems

41 20%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

108

About this medicine

Gabapentin used for pain and to reduce stress or anxiety.

Questions owners ask

Can Gabapentin cause kidney problems in cats?: 204 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 13 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 kidney problems