Lameness after Gabapentin in cats

68 reports to the FDA describe lameness in cats given Gabapentin. That is 3.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

68Reports
65%Marked serious
8.8%Recovered
16%Died or euthanised
12 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
16 26%
1–2 days
2 3.3%
3–7 days
10 16%
1–4 weeks
16 26%
Over a month
17 28%

How the animals did

Recovered
6 8.8%
Still unwell when reported
42 62%
Euthanised
11 16%
Not known
9 13%

Problems reported at the same time

Lethargy
20 29%
Loss of appetite
18 26%
Behaviour change
14 21%
Abnormal radiograph finding
13 19%
Swelling
12 18%
Didn't work as expected
12 18%
Death
11 16%
Pain
10 15%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
3
1–3 years
10
4–7 years
14
8–11 years
10
12+ years
30

About this medicine

Gabapentin used for pain and to reduce stress or anxiety.

Questions owners ask

Can Gabapentin cause lameness in cats?
68 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 12 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 lameness