Urinary incontinence after Gabapentin in cats

22 reports to the FDA describe urinary incontinence in cats given Gabapentin. That is 1.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

22Reports

91%Marked serious

0.0%Recovered

32%Died or euthanised

35 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 22%

1–2 days

0 0.0%

3–7 days

4 22%

1–4 weeks

1 5.6%

Over a month

9 50%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported

12 55%

Died

6 27%

Euthanised

1 4.5%

Not known

3 14%

Problems reported at the same time

Wobbliness (ataxia)

6 27%

Death

6 27%

Didn't work as expected

5 23%

5 23%

5 23%

4 18%

4 18%

Faecal incontinence

4 18%

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 urinary incontinence in cats?: 22 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 35 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 urinary incontinence