Weakness after Gabapentin in cats

80 reports to the FDA describe weakness in cats given Gabapentin. That is 4.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.2% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

80Reports

83%Marked serious

11%Recovered

39%Died or euthanised

7 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

19 27%

1–2 days

9 13%

3–7 days

9 13%

1–4 weeks

11 15%

Over a month

23 32%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 11%

Still unwell when reported

35 44%

Died

8 10%

Euthanised

23 29%

Not known

5 6.3%

Problems reported at the same time

31 39%

27 34%

27 34%

18 23%

18 23%

16 20%

Didn't work as expected

13 16%

Weight loss

13 16%

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 weakness in cats?: 80 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 7 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 weakness