Behaviour change after Gabapentin in dogs

432 reports to the FDA describe behaviour change in dogs given Gabapentin. That is 4.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

432Reports

62%Marked serious

19%Recovered

21%Died or euthanised

10 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

76 22%

1–2 days

47 14%

3–7 days

42 12%

1–4 weeks

73 21%

Over a month

103 30%

How the animals did

Recovered

81 19%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 0.5%

Still unwell when reported

172 40%

Died

29 6.7%

Euthanised

61 14%

Not known

87 20%

Problems reported at the same time

141 33%

109 25%

90 21%

85 20%

84 19%

73 17%

67 16%

65 15%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

128

12+ years

170

About this medicine

Gabapentin used for pain and to reduce stress or anxiety.

Questions owners ask

Can Gabapentin cause behaviour change in dogs?: 432 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 10 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).

Behaviour change with similar medicines

Behaviour change after Selegiline (Anipryl) 165 reports · 4.0% of its reports
Behaviour change after Fluoxetine 231 reports · 8.9% of its reports
Behaviour change after Trazodone 152 reports · 6.0% of its reports
Behaviour change after Clomipramine (Clomicalm) 170 reports · 11% of its reports

All reported side effects of Gabapentin in dogs · Medicines most reported with behaviour change