Breathing problems after Gabapentin in dogs

The FDA has received 861 reports of breathing problems in dogs after Gabapentin. That is 9.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.7% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

861Reports

80%Marked serious

13%Recovered

37%Died or euthanised

12 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

155 22%

1–2 days

99 14%

3–7 days

77 11%

1–4 weeks

110 16%

Over a month

268 38%

How the animals did

Recovered

112 13%

Recovered with lasting effects

4 0.5%

Still unwell when reported

302 35%

Died

123 14%

Euthanised

199 23%

Not known

121 14%

Problems reported at the same time

335 39%

320 37%

285 33%

235 27%

202 23%

155 18%

139 16%

134 16%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

137

8–11 years

295

12+ years

321

About this medicine

Gabapentin used for pain and to reduce stress or anxiety.

Questions owners ask

Can Gabapentin cause breathing problems in dogs?: 861 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).

Breathing problems with similar medicines

Breathing problems after Selegiline (Anipryl) 78 reports · 1.9% of its reports
Breathing problems after Fluoxetine 114 reports · 4.4% of its reports
Breathing problems after Trazodone 203 reports · 8.0% of its reports
Breathing problems after Clomipramine (Clomicalm) 36 reports · 2.4% of its reports

All reported side effects of Gabapentin in dogs · Medicines most reported with breathing problems