Decreased red blood cell count after Gabapentin in dogs

The FDA has received 64 reports of decreased red blood cell count in dogs after Gabapentin. That is 0.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

64Reports

75%Marked serious

9.4%Recovered

34%Died or euthanised

12 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 12%

1–2 days

8 19%

3–7 days

5 12%

1–4 weeks

7 16%

Over a month

18 42%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 7.8%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.6%

Still unwell when reported

23 36%

Died

6 9.4%

Euthanised

16 25%

Not known

13 20%

Problems reported at the same time

34 53%

34 53%

33 52%

31 48%

24 38%

22 34%

Decreased haematocrit

22 34%

Vomiting

21 33%

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 decreased red blood cell count in dogs?: 64 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).

Decreased red blood cell count with similar medicines

Decreased red blood cell count after Trazodone 21 reports · 0.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Gabapentin in dogs · Medicines most reported with decreased red blood cell count