Hyperkalaemia after Gabapentin in dogs

110 reports to the FDA describe hyperkalaemia in dogs given Gabapentin. That is 1.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

110Reports

68%Marked serious

1.8%Recovered

23%Died or euthanised

44 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 7.0%

1–2 days

10 14%

3–7 days

5 7.0%

1–4 weeks

8 11%

Over a month

43 61%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 1.8%

Still unwell when reported

45 41%

Died

12 11%

Euthanised

13 12%

Not known

38 35%

Problems reported at the same time

Kidney problems

64 58%

Loss of appetite

56 51%

Liver problems

46 42%

Low sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio)

34 31%

32 29%

29 26%

25 23%

24 22%

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 hyperkalaemia in dogs?: 110 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 44 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).

Hyperkalaemia with similar medicines

Hyperkalaemia after Selegiline (Anipryl) 37 reports · 0.9% of its reports
Hyperkalaemia after Trazodone 29 reports · 1.1% of its reports

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