Hypocortisolaemia after Gabapentin in dogs

The FDA has received 24 reports of hypocortisolaemia in dogs after Gabapentin. That is 0.3% 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.

24Reports

58%Marked serious

0.0%Recovered

4.2%Died or euthanised

61 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 24%

1–2 days

1 5.9%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

2 12%

Over a month

10 59%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported

10 42%

Euthanised

1 4.2%

Not known

13 54%

Problems reported at the same time

Hyperkalaemia

9 38%

Loss of appetite

9 38%

Abnormal adrenocorticotropic hormone (acth) stimulation test

9 38%

Lethargy

8 33%

Weakness

7 29%

Didn't work as expected

6 25%

Weight loss

5 21%

Liver problems

4 17%

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 hypocortisolaemia in dogs?: 24 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 61 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 dogs · Medicines most reported with hypocortisolaemia