Increased respiratory rate after Gabapentin in dogs

76 reports to the FDA describe increased respiratory rate in dogs given Gabapentin. That is 0.8% 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.

76Reports

84%Marked serious

17%Recovered

34%Died or euthanised

9 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

13 21%

1–2 days

9 15%

3–7 days

6 9.8%

1–4 weeks

14 23%

Over a month

19 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

13 17%

Still unwell when reported

26 34%

Died

9 12%

Euthanised

17 22%

Not known

11 14%

Problems reported at the same time

35 46%

34 45%

34 45%

29 38%

27 36%

26 34%

21 28%

19 25%

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 increased respiratory rate in dogs?: 76 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 9 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).

Increased respiratory rate with similar medicines

Increased respiratory rate after Trazodone 28 reports · 1.1% of its reports

All reported side effects of Gabapentin in dogs · Medicines most reported with increased respiratory rate