Lameness after Gabapentin in dogs

The FDA has received 459 reports of lameness in dogs after Gabapentin. That is 5.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

459Reports

68%Marked serious

7.4%Recovered

22%Died or euthanised

17 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

45 13%

1–2 days

45 13%

3–7 days

46 13%

1–4 weeks

78 22%

Over a month

133 38%

How the animals did

Recovered

33 7.2%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.2%

Still unwell when reported

233 51%

Died

23 5.0%

Euthanised

76 17%

Not known

93 20%

Problems reported at the same time

133 29%

124 27%

99 22%

97 21%

75 16%

Didn't work as expected

74 16%

Abnormal radiograph finding

69 15%

Bone and joint disorder

69 15%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

101

8–11 years

182

12+ years

122

About this medicine

Gabapentin used for pain and to reduce stress or anxiety.

Questions owners ask

Can Gabapentin cause lameness in dogs?: 459 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 17 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).

Lameness with similar medicines

Lameness after Trazodone 58 reports · 2.3% of its reports

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