Musculoskeletal disorder after Gabapentin in dogs

The FDA has received 252 reports of musculoskeletal disorder in dogs after Gabapentin. That is 2.8% 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.

252Reports

73%Marked serious

9.9%Recovered

33%Died or euthanised

10 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

27 14%

1–2 days

41 22%

3–7 days

21 11%

1–4 weeks

28 15%

Over a month

73 38%

How the animals did

Recovered

25 9.9%

Still unwell when reported

109 43%

Died

19 7.5%

Euthanised

64 25%

Not known

35 14%

Problems reported at the same time

83 33%

66 26%

57 23%

48 19%

46 18%

40 16%

38 15%

38 15%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

103

12+ years

109

About this medicine

Gabapentin used for pain and to reduce stress or anxiety.

Questions owners ask

Can Gabapentin cause musculoskeletal disorder in dogs?: 252 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 10 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).

Musculoskeletal disorder with similar medicines

Musculoskeletal disorder after Trazodone 29 reports · 1.1% of its reports

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