Otitis externa after Gabapentin in dogs

The FDA has received 44 reports of otitis externa in dogs after Gabapentin. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

44Reports

73%Marked serious

9.1%Recovered

20%Died or euthanised

39 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

2 6.7%

1–2 days

1 3.3%

3–7 days

2 6.7%

1–4 weeks

10 33%

Over a month

15 50%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 9.1%

Still unwell when reported

16 36%

Died

2 4.5%

Euthanised

7 16%

Not known

15 34%

Problems reported at the same time

14 32%

13 30%

13 30%

13 30%

12 27%

12 27%

Skin rash or irritation

11 25%

Death

9 20%

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 otitis externa in dogs?: 44 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 39 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 otitis externa