Weakness after Gabapentin in dogs

The FDA has received 814 reports of weakness in dogs after Gabapentin. That is 9.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

814Reports

75%Marked serious

9.3%Recovered

33%Died or euthanised

15 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

103 16%

1–2 days

102 16%

3–7 days

74 12%

1–4 weeks

108 17%

Over a month

253 40%

How the animals did

Recovered

75 9.2%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.1%

Still unwell when reported

373 46%

Died

65 8.0%

Euthanised

200 25%

Not known

100 12%

Problems reported at the same time

265 33%

257 32%

210 26%

195 24%

137 17%

136 17%

134 16%

112 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

281

12+ years

419

About this medicine

Gabapentin used for pain and to reduce stress or anxiety.

Questions owners ask

Can Gabapentin cause weakness in dogs?: 814 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 15 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).

Weakness with similar medicines

Weakness after Selegiline (Anipryl) 141 reports · 3.4% of its reports
Weakness after Fluoxetine 32 reports · 1.2% of its reports
Weakness after Trazodone 117 reports · 4.6% of its reports

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