The back pain drug could double the risk of dementia in some adults, research suggests

An analgesic used for lower back pain could be linked to a higher risk of dementia and mild cognitive disabilities (MCI), according to new research.

The study, published online in the Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine journal, revealed that groups previously considered too young to develop the conditions were faced with more than double risk when taking the gabapentine.

“Our results indicate an association between the prescription of Gabapentine and dementia or cognitive disorders within 10 years,” the research team said in a press release.

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The drug has become more and more popular to treat chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain (nervous), the researchers noted in a press release.

Gabapentine – which is also used to control crises, according to the Cleveland Clinic – has a relatively low addictive potential compared to traditional opioids.

Gabapentine has become more and more popular to treat chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain (nervous), experts noted. (istock)

Recent research has aroused new concerns about its side effects, including a possible association with neurodegeneration.

The previous results could not confirm a specific link, in particular to know if certain age groups are more vulnerable.

In the latest study, the researchers collected data from Trinetx, a health research network containing electronic health files of 68 health care organizations across the United States

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By examining the anonymous recordings of adult patients, the team examined the groups that had been prescribed from Gabapentine for chronic back of the back between 2004 and 2024 and compared them to people who had not received the medication. There was a total of 26,414 individuals in each group.

Researchers have represented factors such as demography, coexisting conditions and the use of other pain drugs.

People aged 18 to 64 who received gabapentine were more than twice as likely to develop one or the other condition than those that had not been prescribed the medication. (istock)

Patients who had received six or more gabapentine prescriptions were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85% more likely to be diagnosed with MCI within 10 years of their initial diagnosis of pain, the study revealed.

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By looking at specific age groups, people aged 18 to 64 who received the drug were more than twice as likely to develop one or the other of the conditions as those which had not been prescribed the gabapentine.

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Although there was no increased risk in 18 to 34 year olds who were prescribed the drug, the risk of dementia has more than doubled (and the risk of MCI more than tripled) in 35 to 49 year olds.

The researchers observed a similar model in children aged 50 to 64.

Patients who had received six or more gabapentine prescriptions were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85% more likely to be diagnosed with MCI within 10 years of their initial diagnosis of pain, the study revealed. (istock)

The risks increased with a frequency of prescription: patients with 12 or more orders were 40% more likely to develop dementia and 65% more likely to develop MCI than those who were prescribed gabapentine between three and 11 times.

“Our results indicate an association between the prescription of Gabapentine and dementia or cognitive disorders within 10 years.”

The study had certain limits. As it was an observation study, no firm conclusion can be drawn on the cause and the effect, noted the researchers.

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They also recognized that because the study was retrospective, they could not explain the dose or the duration of the use of gabapentine.

The results “support the need for close monitoring of adult patients have prescribed gabapentine to assess the potential cognitive decline”, added the researchers.