Warning Issued as Drug Taken by Millions May Raise Dementia Risk by Up to 40%

A new wave of research has sparked concern among medical professionals: a widely prescribed medication — once considered a safer alternative for chronic pain — may be linked to a significantly higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline over time.

This finding has led experts to urge caution, particularly for patients using the drug long-term or for conditions outside its original approved uses.

What the Research Found

Several large observational studies analyzing real-world data have identified a concerning association between the use of gabapentin — a drug prescribed for seizures, nerve pain, and other conditions — and an increased likelihood of developing dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Patients who received frequent gabapentin prescriptions were found to have a higher rate of dementia diagnoses compared with similar adults who did not take the drug.
In one study, individuals with 12 or more gabapentin prescriptions were about 40% more likely to develop dementia compared with those prescribed the drug fewer times.
Other findings suggest even higher risks for mild cognitive impairment and that these associations may emerge in middle-aged adults as well as older patients

Importantly, researchers emphasize that these studies show association, not proven cause and effect. That means gabapentin use might be linked to dementia risk, but the research does not definitively prove the medication itself causes it.

How Gabapentin Is Used — and Why This Matters

Gabapentin is approved by regulatory agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat seizures and post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain that persists after shingles). However, it has become widely off-label — meaning prescribed for conditions not formally approved — especially for chronic pain such as low back pain.

In the United States alone, over 15 million adults are estimated to be prescribed gabapentin, often for pain, restless leg syndrome, anxiety, and other conditions

Its increased use — particularly long-term — has prompted closer scrutiny from researchers, pharmacists, and clinicians who are now re-evaluating its risk-benefit profile in light of emerging evidence about potential cognitive effects.