
07/28/2025
🧠💊 Gabapentin, Nerve Pain & Dementia Risk – What You Should Know
Many people struggling with nerve pain in their arms or legs due to herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or peripheral neuropathy are commonly prescribed gabapentin (or its cousin, pregabalin, aka Lyrica). While these drugs are approved for seizures and postherpetic neuralgia, they're often prescribed off-label for other types of nerve pain.
But here's something worth paying attention to:
📚 A recent study published in the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan looked at the long-term use of gabapentin and pregabalin and found a potential increased risk of developing dementia in people who use these medications.
🔗 You can read the study here:
"The association between Gabapentin or Pregabalin use and the risk of dementia" –
❗This doesn’t mean you should stop taking your medication abruptly — gabapentin affects your nervous system and should only be changed under your doctor’s supervision. But if you or a loved one is using it long-term, it’s worth having a conversation with your healthcare provider about the risks vs. benefits.
👉 Stay informed. Ask questions. Be your own health advocate.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10266423/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL0j6ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHuJ3bzZG0XTtJqKIVHp7GUT5uSPPmjB8DnrnrfWlnqwlSeHPJnHVo1vkEI7l_aem_mwtOS28T9kFXDfEqRIxjqw
Objective: Previous studies have shown that gabapentin or pregabalin use is associated with cognitive decline. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the association between gabapentin or pregabalin use and the risk of dementia. Methods: In this ...