The following information comes from DailyMed, the official FDA label information provider for drugs.
The following serious adverse reactions of gabapentin are discussed in greater detail in other sections:
- Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity
- Anaphylaxis and Angioedema
- Somnolence/Sedation and Dizziness
- Withdrawal Precipitated Seizure, Status Epilepticus
- Suicidal Behavior and Ideation
- Neuropsychiatric Adverse Reactions (most commonly in pediatric patients)
- Sudden and Unexplained Death in Patients with Epilepsy
- Respiratory depression
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Postherpetic Neuralgia
The most common adverse reactions associated with the use of gabapentin in adults, not seen at an equivalent frequency among placebo-treated patients, were dizziness, somnolence, and peripheral edema (swelling of extremities but not limited to extremities).
In the 2 controlled trials in postherpetic neuralgia, 16% of the 336 patients who received gabapentin and 9% of the 227 patients who received placebo discontinued treatment because of an adverse reaction. The adverse reactions that most frequently led to withdrawal in gabapentin-treated patients were dizziness, somnolence, and nausea.
Table 3 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 1% of gabapentin-treated patients with postherpetic neuralgia participating in placebo-controlled trials and that were numerically more frequent in the gabapentin group than in the placebo group.
TABLE 3. Adverse Reactions in Pooled Placebo-Controlled Trials in Postherpetic Neuralgia
GabapentinN=336% | PlaceboN=227% | |
Body as a Whole | ||
Asthenia | 6 | 5 |
Infection | 5 | 4 |
Accidental injury | 3 | 1 |
Digestive System | ||
Diarrhea | 6 | 3 |
Dry mouth | 5 | 1 |
Constipation | 4 | 2 |
Nausea | 4 | 3 |
Vomiting | 3 | 2 |
Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders | ||
Peripheral edema | 8 | 2 |
Weight gain | 2 | 0 |
Hyperglycemia | 1 | 0 |
Nervous System | ||
Dizziness | 28 | 8 |
Somnolence | 21 | 5 |
Ataxia | 3 | 0 |
Abnormal thinking | 3 | 0 |
Abnormal gait | 2 | 0 |
Incoordination | 2 | 0 |
Respiratory System | ||
Pharyngitis | 1 | 0 |
Special Senses | ||
Amblyopia | 3 | 1 |
Conjunctivitis | 1 | 0 |
Diplopia | 1 | 0 |
Otitis media | 1 | 0 |
a Reported as blurred vision |
Other reactions in more than 1% of patients but equally or more frequent in the placebo group included pain, tremor, neuralgia, back pain, dyspepsia, dyspnea, and flu syndrome.
There were no clinically important differences between men and women in the types and incidence of adverse reactions. Because there were few patients whose race was reported as other than white, there is insufficient data to support a statement regarding the distribution of adverse reactions by race.
Epilepsy with Partial Onset Seizures (Adjunctive Therapy)
The most common adverse reactions with gabapentin in combination with other antiepileptic drugs in patients >12 years of age, not seen at an equivalent frequency among placebo-treated patients, were somnolence, dizziness, ataxia, fatigue, and nystagmus.
The most common adverse reactions with gabapentin in combination with other antiepileptic drugs in pediatric patients 3 to 12 years of age, not seen at an equal frequency among placebo-treated patients, were viral infection, fever, nausea and/or vomiting, somnolence, and hostility [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].
Approximately 7% of the 2,074 patients > 12 years of age and approximately 7% of the 449 pediatric patients 3 to 12 years of age who received gabapentin in premarketing clinical trials discontinued treatment because of an adverse reaction. The adverse reactions most commonly associated with withdrawal in patients > 12 years of age were somnolence (1.2%), ataxia (0.8%), fatigue (0.6%), nausea and/or vomiting (0.6%), and dizziness (0.6%). The adverse reactions most commonly associated with withdrawal in pediatric patients were emotional lability (1.6%), hostility (1.3%), and hyperkinesia (1.1%).
Table 4 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 1% of gabapentin-treated patients > 12 years of age with epilepsy participating in placebo-controlled trials and were numerically more common in the gabapentin group. In these studies, either gabapentin or placebo was added to the patient’s current antiepileptic drug therapy.
TABLE 4. Adverse Reactions in Pooled Placebo-Controlled Add-On Trials In Epilepsy Patients > 12 years of age
GabapentinaN=543% | PlaceboaN=378% | |
Body As A Whole | ||
Fatigue | 11 | 5 |
Increased Weight | 3 | 2 |
Back Pain | 2 | 1 |
Peripheral Edema | 2 | 1 |
Cardiovascular | ||
Vasodilatation | 1 | 0 |
Digestive System | ||
Dyspepsia | 2 | 1 |
Dry Mouth or Throat | 2 | 1 |
Constipation | 2 | 1 |
Dental Abnormalities | 2 | 0 |
Nervous System | ||
Somnolence | 19 | 9 |
Dizziness | 17 | 7 |
Ataxia | 13 | 6 |
Nystagmus | 8 | 4 |
Tremor | 7 | 3 |
Dysarthria | 2 | 1 |
Amnesia | 2 | 0 |
Depression | 2 | 1 |
Abnormal thinking | 2 | 1 |
Abnormal coordination | 1 | 0 |
Respiratory System | ||
Pharyngitis | 3 | 2 |
Coughing | 2 | 1 |
Skin and Appendages | ||
Abrasion | 1 | 0 |
Urogenital System | ||
Impotence | 2 | 1 |
Special Senses | ||
Diplopia | 6 | 2 |
Amblyopia | 4 | 1 |
a Plus background antiepileptic drug therapyb Amblyopia was often described as blurred vision. |
Among the adverse reactions occurring at an incidence of at least 10% in gabapentin-treated patients, somnolence and ataxia appeared to exhibit a positive dose-response relationship.
The overall incidence of adverse reactions and the types of adverse reactions seen were similar among men and women treated with gabapentin. The incidence of adverse reactions increased slightly with increasing age in patients treated with either gabapentin or placebo. Because only 3% of patients (28/921) in placebo-controlled studies were identified as nonwhite (black or other), there are insufficient data to support a statement regarding the distribution of adverse reactions by race.
Table 5 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 2% of gabapentin-treated patients, age 3 to 12 years of age with epilepsy participating in placebo-controlled trials, and which were numerically more common in the gabapentin group.
TABLE 5. Adverse Reactions in a Placebo-Controlled Add-On Trial in Pediatric Epilepsy Patients Age 3 to 12 Years
GabapentinaN=119% | PlaceboaN=128% | |
Body As A Whole | ||
Viral Infection | 11 | 3 |
Fever | 10 | 3 |
Increased Weight | 3 | 1 |
Fatigue | 3 | 2 |
Digestive System | ||
Nausea and/or Vomiting | 8 | 7 |
Nervous System | ||
Somnolence | 8 | 5 |
Hostility | 8 | 2 |
Emotional Lability | 4 | 2 |
Dizziness | 3 | 2 |
Hyperkinesia | 3 | 1 |
Respiratory System | ||
Bronchitis | 3 | 1 |
Respiratory Infection | 3 | 1 |
a Plus background antiepileptic drug therapy |
Other reactions in more than 2% of pediatric patients 3 to 12 years of age but equally or more frequent in the placebo group included: pharyngitis, upper respiratory infection, headache, rhinitis, convulsions, diarrhea, anorexia, coughing, and otitis media.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post marketing use of gabapentin. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Hepatobiliary disorders: jaundice
Investigations: elevated creatine phosphokinase, elevated liver enzymes
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: hyponatremia, changes in serum glucose
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorder: rhabdomyolysis
Nervous system disorders: movement disorder
Psychiatric disorders: agitation
Reproductive system and breast disorders: breast hypertrophy, changes in libido, ejaculation disorders and anorgasmia
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: angioedema, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Adverse reactions following the abrupt discontinuation of gabapentin have also been reported. The most frequently reported reactions were anxiety, insomnia, nausea, pain, and sweating.
*Abrupt discontinuation is not recommended without provider approval, as serious side effects such as seizures can occur. Consult your medical provider before discontinuation.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.