Can Side Effects Of Gabapentin Be Similar To Dementia? (Top voted first)

Updated

I have been taking gabapentin and lamictal for bipolar for about 2 years. I am very sensitive to medications so my doses have had to be cut back a few times. I do not take what a "normal" dose would be as I do not tolerate it well. I am having trouble with my memory. I am concerned about my medication doing this. I have sometimes forgotten names or what I did the past few days or a week ago. I get confused over things that should not confuse me. I have lost interest in doing my hobbies. Please let me know if it is possible side effect?

5 Replies

Earliest Newest Votes
2

Absolutely - yes- gabapentin can & has cause a short term memory loss for me & I have been off of them for 1 & 1/2 yrs. I only took 300mgs 3x a day for 3 months . The memory thing started with the depression & many physical side affects 2 weeks after I started them but I was waiting to see a dr. That was totally booked . I am finally feeling almost normal . I am very sensitive to all meds , also. Stop that one / it is for sure giving you those affects.

Was this helpful? 3
3

Smith is correct.

After further reading on anticonvulsants, I've discovered that most can cause memory problems and, with most of the drugs, it tends to get worse with time. They may also cause some other cognitive issues and clumsiness, because they can affect balance.

This is referred to among the detailed side effects provided by the FDA.

Are there any other questions or concerns?

Was this helpful? 3
4

Thank you for the replies. Yes, they are very helpful. My doc says there are very few side effects but I have been on this for about 2 years and I know something is wrong for sure. I did not know it can get worse!!! The drug works great on bipolar and pain but maybe not worth it. I am on a list of meds so figuring this out has become a challenge. I am constantly fighting the fear of dementia or alzheimers because of these meds. Are these effects permanent?

Was this helpful? 1
5

8 months ago my dr. put me on 3 new rx that all cause weight gain, simvastatin, gabapentin & tizanidine. Now I'm on 7 rx's. I researched all 3 cuz I gained a lil weight even tho I was fiercely dieting! Being disabled, 62 yrs old, diabetic, osteoarthritic, with plantar fasciitis on both feet and overweight, some extra #s was the last thing I needed. 4 days ago I went back to dr. to refill meds. My community health clinic where I go nicely urged me to apply for rx help thru their walgreens. I had told my dr. I refuse to take any statin or the tizanidine, I just wanted my flexeril back and keep the gabapentin as I had no neg side effects (I have a very high tolerance to pain and nothing helps much usually) except that expensive tizanidine 3xs a day made me all kinds of stupid, clumsy, forgetful & falling asleep. In a nut shell here's what I've learned; 5 of my rx r $4 ea. at walmart so they & gabapentin weren't covered on rx "help" I was offered so the gal sed she'd get my dr to switch me to lyrica which was covered (see then they'd make $). She sed it was way better than gabapentin but super expensive (hmm..?) lyrica is damaging to the liver (I have hep c) gabapentin does not metabolize in the liver, it goes rt. thru. Rapid weight gain is 10th on lyrica's side effects list but #26 on gabapentins'. Health care professionals don't care about us it's all about $. All statins are poison to us!! Control cholesterol w yer diet and live better longer. Its a fact that elderly ppl on them for yrs end up with brain damage. Low doses of antidepressants topamax or cymbalta added to lower dose s of gabapentin work very well at reducing osteo-arthritis, neuropathy, sciatica & other pain w/ a lot less dangerous side effects. That's my plan! Good luck to y'all and fight the good fight. P.S. Google all of this and any other worries for answers like I did, information is power!

Was this helpful? 1
1

Hello, Nancy! How are you?

The FDA classifies both of these medications as anticonvulsants that can also be used to help with some mood disorders and virtually all such medications are known to cause similar issues. They also tend to worsen the longer you're on them.

Other side effects are listed as including nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth and weight gain.

Is there anything else I can help with?

Was this helpful? 0

More Discussions:

3000 mg of Gabapentin down to 1200 mg - AWFUL side effects?

About 16 months ago, I was put on Gabapentin for sciatica. Eventually, I worked my way up to around 3000 mg per day and ...

4 REPLIES
side effects of gabapentin off it 2 weeks with terrible side affects docs not doing much at all just me not coping and very depressed weird help

Side affects of being on gabapentin...off it 2 weeks now and have alot of really bad stuff going on..docs not helping me...

27 REPLIES
side effects of gabapentin methylcobalamin tablets

My father is a cerebral Haemorrhage patient with right side limb weakness and imbalance to fall. The doctor has prescrib...

6 REPLIES
side effects of Gabapentin Tab 600 Mg And Nortriptlin Cap 25

I am a 45 yr old woman who suffers from reflex sympathetic dystrophy and was prescribed nortriptylin cap 25 mg at bedtim...

3 REPLIES
Side effects of Gabapentin Tablets

I have severe choking problem because I have COPD.Doctor has prescribed the above pill one per day 300mg.What are advers...

1 REPLY
Sides effects of Gabapentin in the elderly

Dr. gave me 300mg of gabapentin today for back & sciatic nerve pain what effects have anyone had from this drug? Goo...

8 REPLIES
Side effects of 100mg gabapentin

I take 100mg each night to allow myself a nights sleep without my mind racing through thoughts. My neurologist said the ...

3 REPLIES
how long do side effects of gabapentin last

I was prescribed gabapentin for nerve pain and my ankle feet and legs swelled really badly I changed to pregabalin but t...

8 REPLIES
How long before side effects resolve from gabapentin?

My father who is 79 was started on 300 mg of gabapentin, three times a day. After the 4th dose, he was having hallucinat...

4 REPLIES
how long do withdrawal side effects of gabapentin last

I stopped taking a 300 mg twice a day dose of gabapentin last tues. I feel awful depressed sweaty moody irritated emotio...

22 REPLIES