Gabapentin Use for Chronic Back Pain Raises Dementia Risk, Study Suggests
By Adebowale Bello. B.Tech Microbiology, Freelance Health Writer. Medically reviewed by the DLHA team.
An adult black man wearing a brown long-sleeved t-shirt sitting across a table and holding his lower back in apparent pain. A labelled bottle of gabapentin and some tablets lie on the table. Image Credit: Microsoft Copilot AI.
Chronic lower back pain is something millions of Africans face. From farming communities bearing the weight of daily tasks to professionals sitting long hours in offices, this type of pain takes a real toll on everyday life.
Among the different types of pain relievers, doctors prescribe gabapentin as a treatment option because it works to ease nerve-related pain. It’s generally regarded as safe but like any drug, it's use comes with some worrying adverse effects.
Ruth Frank, a pharmacist based in Katsina, Nigeria, explains: “Gabapentin calms the nervous system by reducing abnormal brain signals. That’s why it helps with seizures and nerve pain.”
A new study now suggests that gabapentin might also affect memory significantly. While this side effect is not common, it’s worth paying attention to, especially for older patients.
Ruth, who was not connected with the study, notes: “Gabapentin can cause side effects like dizziness, sleepiness or double vision. Memory problems are rare but they may happen at higher doses or in older patients and they’re usually temporary.”
The research was a retrospective cohort study. That is, the researchers looked back at existing medical records to find answers rather than running a new experiment or trial. They used a massive database called TriNetX which holds anonymised health records from across the United States. The records spanned from 2004 to 2024 and included adults diagnosed with chronic lower back pain. The researchers excluded anyone who already had dementia, mild cognitive impairment, epilepsy, stroke or cancer. They also left out people who had used gabapentin before the study started.
A statistical technique called propensity score matching helped balance two groups. They matched people who were prescribed gabapentin with similar people who were not, making sure their age, existing health conditions and use of other pain medications were similar. They then looked at how many of these people developed dementia or mild cognitive impairment. They grouped gabapentin users by how many times they had been prescribed the drug: fewer than six prescriptions and six or more prescriptions.
The study included over 26,000 matched adults with chronic lower back pain. Here is what it revealed:
People with six or more gabapentin prescriptions had a higher risk of developing dementia compared to those without prescriptions. The people in this group were 29% more likely to develop dementia and 85% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, compared to other people.
The study showed that people under 65 were most affected. In this age group, those who took gabapentin were more than twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those who did not take it. They were also about two and a half times more likely to develop mild memory problems. Older adults also faced some increased risk, but the rise was much greater among people below age 65.
The more prescriptions someone had, the higher their risk. People with 12 or more prescriptions had greater rates of both dementia and mild cognitive impairment than those with just three to eleven prescriptions.
In short, the more frequently gabapentin was prescribed the more it was linked with memory problems especially for younger adults.
This study prompts important questions for pain management across Africa. While it draws from U.S data the points are still worthy of attention.
Across the continent gabapentin is commonly prescribed for various kinds of nerve pain, not just lower back pain. Understanding potential cognitive (memory and higher brain function) risks is important when doctors make treatment decisions.
Memory problems and dementia are often seen as issues for older people. This study shows that gabapentin may affect younger adults too. In many African settings, people in their prime years play active roles in farming, family and community. Even mild memory changes in young adults can have far-reaching effects.
In many parts of Africa, access to memory clinics or neurology specialists is limited. That means cognitive changes may go unnoticed for longer. Healthcare workers need to pay extra attention to early signs like forgetfulness or confusion among patients on gabapentin.
For many patients, the benefits of gabapentin outweigh the risks. It often brings significant relief where other drugs fail. But doctors and patients must carefully weigh these benefits against possible side effects.
Ruth adds perspective here: “It’s not just gabapentin. Other medicines for nerve pain like pregabalin or amitriptyline can also affect memory or thinking, especially in elderly patients or at higher doses.” This means gabapentin isn’t unique in having such risks but awareness is key to safe use.
This study shines light on potential risks but it is based on records from the United States. There is a real need for well-designed studies to consider local health challenges and treatment practices in African populations. That will give stronger guidance for African doctors and patients about possible adverse effects of gabapentin on memory
This new study suggests that frequent use of gabapentin may be linked with an increased risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. The risk is especially strong among younger adults and rises with the number of prescriptions. While more investigation is needed, particularly in African populations, the findings are a reminder that we must balance treating chronic pain with protecting our long-term brain health.
If you or your loved one is taking gabapentin for chronic lower back pain, pay attention to any memory or thinking changes and speak up early. Together with your healthcare provider you can explore safer pain relief options while protecting your brain.
Source: Eghrari NB, Yazji IH, Yavari B, et al. Risk of dementia following gabapentin prescription in chronic low back pain patients. Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine. Published Online First: 10 July 2025. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2025-106577. Available from here
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Related: Drug Facts for Africans: Gabapentin
Published: September 1, 2025
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