Popular back pain medication linked to brain health risks in some patients

Popular back pain medication linked to brain health risks in some patients

Study finds those taking gabapentin face higher chances of cognitive decline, but researchers note limitations

Gabapentin has become increasingly popular for treating chronic pain, especially neuropathic (nerve) pain, experts noted. (iStock)

People between 18 and 64 years old who received gabapentin were more than twice as likely to develop either condition than those who hadn’t been prescribed the drug. (iStock)

Patients who had received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85% more likely to be diagnosed with MCI within 10 years of their initial pain diagnosis, the study found. (iStock)