Common back-pain drug may be linked to higher dementia risk, large study findsAccording to a major new study, a pain medication that millions of Americans rely on for chronic back pain may come with a hidden risk: a significantly higher chance of developing dementia or other cognitive problems. Compared 26,000 adults Researchers from Case Western Reserve University and many partner institutions analyzed medical records from 68 health systems across the United States, comparing 26,414 adults prescribed gabapentin for persistent low-back pain with a matched group who had similar pain — but didn’t take the drug. Their finding was concerning: Adults that received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) within 10 years. The risk was not just limited to older adults. In fact, it was younger American people who saw the most dramatic increases. Younger adults saw shocking risk increases For people normally considered decades away from dementia:

Also, they couldn’t analyze exact dosage or duration.

However, the dataset was huge, and the findings aligned with other emerging concerns about gabapentin’s side effects.

Why gabapentin use has skyrocketed
Gabapentin has been around since the early ’90s, originally approved to treat epilepsy. Over the years, doctors have increasingly turned to it for nerve pain, chronic pain, post-shingles pain, and restless legs syndrome because of the fact that it’s seen as a safer alternative to opioids.

It’s often prescribed long-term for back pain, although researchers note that many patients receiving it may also struggle with mobility — another known dementia risk factor.

However in this study, gabapentin users were matched with similarly limited patients who didn’t take the drug, suggesting mobility alone doesn’t explain the cognitive decline.

What this means for patients
The takeaway isn’t to panic, but to be informed.

If you or a loved one is taking gabapentin for back pain, experts say the study reinforces the importance of:

– Regular cognitive check-ins
– Talking with your doctor about risks and alternatives
– Avoiding unnecessary long-term use when possible
– Gabapentin is still considered safer than many pain medications, but awareness matters.

As the researchers conclude, “Our findings indicate an association between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within 10 years.”

Given the drug’s widespread use, that’s a message worth paying attention to.