Common back-pain drug may be linked to higher dementia risk, large study finds

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, according to a major new study.

Compared 26,000 adults

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University and several partner institutions analyzed medical records from 68 health systems across the U.S., 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 sobering: Adults who 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 wasn’t limited to older adults. In fact, it was younger Americans who saw the most dramatic increases.Continue reading…