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

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.