GABAPENTIN

78/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by Viatris Specialty LLC

Gabapentin Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

710,782 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About GABAPENTIN

GABAPENTIN is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Viatris Specialty LLC. Based on analysis of 710,782 FDA adverse event reports, GABAPENTIN has a safety score of 78 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for GABAPENTIN include DRUG INEFFECTIVE, FATIGUE, NAUSEA, PAIN, OFF LABEL USE. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for GABAPENTIN.

AI Safety Analysis

Gabapentin has a safety concern score of 78 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 710,782 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Viatris Specialty Llc.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Drug Ineffective, Fatigue, Nausea. Of classified reports, 63.3% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. The majority of adverse events are serious, with a significant portion related to respiratory and neurological issues.

A wide variety of reactions are reported, indicating a complex safety profile. The most common reactions include fatigue, nausea, and pain, which are frequently reported.

Patients taking Gabapentin should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Gabapentin can interact with other drugs, potentially leading to adverse effects. Warnings include drug interactions and the risk of respiratory issues. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 78/100

Gabapentin received a safety concern score of 78/100 (high concern). This is based on a 63.3% serious event ratio across 351,586 classified reports. The score accounts for 710,782 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DRUG INEFFECTIVE28,916 reports
FATIGUE24,398 reports
NAUSEA21,942 reports
PAIN20,745 reports
OFF LABEL USE18,937 reports
DIARRHOEA17,453 reports
HEADACHE17,283 reports
DIZZINESS15,980 reports
FALL15,169 reports
DYSPNOEA13,732 reports
VOMITING11,712 reports
ASTHENIA11,632 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY11,357 reports
ARTHRALGIA11,158 reports
DEATH10,701 reports
MALAISE10,512 reports
PNEUMONIA10,059 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY9,998 reports
DEPRESSION9,996 reports
ANXIETY9,817 reports
SOMNOLENCE9,503 reports
INSOMNIA9,369 reports
BACK PAIN9,008 reports
RASH8,661 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED8,459 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL8,373 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED8,076 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE8,020 reports
CONSTIPATION7,707 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION7,437 reports
PRURITUS7,399 reports
PYREXIA7,349 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED6,935 reports
COUGH6,702 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE6,643 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION6,603 reports
TREMOR6,552 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA6,518 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS6,493 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY6,482 reports
DECREASED APPETITE6,386 reports
HYPERTENSION6,338 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE FOR UNAPPROVED INDICATION6,337 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS6,317 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE6,237 reports
NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL5,878 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT5,806 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING5,806 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN5,805 reports
COMPLETED SUICIDE5,780 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE5,699 reports
RENAL FAILURE5,601 reports
CHEST PAIN5,453 reports
PARAESTHESIA5,450 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER5,400 reports
HYPOTENSION5,322 reports
DRUG INTERACTION4,781 reports
BALANCE DISORDER4,734 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS4,610 reports
ALOPECIA4,563 reports
VISION BLURRED4,529 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS4,478 reports
ANAEMIA4,456 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT4,446 reports
DEHYDRATION4,346 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE4,290 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS4,276 reports
COVID 194,165 reports
SUICIDAL IDEATION4,160 reports
OVERDOSE4,092 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED4,081 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL3,976 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS3,943 reports
MYALGIA3,888 reports
MIGRAINE3,874 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN3,734 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY3,674 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT3,657 reports
JOINT SWELLING3,463 reports
INFECTION3,418 reports
SEPSIS3,414 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION3,381 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION3,329 reports
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS RELAPSE3,324 reports
ERYTHEMA3,321 reports
SEIZURE3,303 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE3,296 reports
HALLUCINATION3,271 reports
CONTUSION3,251 reports
DRUG ABUSE3,229 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE3,175 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED3,174 reports
AMNESIA3,149 reports
SINUSITIS3,109 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS3,084 reports
ARTHRITIS3,054 reports
DRY MOUTH2,980 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED2,972 reports
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT2,968 reports
ASTHMA2,963 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High number of serious adverse events (222,645 out of 351,586, or 63.3%).
  • Multiple neurological and respiratory issues are frequently reported, including falls, dyspnea, and pneumonia.
  • Drug ineffectiveness and overuse are also significant concerns.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 210,598, Male: 113,456, Unknown: 759. The most frequently reported age groups are age 60 (5,881 reports), age 61 (5,866 reports), age 58 (5,738 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 351,586 classified reports for GABAPENTIN:

  • Serious: 222,645 reports (63.3%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 128,941 reports (36.7%)
Serious 63.3%Non-Serious 36.7%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female210,598 (64.8%)
Male113,456 (34.9%)
Unknown759 (0.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 605,881 reports
Age 615,866 reports
Age 585,738 reports
Age 625,649 reports
Age 655,596 reports
Age 635,580 reports
Age 645,546 reports
Age 595,518 reports
Age 575,411 reports
Age 535,354 reports
Age 565,298 reports
Age 665,293 reports
Age 685,259 reports
Age 705,232 reports
Age 555,139 reports
Age 675,046 reports
Age 544,996 reports
Age 694,942 reports
Age 524,672 reports
Age 714,632 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Gabapentin can interact with other drugs, potentially leading to adverse effects. Warnings include drug interactions and the risk of respiratory issues.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Gabapentin, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include drug ineffective, fatigue, nausea, pain, off label use. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Follow prescribed dosages and do not alter the medication without medical advice. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

Gabapentin is subject to strict monitoring by the FDA due to its high number of serious adverse events. Healthcare providers should be vigilant about patient monitoring and management.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Gabapentin?

The FDA has received approximately 710,782 adverse event reports associated with Gabapentin. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Gabapentin?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Gabapentin include Drug Ineffective, Fatigue, Nausea, Pain, Off Label Use. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Drug Ineffective (28,916 reports), Fatigue (24,398 reports), Nausea (21,942 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Gabapentin.

What percentage of Gabapentin adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 351,586 classified reports, 222,645 (63.3%) were classified as serious and 128,941 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Gabapentin (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Gabapentin break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 210,598, Male: 113,456, Unknown: 759. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Gabapentin?

The most frequently reported age groups for Gabapentin adverse events are: age 60: 5,881 reports, age 61: 5,866 reports, age 58: 5,738 reports, age 62: 5,649 reports, age 65: 5,596 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Gabapentin?

The primary manufacturer associated with Gabapentin adverse event reports is Viatris Specialty Llc. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Gabapentin?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Gabapentin include: Diarrhoea, Headache, Dizziness, Fall, Dyspnoea. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Gabapentin?

You can report adverse events from Gabapentin to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Gabapentin's safety score and what does it mean?

Gabapentin has a safety concern score of 78 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. The majority of adverse events are serious, with a significant portion related to respiratory and neurological issues.

What are the key safety signals for Gabapentin?

Key safety signals identified in Gabapentin's adverse event data include: High number of serious adverse events (222,645 out of 351,586, or 63.3%).. Multiple neurological and respiratory issues are frequently reported, including falls, dyspnea, and pneumonia.. Drug ineffectiveness and overuse are also significant concerns.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Gabapentin interact with other drugs?

Gabapentin can interact with other drugs, potentially leading to adverse effects. Warnings include drug interactions and the risk of respiratory issues. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Gabapentin.

What should patients know before taking Gabapentin?

Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Follow prescribed dosages and do not alter the medication without medical advice.

Are Gabapentin side effects well-documented?

Gabapentin has 710,782 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. A wide variety of reactions are reported, indicating a complex safety profile. The volume of reports for Gabapentin reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is subject to strict monitoring by the FDA due to its high number of serious adverse events. Healthcare providers should be vigilant about patient monitoring and management. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to GABAPENTIN based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

CarbamazepineLamotrigineValproic Acid
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.