Prescription Drug Neurontin is Bad for Your Brain

Neurontin, an FDA-approved treatment for seizures and neuropathy, is a popular medication. The company that developed it encouraged doctors to prescribe Neurontin for other conditions like bipolar disorder and migraines, even though it was illegal to promote it for other treatments and the drug wasn’t shown to be effective for those conditions. In the end, the manufacturer settled a federal lawsuit under the False Claims Act.

Neurontin is still available and the risks are high for those who take it. Also known by its generic name gabapentin, Neurontin is addictive and can cause serious withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes it’s abused with opioids to create a euphoric high. Side effects include memory loss, lethargy, unsteadiness when standing or walking, headache, nausea, dizziness, suicidal thoughts, and more.

Because Neurontin prevents seizures by blocking connections between your brain and your central nervous system, it can cause memory loss that resembles dementia. Patients taking Neurontin can confuse common words, forget how to do basic tasks, get lost in familiar places, and repeatedly ask the same questions. It’s unclear whether memory loss is reversible after discontinuing Neurontin.

There are other, safer ways to treat seizures and neuropathy. I’d be happy to tell you more about the treatments that can help you live a better, healthier life. Call my office to schedule a consultation.