Short answer: There is no proof that gabapentin causes dementia. But a large study published in 2025 in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine found that adults with chronic low back pain who filled 12 or more gabapentin prescriptions were 40% more likely to develop dementia and 65% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment within ten years than those who filled 3 to 11. The risk looked higher with more prescriptions, so if you take it long term, it is worth a review with your GP.
Short on time? See NuraCalm Total Relief, a daily magnesium cream many people use alongside their GP's plan.
Gabapentin is one of the most prescribed nerve pain medicines in the UK. Millions of people take it for burning feet, sciatica, shingles pain and more. So when headlines linked it to dementia, a lot of worried patients started searching. Here is what the research actually says, in plain English.
What did the 2025 gabapentin dementia study find?
The study was published in July 2025 in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine by Eghrari and colleagues at Case Western Reserve University in the US. After matching, they analysed the health records of 26,416 adults with chronic low back pain.
Key findings:
- People who filled 12 or more gabapentin prescriptions were 40% more likely to develop dementia and 65% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment within ten years, compared with people who filled 3 to 11 prescriptions.
- The risk of dementia more than doubled in adults aged 35 to 49 prescribed gabapentin, a group where dementia is normally rare. Raised risk was also seen in people aged 50 to 64.
Does this prove gabapentin causes dementia?
No. This was an observational study. It shows a link, not cause and effect. There are other possible explanations:
- People with worse pain may move less, and inactivity is a known risk factor for dementia.
- Long term pain, poor sleep and depression can all affect memory.
- The study could not measure dose, or check whether people took every tablet.
So the honest answer is: the question is open, and more research is needed. But the signal is strong enough that many people want to talk about it with their doctor.
Gabapentin side effects UK patients already know about
Even without the dementia question, the NHS lists common side effects of gabapentin. They include drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, unsteadiness, weight gain and swollen ankles. Many people describe feeling foggy or forgetful.
Since 2019, gabapentin and pregabalin have been controlled drugs in the UK because of the risk of misuse and dependence. The MHRA has also warned about breathing problems in some patients, especially older adults and people taking opioids.
| Option | How it works | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Gabapentin | Calms nerve signalling in the brain and spine | Drowsiness, dizziness; possible link to memory problems with long use |
| Pregabalin | Similar to gabapentin | Similar side effects; controlled drug |
| Amitriptyline / duloxetine | Changes pain signalling | Dry mouth, drowsiness; GP led |
| Lidocaine plasters | Local numbing | Limited prescription use |
| Magnesium cream with MSM | Feeds the nerve locally, light menthol for comfort | Daily routine; no effect on the brain |
Tried everything for tired, aching nerves? See why thousands in the UK keep NuraCalm Total Relief on their bedside table
- Magnesium chloride with MSM and arnica, made for daily use
- A light touch of menthol for an immediate cooling comfort
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Should I stop taking gabapentin?
Do not stop suddenly. Stopping gabapentin abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms and, in some people, seizures. If you are worried, book a medication review with your GP or pharmacist. Good questions to ask:
- Is my dose still the lowest that works for me?
- Could we try reducing it slowly?
- Are there other options for my type of nerve pain?
- Can I add things that work locally, such as a cream?
What are the topical alternatives to gabapentin?
NICE guidance on nerve pain (CG173) says a cream can be considered for people with localised nerve pain who want to avoid, or cannot tolerate, oral treatments. A cream works where you put it. It does not travel to the brain, which is why so many people like using one.
The licensed capsaicin creams are no longer supplied in the UK, so many people now look at magnesium creams. Nerves need magnesium for normal signalling, and vitamin B6 supports normal nervous system function. When nerves are starving and fraying, feeding them locally makes sense.
NuraCalm Total Relief combines magnesium chloride with MSM as a carrier to help it reach the nerve, plus vitamin B6, arnica and aloe vera, and a light touch of menthol for immediate cooling comfort. Many people use it every evening on their feet, legs or lower back, alongside whatever their GP has prescribed. It comes with a 90 day money back guarantee.
For more on side effects, read gabapentin side effects and what people use alongside it and pregabalin for nerve pain.
Frequently asked questions
Does gabapentin cause dementia?
It has not been proven. A 2025 study in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine found that adults with chronic back pain who filled 12 or more gabapentin prescriptions had a higher risk of dementia than those with fewer, but it could not prove that gabapentin was the cause.
Does gabapentin affect memory?
Some people report feeling foggy, forgetful or slow while taking gabapentin. Tell your GP if you notice changes in memory or thinking.
Is pregabalin safer than gabapentin for the brain?
Pregabalin works in a similar way and has similar side effects. Research on long term memory effects is still limited for both. Ask your GP which suits you.
Can I stop gabapentin on my own?
No. Always reduce gabapentin slowly with medical advice. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Can I use a nerve cream with gabapentin?
Many people use a daily cream alongside their prescription. Check with your GP or pharmacist if you are unsure.
Sources
- Eghrari NB et al. Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, 2025 (summary)
- NHS: Gabapentin
- NICE CG173: Neuropathic pain in adults
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. NuraCalm Total Relief is a cosmetic product and is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease, and it is not a replacement for any prescribed medicine. Do not stop or change gabapentin or any other prescribed treatment without speaking to your GP or pharmacist.