Researchers looked at millions of health records to see if gabapentin, a common medication used for nerve pain, might be linked to depression. They found that people taking gabapentin were about 1.8 times more likely to experience depression compared to those not taking it. The risk was even higher for women and people who sleep less than 7 hours per night. While this doesn’t mean gabapentin causes depression, doctors should pay closer attention to patients’ mental health when prescribing this medication and watch for warning signs of depression.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether taking gabapentin (a medication for nerve pain) is connected to developing depression
  • Who participated: Nearly 10,000 people from U.S. health surveys and medication side effect reports collected between 2011 and 2018
  • Key finding: People taking gabapentin were 80% more likely to have depression than those not taking it. This connection remained strong even after accounting for other factors like age, weight, and exercise habits.
  • What it means for you: If you take gabapentin, talk to your doctor about monitoring your mood and mental health. This doesn’t mean you should stop taking it without medical advice, but it’s important to be aware of depression symptoms and report them promptly.

The Research Details

Researchers combined information from two large U.S. databases: one that tracks health information from thousands of Americans, and another that collects reports of medication side effects from doctors and patients. They looked at data from 2011 to 2018 and used statistical methods to see if people taking gabapentin had higher rates of depression compared to those not taking it. They also looked at a separate database of adverse event reports to count how many people reported depression-related problems while taking gabapentin.

The researchers used advanced statistical techniques to account for other factors that might affect depression risk, such as age, sex, sleep patterns, exercise, and other health conditions. This helps them determine whether gabapentin itself might be responsible for the increased depression risk, rather than these other factors.

This research approach is important because it looks at real-world data from actual patients rather than just laboratory studies. This helps researchers understand how medications affect people in everyday life. By using multiple databases, they could confirm their findings and get a more complete picture of the potential connection between gabapentin and depression.

This study used large, well-established databases with thousands of participants, which makes the findings more reliable. However, because this is observational research (watching what happens rather than conducting a controlled experiment), we can’t be completely certain that gabapentin causes depression—only that the two are connected. The researchers tried to account for other factors, but some unmeasured factors could still play a role.

What the Results Show

The main finding was clear: people taking gabapentin had significantly higher rates of depression. When researchers adjusted for factors like age, sex, weight, physical activity, and other health conditions, people on gabapentin were 1.8 times more likely to have depression. This means if the baseline depression risk was 10%, it would increase to about 18% for gabapentin users.

The depression scores (a numerical measure of depression severity) were also notably higher in gabapentin users, with an average difference of 4 points on the depression scale. While this might sound small, it represents a meaningful increase in depression symptoms.

Certain groups showed even higher risk. Women taking gabapentin had a greater increase in depression risk compared to men. People who slept less than 7 hours per night while taking gabapentin also showed higher depression rates. This suggests that sleep quality and sex may play important roles in how gabapentin affects mental health.

When researchers examined the FDA adverse event database specifically, they found that among nearly 10,000 reported side effects from gabapentin use, about 1,165 involved psychiatric problems, with depression being a significant portion. This represents about 11.7% of all reported side effects, suggesting that mental health issues are a notable concern with this medication.

Previous research has shown mixed results about whether gabapentin increases depression risk. Some studies found a connection, while others didn’t. This new research provides stronger evidence for the connection by using large, representative databases and accounting for many other factors. However, because earlier studies had conflicting results, doctors and researchers are still working to fully understand this relationship.

This study has several important limitations. First, it’s observational, meaning researchers watched what happened rather than randomly assigning people to take gabapentin or a placebo. This makes it harder to prove that gabapentin directly causes depression. Second, people taking gabapentin often have chronic pain conditions, which themselves can cause depression—so it’s unclear whether the depression comes from the medication or the underlying condition. Third, the study couldn’t account for all possible factors that might affect depression risk, such as stress levels, relationship problems, or other medications people might be taking. Finally, people who report side effects to the FDA might be different from the general population, which could skew the results.

The Bottom Line

If you currently take gabapentin, don’t stop taking it without talking to your doctor first. However, you and your doctor should discuss the potential depression risk and establish a plan to monitor your mental health. Watch for signs of depression like persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep changes, or thoughts of self-harm. If you notice these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor may adjust your dose, switch you to a different medication, or add mental health support. (Confidence level: Moderate—this is based on observational data, not controlled experiments.)

This research is most relevant for people currently taking gabapentin for nerve pain, their family members, and healthcare providers. If you have a history of depression or mental health problems, this information is especially important to discuss with your doctor. People who already have depression should be particularly cautious and closely monitored if prescribed gabapentin. This doesn’t apply to people who don’t take gabapentin or those with no history of depression risk factors.

Depression symptoms can develop at any point while taking gabapentin, but they may take weeks or months to become noticeable. It’s important to monitor your mood regularly rather than waiting for obvious symptoms. If you do experience depression symptoms, they may improve within weeks to months after addressing the issue with your doctor, whether through dose adjustment, medication change, or additional mental health support.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your mood daily using a simple 1-10 scale, noting any changes in sadness, energy level, interest in activities, or sleep quality. Record this alongside your gabapentin doses to identify any patterns.
  • Set up weekly mental health check-ins with yourself using the app. Answer simple questions about your mood, sleep, and overall well-being. If you notice a downward trend, schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your symptoms.
  • Use the app to create a baseline mood score in your first week of tracking, then monitor for any sustained decline over the following weeks. Set alerts if your mood score drops more than 2 points from your baseline, prompting you to reach out to your healthcare provider.

This article summarizes research findings and is not medical advice. Gabapentin is an important medication for many people with nerve pain and other conditions. Do not stop taking gabapentin or change your dose without consulting your healthcare provider. If you experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, or any concerning changes in your mental health while taking gabapentin, contact your doctor or mental health professional immediately. This research shows an association between gabapentin use and depression, but does not prove that gabapentin causes depression. Individual responses to medications vary greatly. Always discuss the benefits and risks of any medication with your healthcare provider to make informed decisions about your treatment.