Gabapentin to cause osteoporosis?

[AhabHick]

I am on 1800mg of gabapentin for 5 or more years, can it cause osteoporosis?

[SueJohnson]

No

[ChrisColumbus]

The following from the Royal Osteoporosis Society dates from 3 years ago but remains on their website:

"Currently, there is only limited and conflicting research data from the studies of other or newer non-enzyme inducing anti-epileptic drugs, such as gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate and levetiracetam (Keppra) regarding their effects on bone."

"There is no conclusive research evidence to suggest that either gabapentin or another commonly prescribed medication, pregabalin, have any significant effects on bone when used for the indication of neuropathic pain"

theros.org.uk/information-a...

[AhabHick in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Yes that is as far as I could find.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to AhabHick]

The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (formerly The National Osteoporosis Foundation) only lists two of the older anti-epileptic drugs that the ROS lists: phenytoin (Epanutin, Dilantin) and phenobarbital (Luminal), but does also say "This list may not include all medicines that may cause bone loss". Their list:

"The following medicines may cause bone loss:

Aluminum-containing antacids

Antiseizure medicines (only some) such as Dilantin® or Phenobarbital

Aromatase inhibitors such as Arimidex®, Aromasin® and Femara®

Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs

Cyclosporine A and FK506 (Tacrolimus)

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) such as Lupron® and Zoladex®

Heparin

Lithium

Medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception (Depo-Provera®)

Methotrexate

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Nexium®, Prevacid® and Prilosec®

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Lexapro®, Prozac® and Zoloft®

Steroids (glucocorticoids) such as cortisone and prednisone

Tamoxifen® (premenopausal use)

Thiazolidinediones such as Actos® and Avandia®

Thyroid hormones in excess"

[AhabHick in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I reduced my aluminum from antacidsLithium is new to me need to check it.

Thanx

[AhabHick in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Lithium treatment (compared with no lithium treatment) was associated with a substantial and statistically significant decrease in risk of osteoporosis.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl....

[Eryl in reply to AhabHick]

Antacids and lithium are likely to increase osteoporrosis.

[Eryl]

youtu.be/2Qv01Wfq3LQ?si=vnK...(Not working as expected?)

[Rameau in reply to Eryl]

See also:

tn.gov/content/dam/tn/healt...

[AhabHick in reply to Rameau]

There is nothing in the pdf about osteoporosis as far as i can see.

[Sleepy65]

I had the same concern. I was on gabapentin for quite a few years and was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my spine, osteopenia in my hips at 60, despite being an avid walker all of my adult life. gabapentin does interfere with calcium in some way, but I have been unable to get an answer to this question. They need more studies. I am no longer on gabapentin as I switched to dopamine agonists. I am currently weaning off of pramipexole. I upped my iron intake to see if that would help, jury is still out. I do not want to go back to gabapentin but will not take opioids either.

[AhabHick in reply to Sleepy65]

Thing is i am taking gabapentin also for neuropathic pain, stopping it may be hard.

[Sleepy65 in reply to AhabHick]

There is always a trade off. You have to decide which is better or worse. I started bisphosphonates this summer to stop osteoporosis. Can’t have another scan for 1 1/2 years