{"id":630202,"date":"2024-10-24T13:47:16","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T17:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630202"},"modified":"2026-01-28T14:09:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T19:09:21","slug":"gabapentin-and-kidney-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/gabapentin-and-kidney-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Gabapentin and kidney disease: What you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/span>Gabapentin<\/span><\/a> is an<\/span> anticonvulsant medication<\/span><\/a>. Gabapentin can reduce seizure activity in people with epilepsy, decrease postherpetic neuralgia pain associated with shingles, treat restless leg syndrome, and help treat diabetic neuropathy. It is available in capsules, tablets, oral solutions, and extended-release capsules.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you regularly use gabapentin, you may want to know about gabapentin and kidney disease. Does gabapentin affect the kidneys? Is gabapentin hard on the kidneys? There is no indication that gabapentin on its own can cause renal impairment, renal failure, or kidney disease. However, if you already have kidney disease, it may be more difficult to clear gabapentin from your system, which means that your dose will have to be adjusted accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here, we\u2019ll look at gabapentin and kidney disease, including what any potential kidney risks are, how to take gabapentin if you have kidney disease, and some alternative gabapentin medications and treatment options.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is gabapentin bad for your kidneys?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s common to wonder if gabapentin may cause organ damage, particularly if it can negatively impact the kidneys. Although<\/span> some case studies<\/span><\/a> have found links between taking gabapentin and resulting liver issues, there are no cases in the literature of gabapentin on its own causing kidney issues or <\/span>kidney disease<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In general, gabapentin is not considered harmful to the kidneys in people who have normal kidney function, says<\/span> Soma Mandal, MD<\/span><\/a>, an internist at Summit Health. Gabapentin<\/span> is primarily excreted through the kidneys<\/span><\/a>, she notes. \u201cSo in patients with healthy renal function, the medication is cleared effectively from the body,\u201d she explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only is gabapentin generally safe for your kidneys, but it\u2019s not known to <\/span>damage your kidneys<\/span><\/a> or cause kidney disease. \u201cGabapentin is generally safe for the kidneys when used correctly,\u201d Sean Ormond, MD, anesthesiologist and interventional pain management physician at<\/span> Atlas Pain Specialists<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t directly harm the kidneys or lead to kidney disease in most individuals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

However, as Dr. Ormond points out, if you already have kidney issues, the drug can build up in your system because you need well-functioning kidneys to clear it out. \u201cThis accumulation may increase the risk of side effects, so it\u2019s crucial to use it under the guidance of a doctor,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take gabapentin if you have kidney disease?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Although gabapentin is generally safe for people without kidney issues, if you have renal impairment or any underlying kidney issues, you need to be aware of the <\/span>potential risks.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cFor patients with kidney disease, gabapentin can accumulate in the body because the kidneys are less effective at excreting the drug,\u201d Dr. Mandal explains. \u201cThis accumulation can increase the risk of side effects, such as dizziness, fatigue, and confusion, which are more pronounced in this population.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the National Library of Medicine<\/span> notes<\/span><\/a>, gabapentin toxicity has occurred in people with chronic kidney disease or in people undergoing hemodialysis. Symptoms of this toxicity include tremors, confusion, and respiratory depression (breathing issues) that sometimes require intubation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aaron Emmel, PharmD, founder at<\/span> Pharmacy Tech Scholar<\/span><\/a> points out that gabapentin is not classified as a<\/span> nephrotoxin<\/span><\/a> (a medication that can damage the kidneys). However, he notes, there are<\/span> rare reports of gabapentin causing rhabdomyolysis<\/span><\/a>, which is when skeletal muscle becomes damaged and breaks down rapidly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA possible consequence of that is damage to the kidneys as they try to filter out the harmful byproducts of muscle breakdown,\u201d Dr. Emmel describes. \u201cAgain, this is rare, but this should be monitored for in kidney disease patients especially since they often receive inappropriately high doses of gabapentin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

All of this is why dosing of gabapentin is of utmost importance for people with kidney disease, says<\/span> Andrew Youssouf, MD<\/span><\/a>, who is double board-certified in addiction medicine and emergency medicine and is the medical director of Ikon Recovery. \u201cTo prevent toxicity and manage these risks, lower doses of gabapentin are typically prescribed for patients with kidney disease,\u201d he says. \u201cThe specific dosage depends on the extent of kidney impairment, ensuring that it’s tailored to each patient’s unique needs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are a kidney disease patient taking gabapentin, your physician will also closely monitor your blood levels to ensure the drug’s safety and effectiveness, says Dr. Youssouf. \u201cThis personalized approach helps cater to each patient’s unique health profile, optimizing the benefits of gabapentin while mitigating potential complications,\u201d he explains.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Safe gabapentin dosages for people with kidney problems\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

For healthy patients,<\/span> the dose of gabapentin<\/span><\/a> prescribed depends on your age and which condition the medication is treating. For instance, in adults and children 12 and over, the<\/span> gabapentin dose for treating seizures<\/span><\/a> is 300-600 mg, taken three times a day. The dosing is similar for<\/span> postherpetic neuralgia<\/span><\/a>, but with a dosing schedule that builds up over time. It\u2019s usually recommended that people begin with 300 mg on day one, and gradually increase to 300 mg three times a day, and then up to 600 mg three times a day.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are no appropriate studies or recommendations on what the dosing of gabapentin should be for people with kidney disease or kidney issues. That\u2019s because it generally varies from one individual to another. \u201cThe safe dose of gabapentin for someone with kidney disease really depends on how well your kidneys are functioning,\u201d Dr. Ormond explains. \u201cDoctors typically start with a lower dose and make adjustments based on your kidney health.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Emmel agrees and says that dosing for gabapentin among kidney patients depends on kidney function. He explains that this is usually measured via <\/span>creatinine clearance<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> Creatinine clearance<\/span><\/a> is a blood test physicians use to test the ability kidneys to filter creatine, and is a test that can determine your overall kidney health.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs an example, a patient with a creatinine clearance of 15 ml\/min is at the most advanced stage of kidney disease and possibly close to needing to be placed on dialysis,\u201d Dr. Emmel describes. \u201cThe maximum recommended dose for this patient would be 300 mg per day, which is only 1\/3rd of the starting dose for a patient without kidney disease.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Alternatives to gabapentin<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you have underlying kidney issues, you may be looking for an alternative medication that will provide some of the same benefits as gabapentin, without the risks to your kidneys. What to take as an alternative depends on what conditions you are looking to treat, as well as other medical conditions you live with. All decisions about medications should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are a few alternatives medications that may be better suited for individuals with kidney issues, according to Dr. Ormond. \u201cMedications like certain<\/span> antidepressants <\/span><\/a>or topical treatments can effectively manage nerve pain without posing as much risk to kidney function,\u201d\u00a0 he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Emmels suggests that other drugs to consider include other<\/span> anti-seizure medications <\/span><\/a>than gabapentin. \u201cOne example is carbamazepine, which unlike gabapentin, does not need to be adjusted in kidney disease,\u201dhe says. At the same time, <\/span>carbamazepine<\/span><\/a> \u201chas many potential side effects and interactions that need to be considered,\u201d he notes.<\/span> Some unwanted effects of <\/span>carbamazepine<\/span><\/a> include cognitive changes, dizziness, fatigue, speech issues, uncontrollable shaking, dry mouth, constipation, and walking and coordination problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are also non-medication options to consider as alternatives to gabapentin. \u201cNon-pharmacological treatments for nerve pain can include physical therapy, acupuncture, and cognitive-behavioral therapy,\u201d says Dr. Mandal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people find relief through lifestyle modifications, she says. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n