Can Gabapentin Cause Tendonitis?

Posted on Mon, 4 Sep 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 4 Sep 2017 Answered on

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 65 years old, have insomnia (lifelong), and see sleep specialist. He added gabapentin to my Restoril, because I developed a tolerance to the Restoril after taking it for many years. The gabapentin blocks whatever receptor inhibits the Restoril. The gabapentin works, and I sleep well. (I don't want to change the Restoril, it has been effective and easy to tolerate with no side effects or morning drowsiness.) Since being on the gabapentin, I have developed frequent tendonitis, in varying body parts.....elbow, knee, hand, now shoulder. I exercise daily, so I limit my use of whatever area is bothering me at that time. So the tendonitis always resolves after a few weeks, but this slows me down continually. I take a number of supplements also, but nothing new. So could it be the gabapentin causing the frequent tendonitis? And if so, why? (I am a retired RN, so you can talk in medical terms.)

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Gabapentin is helpful in joint pain.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking

Gabapentin is a good analgesic drug which is also used off label for anxiety, add on drug for insomnia etc. In my experience I haven't seen any association of tendonitis and use of Gabapentin. I also could not find any studies showing tendonitis associated with Gabapentin use.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad