Open AccessGabapentin-induced myositis in a patient with spinal cord injury – a case report
Author(s) -
Sabyasachi Ghosh,
Sarafdheen Villan,
Wafa Al Yazeedi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
qatar medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2227-0426
pISSN - 0253-8253
DOI - 10.5339/qmj.2020.30
Subject(s) - gabapentin , medicine , rhabdomyolysis , neuropathic pain , myositis , myopathy , anesthesia , creatine kinase , spinal cord injury , myalgia , adverse effect , spinal cord , pathology , alternative medicine , psychiatry
Myositis and rhabdomyolysis are the same forms of myopathy, with rhabdomyolysis being a more severe form of myopathy. Gabapentin is frequently used in patients with spinal cord injury for neuropathic pain. We report a case of probable gabapentin-induced myositis in a patient with spinal cord injury who was on an increasing dose of gabapentin. This paraplegic patient was receiving an increasing dose of gabapentin for neuropathic pain in the lower limbs. Gabapentin-induced myositis was diagnosed by a combination of new-onset generalized body pain with tenderness, an increase in creatine kinase, elevated myoglobin levels, and a score of 6 on the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale. Withdrawal of the gabapentin resolved the symptoms completely. Blood parameters became normal within two weeks. We suggest that myopathy, in the form of myositis, should be recognized as a potential side effect of gabapentin in the literature.