I started taking gabapentin about 2 months ago for a mild stroke. Every since taking this drug I have stomach cramps and flatulence like no one would believe.
Does gabapentin cause flatulence?
Question posted by drsk on 19 Dec 2011
Last updated on 7 February 2023 by WildcatVet
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15 Answers
From the literature here on Drugs.com:
"Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10% of users): Diarrhea, dry mouth or throat, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, dental abnormalities, gingivitis, abdominal pain, flatulence"
Any side effects that last more than three weeks or so after starting a medication should be reported to your doctor for professional advice.
I've been farting 2 days non stop. Plus, some burps. Yogurt helped last night. Today, I tried kraut. I'll have to ask GMA Google what to eat to stop farting. Plus today, I've got stomach gurgling & bloating. I'm wondering about an enema, if that would help. Maybe a laxative?
I've been on Gaba for about 9 months for low back pain that causes me lots of discomfort when lying flat in bed, which in turn affects my sleep. Since starting Gaba I've definitely noticed a huge increase in the amount of gas I have on a daily basis, and the smell is sickening, like nothing that ever came out of me before being on Gaba. The good thing is, since being on Gaba I sleep through the night, so I guess I'll have to deal with the increased disgusting toots.
Omg , I only started this for nerve pain in my back that has my right leg numb, toes tingling BUT the gas is by far the worst ever!!! I’m in excruciating pain in my abdomen and haven’t eaten since yesterday, no relief and to painful to keep taking this pill. I can hardly work either because I’m so tired…. I can fall sound asleep at the drop of a dime and out for hours….confusion is another big issue….stopping this pill.now
I'm wondering why everyone is taking gabapentin. Looking it up it says, Gabapentin is used with other medications to prevent and control seizures. It is also used to relieve nerve pain following shingles (a painful rash due to herpes zoster infection) in adults. But it sounds like there are other reasons for people taking it.
I have started taking gabapentin about a week ago and I have so much gas from it, it's not always smelly but it is definitely a lot more then I have ever had in the past. I have not had any stomach cramping or anything just flatulence .
It is considered a common side effect which affects 1% to 10% of patients being treated with Gabapentin.
I completely believe it does. I haven’t necessarily noticed an increase in gas but the smell is unlike anything I’ve ever had in my life. And it’s every single time so I know it’s not food related. It began within a month of me starting the gabapentin almost 7 months ago. It’s so embarrassing.
Yes yes yes gabapentin wind so glad I have found you gassey people. My days the wind is relentless not always smelly but long loud and very noisy. NOBODY in the professional field recognizes this as a side effect so hopefully it will be soon just to warn people
sorry, i have never taken that so I do not know. i can say that since my stroke my digestive system is not right in various ways. i am partially paralyzed on one side so I put it down to that.
OMG!!! Yes, it can and does cause gas in a unbelievable way. I have only had gas at normal times like any other human being after eating beans or salads or things that do cause gas naturally, BUT I have gas that is absolutely unbelievable and it is a 24/7 problem. The gas you pass is so large, loud, and long per passing that it is unbelievable. It is anywhere from every few seconds to a few minutes. Each passing is incredibly long and loud. Not necessarily accompanied by a horrible smell, but just incredible amounts of air or gas coming out of your backside! I have never seen anything like this in my life and I could eat a whole can of Bush's baked beans and never ever pass this much gas. I am passing as much gas in 30 minutes equal to what an entire can of beans would cause in a 24-hour period. It is 24/7. I cannot describe how much gas is being created and how often I am passing it. I have also noticed that my stool is floating which means I am not absorbing weight.
I have been on Gabapentin for a month and am experiencing horrible gas, both in volume and smell. I am taking it for sciatic nerve relief. No relief from gas, however.
If gabapentin helps with more serious problems, then this may not be so important. But, I am almost 70 years old and have never had a terrible gas problem. I am taking Gabapentin for anxiety. But, I will tell you that not having the ability to ride in a car with friends to the movies, visit friends, invite friends over, or go out to dinner as before is depressing. I have gas that is different than anything I have ever experienced in my almost 70 years on the planet. This drug is popular now because patients taking SSRI medications are finding out the horrific side effects, some permanent, that are an issue now. Doctors kept their patients on SSRI meds for years because they did not have, or didn't want to deal with these side effects of detoxing from them. Thus, they can still pay their professional dues because they can prescribe off label Gabapentin and whatever else they can get away with drugging their patients with.
If you don't mind me asking?How much do you take for your anxiety?
Thank goodness I googled this question! Glad to know I am not alone. This "Gabagas" is nasty.
Hello drsk, I haven't ever heard of ayone complaining of gas problems with this drug, but that doesn't exclude the fact the you are having it. It specifically is not listed as a side effect, but you could be developing a problem. Have you tried taking Gas-X or any other type of anti gas medication? I am going to give a the site to click on where you can read about the side effects etc... Maybe this will help you decide if you should talk to you doctor about your problem. My husband takes gabepentin, but he tends to be gassy anyway, so I can't use him as a comparison. I wish you the best...
https://www.drugs.com/gabapentin.html
I have been a one man brass band since starting this medication which I am taking for Diabetic Neuropathy.
I just seen this also it was posted several years ago however yes it causes bowel gas
Yes! I have the worst, smelliest has since I began taking gabapentin for migraines. Awful.
As have I... awful, smelly, can't even blame it on the dog smell. Glad to know I am not alone, but happy to not be in the same room with anyone, and just typing from my kitchen table...
I started gabapintin 2 months ago and the gas is really bad! With pain too, I have never had such smelly gas like this before so I'm calling it the gabapintin gas
For me, the gas lasted for the first 3-4 months, then went away. Hopefully it isn't permanent for you!
I'll add my 2 cents as well. I only take it at night to help with my insomnia and every night I get very odoriferous gas. I've been taking it for several months and so far it hasn't relented. It's very odd that it is not listed as a side effect.
I’m “crop dusting” all day long since taking this med. let’s call it “GABA gas”. Wicked nasty
Excessive, Excessive Gas Beyond belief with gabapentin is absolutely a side effect. Approximately, 45 minutes after taking the medication rumbling, cramping and excessive gas starts. This Gasly side effect will continues for six hours. If I do not take the gabapentin it completely stops.
Yes! Major gas since starting this drug. Ever since i began taking it i have had cramping and gas especially after eating. Very annoying.
I have been very concerned with the gas problem since taking Gabapentin. So glad to hear it is a common problem! I thought I might have to schedule a doctor’s appointment. Thanks to all of you for sharing... now I’m not worried. Just know it will go away when I get off the meds.
I started taking Gaba many months ago and not only foul smelling gas but loose stools all the time. I had chronic constipation before so the Gaba has helped in two ways. With chronic tension headaches and constipation. I'm very glad to hear that this stopped for some people. I'm wondering if this medication might be a colon cleanser of some kind. But the thought occurred to me that maybe it destroys the good bacteria? Taking acidolphilis capsules. thanks
I began Neurontin 3 days ago and the flatulance is awful! I know it is from this medication.
I was given gabapentin for anxiety. I am not sure it did much for anxiety, but it caused anxiety because I could not go out to the movies, ride in a car with others, use a friend's bathroom, or be next to another human being due to terrible gas and smelly gas. When I stopped the drug, I returned to normal bowel functions. It also gave me a puffed up belly. Doctors everywhere are prescribing this med off label for everything you can think of. This is because there are no studies of side effects and the medical establishment is going to the bank on this drug. Since they finally started having to listen to the severe problems caused by the SSRI antidepressants, that they went to the bank on for years, they have turned to gabapentin to keep the scripts going out and keeping them in business. No one has a study of the real effects of gabapentin, thus it is the new gold mine for the greedy.
Related topics
ischemic stroke, gabapentin, cramp
Further information
- Gabapentin uses and safety info
- Gabapentin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Gabapentin (detailed)
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