Gabapentin Treatment Resulting in New-Onset Stuttering: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

This case describes a 62-year-old male with chronic low back and leg pain in the setting of worsening degenerative disk disease and lumbar spondylosis. Gabapentin is FDA approved for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia and as an adjunctive therapy for partial onset seizures, but is commonly used off-label for neuropathic pain. The patient was treated with three doses of gabapentin 300mg and a total of 44mg of methylprednisolone over a two-day period. The patient had previously tolerated methylprednisolone with no side effects and was not receiving any other acutely prescribed medications. The patient took ibuprofen chronically as needed for the pain. Subsequently, the patient acquired newonset stuttering which resolved with gabapentin discontinuation. A CT of the brain performed subsequently showed no acute changes. A neurological and physical examination following showed no changes except for the stuttering. This was the first time the patient had taken gabapentin. To the best knowledge of the researchers, this is only the second reported case of stuttering induced by gabapentin. This case report seeks to educate physicians on a possible side effect of gabapentin, a commonly used medication.