Acquired platelet defect associated with gabapentin treatment: a case-report

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Hematology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Gabapentin is a widely prescribed anticonvulsant and analgesic.
• It is commonly used for neuropathic pain management.
• Platelet function disorders are rare side effects of gabapentin.

Observation:

• A 44-year-old woman developed mucocutaneous bleeding.
• The bleeding began one month after starting gabapentin.
• She had no prior history of bleeding disorders.

Findings:

• Platelet aggregation studies revealed abnormalities.
• Specifically, there was impaired response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen.
• No aggregation occurred with arachidonic acid and epinephrine.

Implications:

• This case suggests gabapentin can induce platelet dysfunction.
• Discontinuation of gabapentin led to normalization of platelet function and cessation of bleeding.
• Clinicians should monitor for bleeding risks in patients on gabapentin.