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
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
15 Answers
WildcatVet
7 Feb 2023
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.
Chiquitabonita
7 Feb 2023
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?
Ctgrl
15 Feb 2022
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.
Mk8nn8dy
28 Oct 2021
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
sara12345
10 Oct 2021
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.
soldierguy2020
9 Oct 2021
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 .
masso
5 Jan 2021
It is considered a common side effect which affects 1% to 10% of patients being treated with Gabapentin.
Tiggerific
5 Jan 2021
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.
AuntyMimi
28 Nov 2020
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
bunnyraggit
20 March 2020
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.
Warren Porter
20 March 2020
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.
When your stool floats it means it has a lot of fat in it. It means your body is not absorbing the fat. After all of my surgeries and pain medications that caused me to go from 183lbs and muscular at 5'5" to a WHOPPING 117lbs, now back up to 142lbs(and gaining), is not something I can afford right now. Just the gas in my stomach and intestinal tract rumbles/growls so loud and long as it moves around is heard by those near me causing them to think I am passing gas. I have to tell them it is just my stomach growling and that I'm hungry so they don't know I'm full of gas and think I'm nasty. I don't think it's the cutest thing in the world because passing gas like that with that volume of gas coming out is blowing fecal bacteria all through the air which is pretty nasty. You take one drug to help one thing, and in return causes numerous problems and possibly irreversible, and/or irreparable problems in other areas that you then need to take another medication(Gas-Ex) to help counteract those side effects of the medication you're taking to help. I simply cannot describe the volume of gas in one passing and the frequency in which I am passing it. I don't know why that gas or flatulence is not listed on the side effects as I know four people besides myself that are taking this medication and all report moderate to severe flatulence! The gas is so frequent, and in such volume that I now have my first hemorrhoid from pushing it out and did not lift anything heavy or strain pushing my stool out. I had a normal morning bowel movement and that afternoon I noticed a pain or burning around my exit. I thought it was just stomach acid or something that had burned my exit doorbut found out from taking a photo of my own back door that it was a massive and I do mean massive hemorrhoid. It may sound funny but I can promise you it is not. I'm not one to have anything touching or rubbing on my exit which I am now fumbling around with four or five times a day cleaning my trap door and rubbing preparation h on myself. Yes I am using a q-tip to do it but it is disgusting and will now probably have to see a doctor and possibly a surgeon for medical attention. This medication also causes major problems with brain synapses and other issues which I advise checking into before taking this medication. Brain synapses is the reforming or regrowth of nerve endings in your brain which this medication can destroy and not allow your nerve endings to regenerate themselves in your brain. Think long and hard before taking any medication!
gathrigh
27 Feb 2020
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.
442olds
2 Jan 2020
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.
It might be of interest that psychiatrists could not even pay their professional dues and were going broke until PRESTO big Pharma gave them SSRI meds with inadequate research. Psychiatrists used to actually TALK to their patients. Now, they are prescribers and just keep you on SSRI meds for YEARS so they don't have to deal with the horrors of their patients detoxing from them. They will actually tell you that there is no detox from them. It is horrible and some of the side effects are permanent. I made the mistake of going to one of these so called doctors for anxiety. That is all, just a bit of anxiety. For that, I was put into a chemical lobotomy by a psychiatrist and have never been able to sleep for years now. Do your research before you drag yourself or a loved one to one of these dangerous people.
Elsie1234
3 Jan 2020
If you don't mind me asking?How much do you take for your anxiety?
Violetderay
26 Jan 2019
Thank goodness I googled this question! Glad to know I am not alone. This "Gabagas" is nasty.
Inactive
20 Dec 2011
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
beano30ish
15 Dec 2014
I have been a one man brass band since starting this medication which I am taking for Diabetic Neuropathy.
Shelleydawn2929
13 Jan 2017
I just seen this also it was posted several years ago however yes it causes bowel gas
Tks
5 April 2017
Yes! I have the worst, smelliest has since I began taking gabapentin for migraines. Awful.
Suzy3364
25 July 2017
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...
Veecavness
22 Aug 2017
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
Tks
22 Aug 2017
For me, the gas lasted for the first 3-4 months, then went away. Hopefully it isn't permanent for you!
leahhertzel
23 Nov 2017
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.
Enchantra
14 Dec 2017
I’m “crop dusting” all day long since taking this med. let’s call it “GABA gas”. Wicked nasty
Think again
27 Feb 2018
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.
Noyb1
4 June 2018
Yes! Major gas since starting this drug. Ever since i began taking it i have had cramping and gas especially after eating. Very annoying.
Dashcargil
21 Aug 2018
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.
Sanfranciscojim1
22 Sep 2018
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
Laf24
25 Oct 2018
I began Neurontin 3 days ago and the flatulance is awful! I know it is from this medication.
442olds
18 Feb 2020
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.
Keep in mind that before SSRI medications teamed up with doctors, many psychiatrists could not even pay their professional dues and were forced to actually listen to patients. Therapy by family social workers and others were taking their business away from them. Bingo, big greedy pharma came out with SSRIs and they had a new way to rake in the patients. And, of course it has taken twenty years for the long term side effects to be published in the information to patients. These side effects are many times permanent disabilities, but you will not find a doctor to admit that. I would say do research before you listen to any doctor. The advice, check with your doctor can be the most dangerous thing you can do. Actually the pharmacy professionals obtain their degrees by studying drugs, contradiction of drugs, and side effects for their entire term of study. Doctors study maybe six weeks and then just rely on the Big Pharma reps to tell them untruths about the drugs they are selling. Think about it. It is about money and doctors expect to live in luxury more and more. Thus, to pay for their ever increasing lifestyle, they have to be prescribers of these medicines.
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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