BMJ

Gabapentinoids and self-harm: A complex interaction

May 6, 2025

Study details: This population-based self-controlled case series study utilized the U.K. Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum database, linked to Hospital Episode Statistics and Office for National Statistics databases. It included 10,002 adults (aged ≥18 years) with gabapentinoid prescriptions and an incident event of self-harm between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2020.

Results: The incidence rate of self-harm per 100 person-years was 16.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.65 - 16.92) in the 90 days before treatment, 9.66 (CI, 9.62 - 9.70) during treatment, 29.60 (CI, 29.09 - 30.11) in the 14 days after treatment, and 6.75 (CI, 6.74 - 6.77) in the reference period. The adjusted incidence rate ratio for self-harm was 1.69 (95% CI, 1.55 - 1.85) before treatment, 1.06 (CI, 0.98 - 1.13) during treatment, and 3.02 (CI, 2.53 - 3.60) within 14 days after treatment cessation.

Clinical impact: The findings don't support a direct effect of gabapentinoid treatment on self-harm but highlight the need for close patient monitoring of self-harm throughout the gabapentinoid treatment trajectory.

Source:

Yuen ASC, et al. (2025, April 30). BMJ. Use of gabapentinoid treatment and the risk of self-harm: population based self-controlled case series study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40306941/