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

Abstract

Gabapentin, a structural analog of gamma-aminobutyric acid, is used to treat peripheral neuropathic pain. Here we report the first case of platelet function disorder associated with gabapentin treatment in a 44-year-old woman without a history of bleeding. She presented with mucocutaneous bleeding approximately 1 month after initiation of gabapentin and platelet function tests showed no aggregation to arachidonic acid and epinephrine, a defective response to ADP and a slightly decreased response to collagen. Gabapentin's imputability was supported by the fact that all platelet functions were normalized 6 days after drug discontinuation, with the simultaneous disappearance of bleedings.

Keywords: Bleeding; gabapentin; platelet defect.