The Potential for Somnambulism Associated with Gabapentin

Somnambulism, or sleepwalking, is a parasomnia occurring during Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep. It is defined as complex behaviors during slow-wave (or deep) sleep, with the person often having no recollection of these events upon waking.1 It is associated with several medications, including sedative-hypnotics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, lithium, stimulants, antihistamines, and anticonvulsants.2-9 Other risk factors include a history of sleepwalking in a first-degree relative, sleep-disordered breathing, restless leg syndrome, separation anxiety, or events that increase deep sleep, such as evening exercise, sleep deprivation, or fever.10-13 Benzodiazepines are recommended for treating somnambulism, despite a lack of controlled trials.14 Gabapentin is often prescribed for seizures, neuropathic pain, or anxiety. Although there are no reports of somnambulism associated with gabapentin, it is hypothesized that gabapentin may cause somnambulism, given its effect on sleep architecture and anecdotal reports.