---
title: "Effects of Gabapentin and Pregabalin on Calcium Homeostasis:…"
description: "Gabapentin and pregabalin relieve nerve pain by blocking the α2δ1 calcium-channel subunit — but that same subunit matters in bone, muscle and cartilage,…"
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/gabapentinoid_msk_calcium.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/gabapentinoid_msk_calcium.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/gabapentinoid_msk_calcium.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "gabapentinoid_msk_calcium"
journal: "Current Osteoporosis Reports"
year: 2022
pmid: "36149592"
doi: "10.1007/s11914-022-00750-x"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Effects of Gabapentin and Pregabalin on Calcium Homeostasis: Implications for Physical Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Tissues

[Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Effects of Gabapentin and Pregabalin on Calcium…

**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/gabapentinoid_msk_calcium.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/gabapentinoid_msk_calcium

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Current Osteoporosis Reports |
| Year | 2022 |
| PMID | [36149592](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36149592/) |
| DOI | [10.1007/s11914-022-00750-x](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-022-00750-x) |
| Study key | gabapentinoid_msk_calcium |

## Takeaway

Gabapentin and pregabalin relieve nerve pain by blocking the α2δ1 calcium-channel subunit — but that same subunit matters in bone, muscle and cartilage, so long-term use is linked to worse musculoskeletal outcomes and higher fracture risk: a key consideration in physiatry and rehab.

## The question

How do the nerve-pain drugs gabapentin and pregabalin affect bone, muscle and cartilage — and what does that mean for physical rehabilitation?

## Hypothesis

Because gabapentinoids act on the α2δ1 calcium-channel subunit that is also expressed in musculoskeletal tissues, long-term use may disrupt the calcium-mediated signaling important for skeletal formation, mechanosensation and tissue repair.

## Methods

A narrative review of the mechanism of action of gabapentinoids and the evidence on how chronic treatment affects the musculoskeletal system.

## Results

Gabapentin (GBP) and pregabalin (PGB), originally antiepileptics and now first-line for neuropathic pain (and often prescribed off-label for migraine and back pain), produce analgesia by selectively binding the α2δ1 auxiliary subunit of voltage-sensitive calcium channels and inhibiting channel function. The same α2δ1 subunit is expressed in bone, muscle and cartilage, where it has important roles in skeletal formation, mechanosensation and normal tissue function and repair. Long-term gabapentinoid use is associated with detrimental musculoskeletal outcomes, including increased fracture risk.

## Conclusion

Clinicians guiding rehabilitation should weigh the potential musculoskeletal complications of chronic gabapentinoid use, since these drugs may interfere with the calcium signaling that bone, muscle and cartilage rely on to adapt and heal.

## Limitations

Much of the mechanistic evidence comes from preclinical and tissue-level studies; the authors call for more research to define the clinical magnitude of the musculoskeletal risk.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> Long-term use of gabapentinoids is associated with detrimental musculoskeletal outcomes, including increased fracture risk. Understanding potential complications is essential for clinicians to guide appropriate treatments.

## Reference

1. **Effects of Gabapentin and Pregabalin on Calcium Homeostasis: Implications for Physical Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Tissues**
   Current Osteoporosis Reports 2022 · [PMID 36149592](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36149592/) · [DOI 10.1007/s11914-022-00750-x](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-022-00750-x)

   > Long-term use of gabapentinoids is associated with detrimental musculoskeletal outcomes, including increased fracture risk. Understanding potential complications is essential for clinicians to guide appropriate treatments.

## Structured data

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/gabapentinoid_msk_calcium.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/gabapentinoid_msk_calcium.html","name":"Effects of Gabapentin and Pregabalin on Calcium Homeostasis: Implications for Physical Rehabilitation of…","description":"Gabapentin and pregabalin relieve nerve pain by blocking the α2δ1 calcium-channel subunit — but that same subunit matters in bone, muscle and cartilage,…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/gabapentinoid_msk_calcium.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Effects of Gabapentin and Pregabalin on Calcium…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/gabapentinoid_msk_calcium.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/gabapentinoid_msk_calcium.html#study","name":"Effects of Gabapentin and Pregabalin on Calcium Homeostasis: Implications for Physical Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Tissues","headline":"Effects of Gabapentin and Pregabalin on Calcium Homeostasis: Implications for Physical Rehabilitation of…","datePublished":"2022","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Current Osteoporosis Reports"},"identifier":"PMID:36149592","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36149592/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-022-00750-x","abstract":"Gabapentin and pregabalin relieve nerve pain by blocking the α2δ1 calcium-channel subunit — but that same subunit matters in bone, muscle and cartilage, so long-term use is linked to worse musculoskeletal outcomes and higher fracture risk: a key consideration in physiatry and rehab."}]}
```

## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).