Health chiefs in the UK have issued a defect notification for several batches of the oral liquid formulation of gabapentin, a common medication used to treat nerve pain and epilepsy. Pharmaceutical company Relonchem manufactures the affected drug, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has alerted patients and medical professionals to the presence of 'crystals' in some bottles.
Officials are particularly concerned that these crystals could obstruct feeding tubes in patients who receive the medication through such devices. The MHRA stated that while the crystals do not affect the drug's potency, healthcare providers should inspect bottles before dispensing and consider alternative formulations for patients using feeding tubes.
The affected batches are all 150ml pack sizes. These include batches 09E1 and 11E1, initially distributed on November 12, 2025, with an expiry date of October 1, 2026. Further affected batches are 12E1 and 13E1, distributed from January 2, 2026, expiring December 1, 2026; batch 14E1, distributed January 20, 2026, expiring December 1, 2026; batch 19F1, distributed April 8, 2026, expiring March 1, 2027; and batch 21F1, distributed May 12, 2026, expiring April 1, 2027. The issue came to light following a customer complaint.
Despite the presence of crystals, a full recall has not been initiated as the medication is deemed critical for supply. Manufacturer Relonchem maintains that the affected batches remain safe for patient use. Patients who discover crystals in their gabapentin bottles are advised to consult a healthcare professional but should not discontinue the medication unless directed by their doctor. Suddenly stopping gabapentin can lead to a resurgence of seizures in epilepsy patients or a loss of pain control for those using it for pain management.
Gabapentin is part of a class of drugs known as gabapentinoids, commonly used for nerve pain, with pregabalin being the other main drug in this class. Over 4.5 million people in England receive a gabapentinoid prescription annually. While commonly known by the brand name Neurontin in the UK, it is also available in generic forms from various manufacturers. The oral liquid solution is an option for patients who have difficulty swallowing solid forms of the medication.
Patients are instructed to store the drug at room temperature, between 15°C and 25°C, and to avoid refrigerating or freezing it. Anyone experiencing adverse reactions or with concerns about their medication should seek medical attention and consider reporting suspected adverse reactions through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. The MHRA advises contacting a pharmacist for initial concerns.