Update (June 8, 2026): Gabapentin + Ciclosporin in Feline Atopic Skin Syndrome — New RCT

TL;DR

A 2025 prospective, blinded, placebo-controlled study finds that gabapentin reduces lesion scores across all treatment groups in cats with feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS) — including cats receiving ciclosporin, where it was required to achieve a significant effect — suggesting a central sensitization component to feline pruritus that may be addressable adjunctively.

What just dropped

• Morency J et al. (2025, Vet Dermatol) — prospective, blinded, placebo-controlled study in 26 cats with naturally acquired FASS (PMID 40676769, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40676769/)
• Gabapentin decreased the Feline Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (FeDESI) across all treatment groups (P < 0.001), with the highest incidence rate ratio (2.59) compared to placebo
• Prednisolone alone produced a significant FeDESI improvement; ciclosporin required the addition of gabapentin to reach significance (P < 0.034)
• FeDESI improvements were associated with statistically significant decreases in actimetry-assessed motor activity, providing an objective correlate of reduced itch behavior
• Design: Three groups (prednisolone, ciclosporin, or placebo) administered at published protocol doses daily for 5 weeks, then combined with gabapentin at the published protocol dose for a further 3 weeks; FeDESI assessed at baseline, W2, W4, W7

Context

Gabapentin's mechanism in feline pruritus relates to central sensitization: gabapentin blocks alpha-2-delta calcium channel subunits, reducing the central amplification of peripheral itch signals in a manner analogous to its role in neuropathic pain. This is distinct from the peripheral immunologic mechanisms targeted by cyclosporine or corticosteroids. The Morency 2025 study is the first to quantify this combination effect in a controlled design with actimetric validation.

The finding that ciclosporin required gabapentin to achieve significance — while prednisolone alone did not — may reflect differences in the speed of onset between these immunosuppressants or a ceiling effect in ciclosporin's peripheral action that makes central adjunctive treatment more impactful. The study was conducted in a laboratory colony, which limits generalizability to diverse client-owned cat populations, but the controlled design and objective actimetry strengthen the causal interpretation.

What this changes in gabapentin-feline-previsit-anxiety (https://www.thevoyage.ai/forvets/knowledge/gabapentin-feline-previsit-anxiety)

The gabapentin evergreen page focuses on pre-visit anxiolysis. The Morency 2025 paper broadens the clinical evidence for gabapentin in cats into dermatology — an indication distinct from sedation/anxiolysis and relevant to a different clinical context. Clinicians managing FASS who already use gabapentin for stress reduction have a reason to consider whether dermatologic benefit accompanies its use. The Atopica for Cats label (https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=47f70173-a1d9-4156-9a7f-0f296e5dd64b) confirms that ciclosporin is approved for the allergic dermatitis spectrum that includes FASS manifestations, providing the regulatory context for the combination studied.

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Open Voyage Clinical Desk: https://www.thevoyage.ai/forvets/ask?context=update-2026-06-08-gabapentin-ciclosporin-feline-atopic

References

1. Morency J, Troncy E, Delsart A, et al. Effect of Gabapentin Administered With Prednisolone, Ciclosporin or a Placebo on Clinical Outcomes and Motor Activity in Cats With Atopic Skin Syndrome: A Prospective, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study. Vet Dermatol. 2025;36(6):814-824. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40676769/
2. Atopica for Cats (cyclosporine oral solution) drug label. DailyMed. Elanco US Inc. NADA. Updated January 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=47f70173-a1d9-4156-9a7f-0f296e5dd64b

Related reads

• Gabapentin for Pre-Visit Feline Anxiety: Evidence and Clinical Use
• Cyclosporine (Atopica for Cats) for Feline Allergic Dermatitis: Efficacy and Safety