OBJECTIVES:  Pregabalin and gabapentin are the mainstay oral treatment for peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP). Iatrogenic cognitive impairment is generally considered to be reversible once consumption of central nervous system (CNS) active medications such as pregabalin and gabapentin is stopped. There is evidence to suggest the use of CNS active drugs could be associated with long-term, more detrimental adverse events including dementia, pneumonia and unintentional falls. However, it is unknown if these long-term outcomes are associated with pregabalin and gabapentin. This systematic review examined whether there is a correlation between treatment with pregabalin and gabapentin and the onset of these adverse events. METHODS:  A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE. Keywords included combinations of pregabalin, gabapentin, pneumonia, dementia and falls. The inclusion criteria for studies were: 1) written/published in English; 2) human studies; 3) publication year to reflect marketing authorization year for pregabalin (2004-present) and gabapentin (1993-present). Articles were reviewed for inclusion by an independent reviewer and 5% were cross examined by a second independent reviewer. A narrative synthesis of results using thematic content analysis was conducted. RESULTS:  A total of eight studies reporting a correlation of adverse events and pregabalin or gabapentin were included; pneumonia (2), dementia (1) and falls (5). Study designs included case report, randomised controlled trials (RCT), pilot-RCT, retrospective toxicity and sequence symmetry analysis. Renal dysfunction and drug-drug interactions as a cause for increased risk of adverse events were two major themes identified from thematic analysis. CONCLUSIONS:  In view of low quality and extensive heterogeneity between studies, firm conclusions could not be reached. Longitudinal database or prospective studies may help to determine the correlation between pregabalin and gabapentin and the onset of dementia, pneumonia and unintentional falls, especially in subgroups with renal dysfunction.