Hi, Gabapentin is mainly used for controlling neuropathic pain, that is pain in the inflamed nerves due to herniated disc or any sort of compression that generally radiated down the legs and is sharp shooting in nature. There is also associated numbness. So in patients with back pain with nerve compression, diabetic patients with neuropathy it has benefits. It is not useful if you are taking it only for back pain per se. I would advise against increasing the dose of gabapentin for just back pain alone. Its better to do lifestyle modification like avoiding bending forwards or lifting weights and doing regular back strengthening physiotherapy exercises to start with and to get further evaluated with scans and imaging after a proper physical checkup by doctor in case if the pain persists and does not improve at all. There is no lasting effect of gabapentin on the kidneys. Again there are specific danger signs associated with back pain like loss of weight or appetite, pain radiating along the legs, very young or very old age, fever, paralysis of any type, loss of bowel and bladder control that should make you get a consultation done as soon as possible. If you are not having any of these then nothing to worry. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Raunak, Orthopaedic Surgeon