Brand name
- Neurontin®
Drug Class
- Antiepileptic Agent
Preparations
- Capsules 100 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg
- Tablets 600 mg and 800 mg
Indications
- Treatment of neuropathic pain
- Treatment of Post Herpetic Neuralgia
- treatment of Insomnia
- treatment of anxiety
Pharmacology
Mechanism of action:
- Gabapentin readily enters the brain and prevents seizures in a number of animal models of epilepsy.
- Gabapentin is structurally related to the neurotransmitter GABA (gammaaminobutyric acid), but does not possess affinity for either GABAA or GABAB receptor.
- Gabapentin binds with high affinity to the α2-δ (alpha-2-delta) subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels.
- Broad panel screening suggests it does not bind to other neurotransmitter receptors of the brain and does not interact with sodium channels
Metabolism
- Gabapentin is not metabolized to a significant extent in humans.
- Gabapentin does not induce or inhibit hepatic mixed function oxidase enzymes responsible for drug metabolism and does not interfere with the metabolism of commonly coadministered antiepileptic drugs.
Dosing
Missed dose:
- If a dose is missed, the next one should be taken as soon as possible, however, if it is within 4 hours of the next dose, the missed dose is not to be taken and the patient should return to the regular dosing schedule.
Drug Interactions
Drugs that increase gabapentin level:
- Opioids and Naproxen
Drugs that decrease gabapentin level:
- Antacids
Adverse Effects
The most common adverse reactions observed are:
- somnolence
- ataxia
- fatigue
- nystagmus
- peripheral edema
- coordination abnormal
- depression
- myalgia
- hypertension
- anorexia
- flatulence
- gingivitis
- arthralgia
- vertigo
- hyperkinesia
- paresthesia
- decreased or absent reflexes, increased reflexes
- anxiety
- hostility
- alopecia
- eczema
- dry skin
- increased sweating
- abnormal vision
- Patients should be advised to refrain from activities requiring mental alertness or physical coordination until they are stabilized
Precautions
Discontinuation of treatment:
- As with other anticonvulsant agents, abrupt withdrawal is not recommended because of the possibility of increased seizure frequency. There have been post-marketing reports of adverse events such as anxiety, insomnia, nausea, pain and sweating following abrupt discontinuation of treatment.
Concomitant use with opioids:
- Concomitant use of opioids with gabapentin has been associated with sedation, somnolence, loss of consciousness as well as serious and sometimes fatal cases of respiratory depression.
- Patients with low respiratory function, renal or hepatic impairment and the elderly are at higher risk of experiencing severe adverse effects associated with concomitant use.
- Gabapentin concentrations may increase in patients receiving concomitant opioids.
Suicidal Ideation:
- Suicidal ideation and behaviour have been reported in patients treated with antiepileptic agents in several indications. All patients treated with antiepileptic drugs, irrespective of indication, should be monitored for signs of suicidal ideation and behaviour and appropriate treatment should be considered.
Treatment of Overdosage:
- Gabapentin can be removed by hemodialysis
Section
This document is prepared by the “Mental Health for All” team. This document is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the Essentials of Medicine. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient’s medical history.