Gabapentin is an anti-epileptic medication which is also known an anticonvulsant.
Gabapentin is an anti-epileptic medication which is also
known an anticonvulsant. It affects the chemicals and nerves in the body
responsible for causing seizures and some types of pain. Gabapentin may also be
used to treat other nerve painful conditions (such as diabetic
neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia) and restless legs
syndrome.
Pharmacological Class: Anti-epileptic &
Anti-convulsant
Gabapentin interacts with cortical neurons at auxiliary
subunits of voltage-sensitive calcium channels. It increases the synaptic
concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), enhances GABA responses at
non-synaptic sites in neuronal tissues and reduces the release of mono-amine
neurotransmitters. It has been found that antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic
effects of gabapentin are mediated by descending noradrenergic system,
resulting in the activation of spinal alpha 2-adrenergic receptors. Gabapentin
has also been shown to bind and activate adenosine A1 receptors.
Adult dose for
Pediatric
dose
Gabapentin is rapidly absorbed by the L-amino acid transport
system, which is a carrier-mediated, saturable transport system. The volume of
distribution is found to be 58±6
L and plasma protein binding is less than 3%. The plasma half life is 5-7
hours.
In
patients with:
Common
side effects (affecting between 1 in 10 to 1 in
100)
Uncommon
side effects (affecting 1 in 100 to 1 in 1000)
Rare
side effects (affecting less than 1 in 10,000)
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