What is Gabapentin Used For

The gabapentin was synthesized with the intention of producing a drug similar to GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of United States of America approved the gabapentin for treatment of partial-seizures in the year 1994. This drug is derived from GABA, by adding to it the cyclohexyl group. Different brands names used for distribution of this drug are as follows: Gabarone, Fanatrex, Nupentin, Neurontin and Gralise. The mechanism of action of gabapentin is not clearly understood yet. However, there are many applications of this drug. Let us find more about them.

What is Gabapentin Used For?

The drug is mostly used for treatment of different types of Neuralgia. Neuropathic pain or neuralgia is a condition in which patients suffer from pain resulting from alteration of neurological structure or its functioning. Generally, pain is known to originate from the pain receptor cells. If nerves are torn or severed during an accident and they don't fuse properly, the patients might suffer from chronic pains. These chronic pains are treated using gabapentin. Nerve pains associated with spinal injuries are also treated with this drug. Gabapentin is also used in the treatment of 'autoimmune' diseases like multiple sclerosis. In the autoimmune diseases, immune system turns overactive and acts against tissues of the body. In case of multiple sclerosis, the nervous system comes under attack. It further leads to demyelination, a condition in which myelin sheath that encloses the neurons gets damaged. Pain resulting from multiple sclerosis is reduced after being treated with gabapentin. This drug has proved to be successful in the treatment of 'Complex Regional Pain Syndrome'. It is a disease that causes swelling and pain in the skin. Gabapentin is also prescribed as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It exhibits very few side-effects in comparison to treatment by valproic acid and lithium. This drug hasn't been effective in the treatment of disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, insomnia or depression. Similarly, its use in the treatment associated with smoking cessation has delivered mixed results.

Controversies Associated With Gabapentin

There have been many controversies over the usage of gabapentin. Studies conducted in the '90s termed this drug as suitable for treatment of bipolar disorders. However, those studies and research conducted in recent times do not find them effective enough to treat the disease. Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company had accepted the fact that FDA guidelines and rules were violated by off-label usage of gabapentin in the 'Franklin vs Pfizer' case. Dr. David Franklin had filed a lawsuit against the Pfizer company, accusing them of promoting the gabapentin drug illegally for un-approved uses. However, the controversy didn't stop psychiatrists from prescribing the medicine for off-label uses. Now let us find about the side-effects caused by this drug.

Side-Effects of Gabapentin

Drowsiness, dizziness and peripheral edema are the most common side-effects resulting from the usage of gabapentin. High doses of this drug are mainly responsible for such kind of side-effects. Children treated with this medicine also exhibit some adverse effects such as hyperactivity, mood swings and problems in concentration. Care should be taken while using gabapentin for patients with renal impairments. Since the usage of gabapentin leads to accumulation of toxins, taking the precautions mentioned above, becomes very important. Apart from the side-effects mentioned above, the overdose of this drug also leads to slurred speech, blurred vision, and in worst cases, the state of coma.

Recreational Use

The drug produces psychoactive effects, and is used by many for recreational purposes. The varying effects that gabapentin can produce are mental and physical stimulation, euphoria, incessant talking, etc. If heavy doses of gabapentin are used for recreation, the person might suffer from stomach-related ailments such as diarrhea.

The details presented above show that gabapentin is a multi-purpose drug which finds use in the treatment of different types of diseases and medical conditions. Thus, we can say that apart from medical uses, the gabapentin drug has many other applications in day-to-day life.