Description
Gabapentin 400 mg
Gabapentin, like other gabapentinoid drugs, acts by decreasing activity of the protein, coded by the CACNA2D1 gene, first known as a auxiliary subunit of voltage gated calcium channels. However, see Pharmacodynamics, below. Binding gabapentin reduces the release of excitatory neurotransmitters (primarily glutamate) and as a result, reduces excess excitation of neuronal networks in the spinal cord and brain. Sleepiness and dizziness are the most common side effects. Serious side effects include respiratory depression, and allergic reactions. As with all other antiepileptic drugs approved by the FDA, gabapentin is labeled for an increased risk of suicide. Lower doses are recommended in those with kidney disease.
Gabapentin was first approved for use in the United Kingdom in 1993.
It has been available as a generic medication in United States since 2004. It is the first of several other drugs that are similar in structure and mechanism, called gabapentinoids. In 2022, it was the tenth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 40 million prescriptions. During the 1990, Parke-Davis, a subsidiary of Pfizer, used a number of illegal techniques to encourage physicians in the United States to prescribe gabapentin for unapproved uses. They have paid out millions of dollars to settle lawsuits regarding these activities.
