The following information is NOT meant to be used to treat yourself or patients
- Generic name = Gabapentin
- Trade name = Neurontin
- Class = antiepileptic
- MOA
- binds to voltage-gated calcium channels and inhibits neurotransmitter release
- Advantages
- Relatively inexpensive
- Efficacious against many neuropathic pain conditions
- Disadvantages
- Nonlinear dosing
- Long titration period to get to effective dose – start low and titrate slowly
- Dosing
- Starting dose: 100-300mg at night
- Titrating: Increase by 100-300 mg TID every 1-7 days as tolerated
- Max dose: 3600 mg/day (max dose in clinical trials)
- Adequate trial period: 3-8 weeks for titration period, then 2-wks at max dose
- Note: Decreased dose in patients with renal disease