Gabapentin for treatment of pain and tremor: a large case series.
BACKGROUND
Several anticonvulsant agents, including carbamazepine, phenytoin, and valproate, are effective in some patients for the treatment of pain and tremor. This study reports on a trial of the newly introduced anticonvulsant, gabapentin, for pain and tremor control.


METHODS
A large case series of patients with centrally mediated pain, peripherally mediated pain, migraine, and tremor were treated in an open-label study with gabapentin (maximum of 2,700 mg/day).


RESULTS
Thirty-nine patients (65%) had moderate-to-excellent improvement in symptoms, with the best responses occurring in patients with peripherally mediated neuropathic pain. The other conditions treated that showed some improvement were benign essential/familial tremor, restless legs syndrome, centrally mediated pain, and periodic nighttime leg movements.


CONCLUSIONS
Gabapentin offers an effective, safe alternative therapy or co-therapy for the listed painful conditions and tremor; it does not affect the metabolism of other medications and is well tolerated.
Neurology Clinic of San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
M D
MD
Merren
D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001100:Arachnoiditis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D014202:Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin