[The safety and tolerability profile of gabapentin in optimal doses].
BACKGROUND
Gabapentin (GBP) is an amino acid that is structurally analogous to GABA with the capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier and an antiepileptic action. It is indicated in the treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation. It has been suggested that the dosages used in pilot studies were not suitable to achieve optimal efficiency.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to investigate the safety and tolerability of GBP with doses above those initially advocated in the literature.


METHODS
We review its pharmacological characteristics and analyse the results of different placebo-controlled, open, short and long-term trials, both in monotherapy and associated to other antiepileptic drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Enough evidence was found to allow us to state that the efficiency of GBP can be increased with the utilisation of higher doses than those recommended to date, without the risk of generating unacceptable side effects at the same time.
Cañadillas-Hidalgo
F M
FM
Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain. fcanadillash41050@yahoo.es
D000328:Adult; D000588:Amines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002648:Child; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D000588:Amines; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin