The mechanism of action of gabapentin in neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain is a common and potentially treatable cause of considerable lifelong morbidity. Effective pharmacological treatments are scarce, but one group of drugs that has shown promise is the antiepileptics. Gabapentin has become popular as a first-line treatment for neuropathic pain because of its efficacy as an antineuropathic agent and relatively benign side-effect profile. However, its mechanism of action is far from clear. This review discusses the available evidence for the postulated mechanisms of action of gabapentin. Understanding the mechanism of action of this agent may well lead to the development of safer and more effective antineuropathic drugs.
Baillie
J Kenneth
JK
Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Street, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK. j.k.baillie@doctors.org.uk
Power
Ian
I
D000588:Amines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000588:Amines; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D015220:Calcium Channels; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D015221:Potassium Channels; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D012701:Serotonin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin