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Gabapentin: pharmacology and its use in pain management
Author(s) -
Rose M. A.,
Kam P. C. A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1046/j.0003-2409.2001.02399.x
Subject(s) - gabapentin , medicine , neuropathic pain , postherpetic neuralgia , neuralgia , allodynia , hyperalgesia , anesthesia , pregabalin , drug , analgesic , pharmacology , nociception , receptor , alternative medicine , pathology
Summary Although its exact mode of action is not known, gabapentin appears to have a unique effect on voltage‐dependent calcium ion channels at the postsynaptic dorsal horns and may, therefore, interrupt the series of events that possibly leads to the experience of a neuropathic pain sensation. Gabapentin is especially effective at relieving allodynia and hyperalgesia in animal models. It has been shown to be efficacious in numerous small clinical studies and case reports in a wide variety of pain syndromes. Gabapentin has been clearly demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of neuropathic pain in diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia. This evidence, combined with its favourable side‐effect profile in various patient groups (including the elderly) and lack of drug interactions, makes it an attractive agent. Therefore, gabapentin should be considered an important drug in the management of neuropathic pain syndromes.