Gabapentin is used to help control partial seizures (convulsions) in the treatment of epilepsy. This medicine cannot cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures for as long as you continue to take it.
Gabapentin is also used in adults to manage a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which is pain that occurs after shingles.
Gabapentin extended-release tablet is used to treat a condition called Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). RLS is a neurologic disorder that makes the legs feel uncomfortable. This results in an irresistible feeling of wanting to move your legs to make them comfortable.
Gabapentin works in the brain to prevent seizures and relieve pain for certain conditions in the nervous system. It is not used for routine pain caused by minor injuries or arthritis. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant.
Gabapentin is also used to treat certain types of long-lasting pain caused by damage to nerves. This type of pain, called neuropathic pain, can be caused by a number of different diseases, such as diabetes (where it is called diabetic neuropathy) and shingles (where it is called postherpetic neuralgia).
Although gabapentin is only licensed for use in epilepsy and neuropathic pain, it may also prescribed to help to prevent attacks of migraine. If you have been given it for this reason, then you should speak with your doctor if you have any questions about your treatment.
Gabapentin capsules, tablets, and oral solution are also used to relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN; the burning, stabbing pain or aches that may last for months or years after an attack of shingles).
Gabapentin extended-release tablets (Horizant) are used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS; a condition that causes discomfort in the legs and a strong urge to move the legs, especially at night and when sitting or lying down).
Gabapentin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. Gabapentin treats seizures by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. Gabapentin relieves the pain of PHN by changing the way the body senses pain. It is not known exactly how gabapentin works to treat restless legs syndrome.
What is the Off-Label Usages of Gabapentin ?
- Gabapentin is in the drug class gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs.
- Gabapentin is used to treat the following conditions:
- Alcohol Withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Benign Essential Tremor
- Bipolar Disorder
- Burning Mouth Syndrome
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Cluster-Tic Syndrome
- Cough
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
- Epilepsy
- Erythromelalgia
- Fibromyalgia
- Hiccups
- Hot Flashes
- Hyperhidrosis
- Insomnia
- Lhermitte’s Sign
- Migraine
- Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced
- Neuropathic Pain
- Occipital Neuralgia
- Pain
- Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Postherpetic Neuralgia
- Postmenopausal Symptoms
- Primary Orthostatic Tremor
- Pruritus
- Pudendal Neuralgia
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Small Fiber Neuropathy
- Spondylolisthesis
- Syringomyelia
- Transverse Myelitis
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Vulvodynia