Pharmaceutical Products

1. Basic Information:
Product Name Gabapentin Hydrochloride
Synonym Gabapentin,Neurontin,Fanatrex,Gabarone,Gralise,Nupentin,Neogab,GOE-3450,2-[1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexyl]acetic acid
CAS 60142-96-3
MF C9H17NO2
MW 171.24
EINECS 262-076-3
Assay 99%
Quality Standards Enterprise Standard/Pharma Grade
Appearance White powder

2. Quick View:
(1) Gabapentin (Neurontin) is an anticonvulsant and analgesic drug. It was originally developed to treat epilepsy, and is currently also used to relieve neuropathic pain. It is recommended as a first line agent for the treatment of neuropathic pain arising from diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and central neuropathic pain.
(2) Gabapentin is also commonly prescribed for many off-label uses, such as treatment of restless leg syndrome, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and bipolar disorder. There are, however, concerns regarding the quality of the trials conducted and evidence for some such uses, especially in the case of its use as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder.
(3) Two related drugs, pregabalin and a prodrug form called gabapentin enacarbil, are available.

3. Medical uses:
Gabapentin is used primarily to treat seizures and neuropathic pain. There are, however, concerns regarding the quality of the research on its use to treat migraines, bipolar disorder, and pain.

4. Pharmacology:
(1) Gabapentin was initially synthesized to mimic the chemical structure of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), but is believed to act on different brain receptors.

(2)Some of its activity may involve interaction with voltage-gated calcium channels. Gabapentin binds to the α2δ subunit (1 and 2) and has been found to reduce calcium currents after chronic but not acute application via an effect on trafficking of voltage-dependent calcium channels in the central nervous system. Another possible mechanism of action is that gabapentin halts the formation of new synapses.