In people with partial seizures, gabapentin works by decreasing abnormal activity in the brain. Experts believe gabapentin may cause brain cells to produce more of a chemical called GABA, which reduces abnormal electrical activity of brain cells.
In people experiencing nerve pain after having had shingles, gabapentin is thought to change the way pain signals are sent through the body and brain.
It’s not entirely clear how gabapentin works to treat restless legs syndrome.
Gabapentinoids are FDA-approved to treat a variety of conditions including partial seizures and nerve pain from spinal cord injury, shingles, and diabetes. Other approved uses include fibromyalgia and restless legs syndrome. Gabapentin was first approved in 1993 and pregabalin was first approved in 2004.
Gabapentin is marketed under the brand names Neurontin and Gralise, and also as generics. Gabapentin enacarbil is marketed under the brand name Horizant. Pregabalin is marketed under the brand names Lyrica and Lyrica CR, and also as generics. Pregabalin is a Schedule V controlled substance, which means it has a lower potential for abuse among the drugs scheduled by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), but may lead to some physical or psychological dependence.
The exact way that gabapentin works for nerve pain or seizures is unknown. Gabapentin may block certain signals from nerves. Seizures are caused by electrical activity in the brain that is not normal. Gabapentin may interfere with the abnormal electrical activity of the brain.