Neurontin (Gabapentin) used for Chronic Back Pain
For most people, Neurontin (Gabapentin) will work for chronic back pain.
Neurontin is not excreted through the liver like most things, by excreted through the kidneys. It has been used for treatment of partial seizures in patients from the ages 3-12.
Neurontin was originally approved for sale in the mid 1990′s as a treatment for epileptic seizures. The FDA has approved this to treat epilepsy when it is used with another drug for pain related shingles. Neurontin is usually taken in 3 equal doses each day.
Gabapentin is indicated for the management of postherpetic neuralgia in adults. This medicine does not interact with other seizure medicines, so it can be used as an add on. It has not been approved to treat severe RLS (restless leg syndrome).
Neurontin is expensive for the treatment of chronic pain. This is one of the best selling drugs. The average cost is approximately $400 a month for 3200mg a day. The effects are very good even though it is an expensive drug to treat pain.
You can find Neurontin in breast milk which is the first oral medication approved by the FDA. The medicine has been used for off label uses and was prescribed for the medical condition epilepsy. One of the biggest selling points is that it has few side effects.
Neurontin does not produce any active or inactive metabolites and is not metabolized by the body. It can be taken with or without food orally. Neurontin is good for the nerve damage from chronic back pain and should not be used as pain management.
The manufacturer of Neurontin is Pfizer. It is so popular it is one of the 50 most prescribed drugs in the United States since 2003.
Neurontin is usually tried first because it is often better tolerated than other drugs. It has realatively mild side effects and passes through the body unmetabolized.