Gabapentin, sold under the brand name Neurontin among others, is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat neuropathic pain (postherpetic neuralgia) and partial seizures of epilepsy. [12][7] Gabapentin is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and derivative of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA. [7] It is used for the treatment of neuropathic pain caused by diabetic neuropathy. In 2024, gabapentin was the fifth most prescribed drug in the U.S., with prescriptions nearly tripling since 2010, according to findings published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The number of patients prescribed gabapentin reached 15.5 million in 2024, up from 5.8 million in 2010. Gabapentin was originally developed as an anti-convulsant. Gabapentin, available in both branded and generic forms, is used to treat partial seizures, postherpetic neuralgia following shingles and restless legs syndrome. Here's who gabapentin was originally approved for, what it's used for today and why it's becoming a drug of increasing concern for abuse and misuse. Description 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 to manage a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which is pain that occurs after shingles. Gabapentin works in the brain to prevent seizures and. Gabapentin is a prescription medicine used to treat seizures, pain after shingles, restless legs syndrome, and off-label uses. Learn about side effects, dosage, uses, warnings, interactions, and brand differences. Find patient medical information for Gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings Key Takeaways Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) is commonly used to treat some types of nerve pain but is classified as an anticonvulsant medicine, not as an opioid or narcotic painkiller. Gabapentin was first approved in 1993 and is used to treat: Postherpetic neuralgia, a nerve pain caused by the shingles virus (herpes zoster), Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a painful movement. What is gabapentin? Gabapentin is a prescription medication taken in pill form that was originally developed to treat seizures and epilepsy, but has since been used for a variety of other. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication prescribed for a variety of conditions. Learn about its uses, side effects, and what you should know if you've been prescribed this medication.