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How Does Neurontin Work On The Nerves To Stop Pain?
I have a herniaed disk in my lower spine and was prescriped neurontin 300 mg to take only at night. A friend has neuropathy caused by diabiets and he was prescribed 300 mg neurontin to take 3 times a day. He was told by his care provider that the neurontin burned out the nerve endings to stop the pain. What we really want to know is, How does Neurontin actually work on the nerves? Does it destroy the nerve endings?
Comments
According to my significant other who has Myotonic Dystrophy , it helps his ability to relax the muscles in his hands. But you should be aware of some serious side effects of taking this medication. It has been known to enhance feelings of depression in some patients. Your Doctor can help answer your questions. Also, it is never a bad idea to consult with your pharmacist. Blessed Be.
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Definition
Gabapentin is a prescription drug that was initially approved to help manage epilepsy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved gabapentin for treatment of the nerve pain that sometimes accompanies herpes infections. Gabapentin is available in the United States under the trade name Neurontin.
Purpose
Although the FDA has only approved gabapentin for managing epilepsy and treating nerve pain associated with herpes infections, doctors often prescribe the medication for managing other conditions, including tremors associated with multiple sclerosis, nerve pain, bipolar disorder, and migraine prevention.
Description
As an antiepileptic drug, gabapentin may be used in conjunction with other drugs to prevent partial seizures. Partial seizures are caused by brief abnormal electrical activity in localized areas of the brain. Partial seizures usually do not cause unconsciousness, but may cause rhythmic contractions in one area of the body or abnormal numbness or tingling sensations.
Although gabapentin was originally approved by the FDA in 1993, it is still not understood how gabapentin prevents seizures. However, the drug is related to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurochemical that possesses inhibitory properties. In brain cells, these inhibitory actions prevent excitatory electrical impulses from spreading to neighboring cells. As a result, gabapentin probably prevents the spread of abnormal excitatory activity in the brain at least in part, by mimicking the actions of GABA.
By preventing excitatory communication between cells, gabapentin may also inhibit the electrical impulses involved in pain conduction. This may account for the drug’s ability to alleviate pain, especially nerve pain.
When gabapentin is used along with other therapies for managing epileptic partial seizures, improvements should be observed within 12 weeks. On the other hand, pain relief may be evident within one week when the drug is used for pain associated with herpes infections.
Recommended dosage
For adults, the initial dose of gabapentin is 300 mg taken by mouth three times each day. The dosage may be increased if necessary. Dosages as high as 800–1,200 mg three times daily have been well tolerated.
Neurontin (brand name) is gabapentin. It slows nerve synapses between the nerves. It does not destroy nerve endings. I am on 3600 mg a day now, and the feeling in my feet is close to normal, whereas before they would burn and tingle. It is used as an anti-seizure medication, and people have been on it for years. It is now available generically as gabapentin, and will save you a TON of money if you get the generic medication. Your friends care provider is someone who he should NEVER SEE AGAIN, in my opinion, as that is so unprofessional.
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