Gabapentin
Gabapentin, also known as neurontin, is a drug used to treat seizures and neuropathic pain (pain from nerves). The compound was synthesized to mimic the neurotransmitter GABA. By mimicking GABA, Gabapentin acts like a general sedative and decreases electrical imbalance in the brain.
Gabapentin Facts
| Other names | Gabapentin, Neurontin |
| Chemical formula | C9H17NO2 |
| Effects | Removes the need of sleep and increases alertness. |
| Prize | 100mg $30 |
| Australia | Available by prescription. |
| Thailand | Available without prescription. |
| United States | Available by prescription, however legal to posses without one. |
Over the years, this drug has been used to treat a wide variety of conditions like:
- shingles - the painful vesicles related to the herpes virus respond well to gabapentin
- headaches
Other non approved medical uses of the drug include treatment of depression and anxiety. Because the drug has been known to decrease the generation of electrical impulses in the brain, it has found some use in the treatment of behaviors where impulsivity is common. These include obsessive compulsive disease and anxiety.
There is some evidence that Gabapentin may be useful in the treatment of addiction to cocaine and alcohol. Besides its use as an anti seizure drug, Gabapentin is most frequently used to treat a variety of pain disorder. How Gabapentin decreases the pain is not known.
The drug is available with a physician's prescription but one can easily buy Gabapentin over the internet without one. However, it has little abuse potential.