Medicine & USMLE

Gabapentinoids

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Antiseizure Drugs
  1. Ethosuximide
  2. Gabapentinoids
  3. Levetiracetam
  4. Lamotrigine
  5. Valproic Acid
  6. Phenytoin
  7. Carbamazepine
  8. Oxcarbazepine
  9. Topiramate
  10. Lamotrigine
  11. Phenytoin (Old)
  12. Carbamazepine (Old)
  13. Levetiracetam (Old)
  14. Valproic Acid (Old)

Summary

Gabapentinoids are a class of drugs that includes gabapentin and pregabalin. They work by blocking voltage-dependent calcium channels. Clinically, gabapentinoids are used as narrow-spectrum antiepileptic drugs to treat focal seizures. They are also effective at treating neuropathic pain. Side effects of gabapentinoids include weight gain, ataxia, dizziness, and sedation.

Key Points

  • Gabapentinoids
    • Drug Names
      • Gabapentin
      • Pregabalin
    • Mechanism
      • Block voltage-dependent calcium channels
        • Inhibits voltage-gated calcium channel via α2δ subunit
      • Originally designed as GABA analogs
        • Hence the “GABApentin” and “preGABAlin” names
    • Clinical Use
      • Treats seizures (antiepileptic)
        • Narrow spectrum
        • Treats focal (partial) seizures
      • Treats neuropathic pain
        • May be used to treat neuropathic pain in diabetic neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia (e.g. after shingles)
    • Side Effects
      • Sedation
      • Dizziness
      • Ataxia
      • Weight Gain