What is the typical use and dosage of Gabapentin (Neurontin) for various medical conditions?

Gabapentin: Uses and Dosing Guidelines

Gabapentin is recommended as a first-line oral pharmacological treatment for chronic neuropathic pain, particularly HIV-associated neuropathic pain, with a typical adult regimen titrating to 2400 mg per day in divided doses. 1

Primary Indications and Dosing

Neuropathic Pain

• Gabapentin is a first-line treatment for various neuropathic pain conditions including HIV-associated neuropathic pain, postherpetic neuralgia, and diabetic neuropathy 1
• Dosing for neuropathic pain:
  • Starting dose: 300 mg on day 1,600 mg on day 2 (300 mg twice daily), 900 mg on day 3 (300 mg three times daily) 2
  • Titration: Increase by 300 mg every 3 days as tolerated 1
  • Target dose: 1800-2400 mg/day in divided doses 1, 3
  • Maximum dose: 3600 mg/day, though evidence suggests doses above 1800 mg/day may not provide additional benefit for postherpetic neuralgia 2, 3

Epilepsy

• Used for partial onset seizures in patients 12 years and older 2
• Dosing for epilepsy:
  • Starting dose: 300 mg three times daily 2
  • Maintenance dose: 300-600 mg three times daily 2
  • Maximum dose: 2400 mg/day (well-tolerated in long-term studies) 2, 4
  • Pediatric dosing (3-11 years): 10-15 mg/kg/day initially, titrated to 25-35 mg/kg/day (ages 5-11) or 40 mg/kg/day (ages 3-4) 2

Dosage Adjustments

Renal Impairment

• Dosage reduction required in patients with compromised renal function 2
• Creatinine clearance ≥60 mL/min: 900-3600 mg/day (300-1200 mg TID) 2
• Creatinine clearance 30-59 mL/min: 400-1400 mg/day (200-700 mg BID) 2
• Creatinine clearance 15-29 mL/min: 200-700 mg/day (200-700 mg QD) 2
• Creatinine clearance <15 mL/min: 100-300 mg/day (100-300 mg QD) 2
• Hemodialysis patients require supplemental doses after each 4-hour hemodialysis session 2

Elderly Patients

• Lower starting doses and slower titration recommended due to higher likelihood of decreased renal function 2
• Careful dose selection based on creatinine clearance values 2

Clinical Efficacy

• In HIV-associated neuropathic pain, gabapentin has shown moderate evidence of efficacy 1
• For postherpetic neuralgia, studies demonstrate significant decrease in pain compared to placebo, with 66% reduction in pain and allodynia levels (vs. 33% with placebo) 1
• Effective for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, with doses of 1800-3600 mg/day showing significant pain reduction 3
• May improve sleep scores in patients with neuropathic pain; somnolence reported in 80% of patients 1

Common Side Effects

• Dizziness and somnolence (most common) 1
• Dry mouth and constipation 1
• Peripheral edema, especially in elderly patients 5
• Weight gain 5
• Neuropsychological reactions 5

Treatment Algorithm for Neuropathic Pain

1. First-line treatment: Gabapentin starting at 300 mg/day, titrated to 1800-2400 mg/day 1, 3
2. If inadequate response to gabapentin:
   • Consider serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors 1
   • Consider tricyclic antidepressants 1
   • Consider pregabalin for post-herpetic neuralgia 1
3. For topical treatment: Consider capsaicin 8% dermal patch for peripheral neuropathic pain 1

Important Clinical Considerations

• Gabapentin has few drug interactions as it is not protein-bound, not metabolized, and does not induce liver enzymes 6
• It is eliminated unchanged in urine, requiring dose adjustment in renal impairment 2, 5
• Therapeutic effects may take time to develop; optimal seizure control may take months to achieve 4
• For neuropathic pain, effects on pain reduction may be seen within days to weeks 3, 7
• Visual field restriction has been reported in clinical trials 5

Advantages Over Other Medications

• More favorable side effect profile compared to tricyclic antidepressants 5
• No significant drug interactions with other antiepileptic agents or oral contraceptives 6
• May be particularly effective for complex partial seizures and partial seizures secondarily generalized 6
• Broad therapeutic index with good tolerability 4