For chronic back pain, Neurontin (Gabapentin) will work for most people.

Neurontin is not excreted through the liver like most things, by excreted through the kidneys. It has been used for treatment of partial seizures in patients from the ages 3-12.

In the 1990’s, Neurontin was approved for sale as treatment for epileptic seizures. When used with another drug for pain from shingles, the FDA has approved it to treat epilepsy. Eache day, you would need to take 3 doses.

Gabapentin is indicated for the management of postherpetic neuralgia in adults. This medicine does not interact with other seizure medicines, so it can be used as an add on. It has not been approved to treat severe RLS (restless leg syndrome).

Neurontin is expensive and one of the best selling drug in the world used for the treatment of chronic back pain. The average cost is $400/month for 3200mg/day. The effects are good even though it is an expensive drug to treat pain.

You can find Neurontin in breast milk which is the first oral medication approved by the FDA. The medicine has been used for off label uses and was prescribed for the medical condition epilepsy. One of the biggest selling points is that it has few side effects.

Neurontin does not produce any active or inactive metabolites and is not metabolized by the body. It can be taken with or without food orally. Neurontin is good for the nerve damage from chronic back pain and should not be used as pain management.

Pfizer is the manufacturer and this is its best selling drug. It is popular too. It is one of the 50 most prescribed medicines in the United States in 2003.

Neurontin is usually tried first because it is often better tolerated than other drugs. It has realatively mild side effects and passes through the body unmetabolized.