GABAPENTIN

Gabapentin is a new antiepileptic drug for add-on therapy in patients above the age of 12 years with otherwise refractory partial seizures. Its unknown molecular mode of action is probably related to binding si tes in the brain. There are no hints to toxicologic effects or damage of the hematopoetic system, liver, or kidney in man. With the exceptio n of a rather short elimination half life, the pharmacokinetic data ar e very favourable. Due to a lack of protein binding and metabolization there is no danger of major interactions with antiepileptic or other drugs. Efficacy has been demonstrated in three multicenter placebo-con trolled trials involving a total of 705 patients. Secondarily generali zed seizures seem to be the most Likely to respond to 900-1800 mg/day, followed by complex partial and simple partial seizures. Tolerability is good and serious side effects have not been observed up to now.