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, the sale of Neurontin was approved as treatment for epileptic seizures. The FDA has approved this to treat epilepsy only when used with another drug for shingles pain. The recommended dosage is 3 times a day.
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).
This is one of the best selling drugs in the world. Neurontin is also expensive for the treatment of chronic back pain. The average cost for 3200/mg/day can run around $400/month. It is an expensive drug to treat pain, but the effects are very good.
Neurontin is found in breast milk. It is the first oral medication approved by the FDA for this indication. It was prescribed for the medical condition epilepsy, but the medicine has been used for a bunch of off label uses. It has few if any side effects, which is one of its big selling points.
Neurontin is not metabolized by the body. It does not produce any active or inactive metabolites. You can take it orally with or without food. Neurontin is not for pain management. For chronic back pain, it is good for the nerve damage.
Pfizer manufactures this popular drug. Since 2003, in the United States, Neurontin has become one of the 50 most prescribed medicines.
Neurontin is often better tolerated than some other drugs, so that it is often tried first. Neurontin is very well tolerated when used with most patients. Neurontin for chronic back pain has relatively mild side effects profile. It also passes through the body unmetabolized.