Approved uses
Nerve pain (Postherpetic neuralgia)
Gabapentin is used to relieve nerve pain that can occur after an adult has had shingles (herpes zoster). The pain, which can be burning, shooting, or stabbing, can persist for months or years after the shingles rash has healed.
Epilepsy and partial seizures
Gabapentin is prescribed to prevent and control partial (focal) seizures in both adults and children aged 3 and older. It works by calming overactive nerves in the brain that are involved in causing seizures.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
Some forms of gabapentin are approved to treat moderate-to-severe primary restless legs syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes unpleasant sensations and an uncontrollable urge to move the legs.
Common off-label uses
Doctors may prescribe gabapentin off-label for other conditions where it has shown benefit. These include:
- Diabetic neuropathy: Relieving nerve pain and tingling caused by nerve damage from diabetes.
- Anxiety disorders: Helping to reduce anxiety symptoms.
- Alcohol withdrawal: Managing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and aiding in the maintenance of abstinence.
- Fibromyalgia: Treating the widespread pain associated with this condition.
- Migraine prevention: Preventing migraine headaches in some patients.
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