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

Neurontin is really excreted by the body primarily through the kidneys and not by the liver like most other things. It has also been used for therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in pediatric patients from the ages of 3 to 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.

The nice part about this medicine is it is easy to use as an add on, due to the fact that it does not interact with other seizure medicines. Gabapentin is indicated for the management of postherpetic neuralgia in adults. It has not been approved to treat severe RLS ( restless leg syndrome) where the legs inadvertently jerk.

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.

Neurontin is the first oral medication approved by the FDA and found in breast milk. It was prescribed for epilepsy. The medicine has also been approved for a few off label uses. One of the biggest selling points is that it has few side effects.

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 well tolerated, has relatively mild side effects and also opasses through the body unmetabolized. Therefore, is often one of the first drugs prescribed.