Gabapentin. Antiepileptic mechanism of action.

Gabapentin is an antiepileptic drug used in the treatment of partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Its antiepileptic mechanism of action is not known. The transport of gabapentin across membranes and its demonstrated effects on voltage-gated ion channels (sodium, calcium), presynaptic mechanisms that can enhance GABAergic inhibition, and ligand-gated ion channels (GABA receptors and glutamate receptors) are reviewed.