Once-daily gastroretentive gabapentin for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.

SUMMARY The immediate-release formulation of gabapentin (gabapentin three-times daily) is approved for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Although it has a low propensity for drug-drug interactions, it requires multiple daily dosing and is associated with a high frequency of dizziness and somnolence. A once-daily formulation of gabapentin was recently approved for the treatment of PHN. This formulation employs a gastroretentive technology to provide a prolonged release of gabapentin. Clinical studies have confirmed the efficacy of once-daily, gastroretentive gabapentin in the treatment of PHN. In addition, these studies have suggested that the rate of dizziness and somnolence may be reduced compared with similar studies using gabapentin three-times daily. This article reviews key aspects of the pharmacology, efficacy and safety of once-daily gabapentin in the treatment of PHN.