Neurontin (generic name: gabapentin) was FDA-approved in 1993 for use as an anticonvulsant for people suffering from partial seizures associated with epilepsy.  It is also FDA-approved for the management of post-herpetic neuralgia (persistent pain after a herpes zoster skin rash outbreak). 

Neurontin is available by prescription only. It has been marketed and promoted for several non-approved uses including:

• bipolar disorder
• pain syndromes, peripheral neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy
• treatment of epilepsy alone (monotherapy)
• reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)
• attention deficit disorder (ADD)
• restless leg syndrome (RLS)
• trigeminal neuralgia
• essential tremor
• migraines
• chronic pain
• drug and alcohol withdrawal seizures

Side effects include suicidal behavior/attempted suicide, paranoia, memory loss, hostility, unsteadiness, severe mania, depression, abnormal thinking, incoordination, dizziness, drowsiness, water retention, nausea and/or vomiting, ataxia (inability to control muscles), fatigue, and/or viral infection.

The drug company Pfizer (a/k/a Parke-Davis/ Warner-Lambert) has engaged in consumer fraud by marketing and promoting this drug for uses that it simply does NOT work for. In fact, in many cases, a placebo worked better than Neurontin.