Gabapentin and Pregabalin are examples of which drug class?

Gabapentin and Pregabalin are examples of which drug class?

• A. SNRIs
• B. NDRIs
• C. Anticonvulsants
• D. NSAIDs

Answer: (C)

Gabapentin and pregabalin are anticonvulsants. They were developed to help control seizures, but they’re also widely used for neuropathic pain. Their action isn’t through activating GABA receptors; instead they bind to the alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in the CNS. This binding reduces calcium influx in nerve terminals, which decreases the release of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate. With less excitatory signaling, neuronal activity becomes less prone to abnormal hyperactivity, which is why these drugs help prevent seizures and alleviate neuropathic pain. They aren’t SNRIs or NDRIs, which affect monoamine reuptake, nor NSAIDs, which inhibit prostaglandin synthesis.

Gabapentin and pregabalin are anticonvulsants. They were developed to help control seizures, but they’re also widely used for neuropathic pain. Their action isn’t through activating GABA receptors; instead they bind to the alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in the CNS. This binding reduces calcium influx in nerve terminals, which decreases the release of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate. With less excitatory signaling, neuronal activity becomes less prone to abnormal hyperactivity, which is why these drugs help prevent seizures and alleviate neuropathic pain. They aren’t SNRIs or NDRIs, which affect monoamine reuptake, nor NSAIDs, which inhibit prostaglandin synthesis.