{"id":353317,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/neurontin.html"},"modified":"2024-01-26T16:13:05","modified_gmt":"2024-01-26T21:13:05","slug":"neurontin","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/neurontin.html","title":{"rendered":"Neurontin (Gabapentin): Legal Issues"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Neurontin (Gabapentin): Legal Issues<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Neurontin (gabapentin) has faced legal scrutiny due to its association with an increased risk of suicidality. Pfizer, the drug’s manufacturer, previously paid hundreds of millions in penalties for promoting off-label uses, which has contributed to ongoing lawsuits and heightened regulatory attention.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Neurontin (gabapentin) is a prescription medicine that helps control epileptic seizures. It doesn’t cure epilepsy\u2014it only helps control seizures. Pfizer manufactures Neurontin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration\u00a0(FDA) approved the drug in 1993<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Doctors also prescribe this medication to patients with postherpetic neuralgia<\/a>. Postherpetic neuralgia is a painful complication of shingles. Shingles is an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This article describes common side effects of Neurontin<\/a>. It also discusses the serious health risks this drug poses. Finally, it explains your legal options if you suffer an injury or illness while taking this medication.<\/p>\n

Drug manufacturers have a legal responsibility to ensure their medications carry adequate warnings and are safe to use. If you have been harmed by gabapentin or another pharmaceutical drug, you may have a claim. Contact a product liability attorney<\/a> near you to share your story. An experienced attorney can determine if you have a valid legal claim, and if so, advocate for fair compensation.<\/p>\n

Who May Take Neurontin<\/h2>\n

Doctors typically prescribe Neurontin to patients with epilepsy<\/a>. According to the manufacturer, the drug is safe for patients over three years old. The dosages doctors prescribe to pediatric patients are lower than for adults. The same is true for older adults.<\/p>\n

Neurontin also helps patients suffering from shingles (herpes zoster)<\/a>. When given for shingles treatment, doctors should limit the prescription of this drug to patients 12 years of age and older.<\/p>\n

One of the more common off-label uses of Neurontin is for restless leg syndrome. According to\u00a0JAMA<\/a>, the FDA has approved the drug for various off-label uses over the years. These uses include the following:<\/p>\n