Gabapentin topical creams and gels have been shown to be effective for treating chronic neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is pain coming from damaged nerves. It differs from pain messages carried along healthy nerves from damaged tissue that can come from a burn or a cut. Medicines like ibuprofen and other NSAIDS, which are effective for certain types of pain, are not effective in treating neuropathic pain.

Gabapentin is an anti-epileptic medication that also diminishes pain transmission in damaged neurons through affecting glutamate receptors. Conditions that respond well to gabapentin cream or gel include:

• Postherpetic neuralgia
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Generalized vulvodynia
• Fibromyalgia

There are multiple formulations available that contain different ingredients for treating pain. A compounding pharmacy can make creams and gels in customized dosages with different ingredients combined together. These combinations are not commercially available and must be made by a compounding pharmacy. Other ingredients that may be included include lidocaine, ketoprofen, and clonidine. Topical administration can allow multiple medications to be taken while minimizing systemic side effects and reducing gastrointestinal symptoms.

Formulations

Research

Development and Evaluation of Topical Gabapentin Formulations – Pharmaceutics