Interstitial cystitis and the potential role of gabapentin.

Gabapentin, an antiepileptic agent, is a safe and versatile medication also used in the adjunctive treatment of painful disorders. These include neuropathic pain, such as postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, and the pain of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Interstitial cystitis, a painful disease entity, shares many common features of these chronic pain states, and the use of gabapentin can assist in pain control. Gabapentin, as an adjunctive agent, may reduce use of cotherapeutics such as narcotics. Two patients with interstitial cystitis improved functional capacity within their activities of daily living and received adequate pain control with the addition of gabapentin to their medication regimen.