Readers of MSNBC learned that Neurontin can be used to quench the fires of vaginal burning.

Quote” Often, the pain is localized near the bottom third of the vulva and opening of the vagina (called the intraoitus). A doctor can test for areas of pain by touching the tissue with a cotton swab.

Just as there is no single established cause for vulvodynia, there is also no single therapy that works for those who suffer from it. Some of the treatments now being used include:—

Oral medications

• Tricyclic antidepressants (including Elavil, Pamelor and Norpramin) can help by decreasing the sensitivity of the nerves in the irritated area.
• Anticonvulsants (anti-epileptic medications) also seem to help: Neurontin and Tegretol have been prescribed with some success.

More at http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10546605/

A scientist at the University of Alberta has discovered a potential breakthrough for premature ejaculation, the most common sexual dysfunction in men, with the help of a drug usually used to treat anxiety disorder.

Dr. Pierre Chue, a psychiatry professor at the U of A, has found success in treating premature ejaculation (PE) with the use of gabapentin, better known by the brand name Neurontin.

“This disorder affects almost 40 per cent of males it is even more common than erectile dysfunction yet it is not talked about much and there has been very little research on it,” Dr Chue was quoted as saying.

The essential feature of the disorder is persistent ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation before or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it.

Currently, physicians prescribe medications that are known to influence receptors that delay ejaculation but these antidepressants also come with negative side-effects.

Dr. Chue is not certain how gabapentin works to improve PE but believes it has to do with the drug’s ability to increase aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Since there are currently no specific treatments for PE, the use of gabepentin to prolong ejaculation warrants further study, according to Chue, particularly for those men where other therapies are ineffective or poorly tolerated.

More at http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1011668,00500016.htm

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Depomed Inc. (DEPO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) shares rose 10 percent after it reported its experimental pain drug proved safe and effective in treating nerve pain caused by shingles in a mid-stage clinical trial, and said it would begin pivotal late-stage trials in the first half of this year.

The drug, Gabapentin GR, is an extended-release version of Pfizer Inc.’s (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) pain and epilepsy medicine Neurontin, which is now available in less expensive, generic forms.

In the four-week, 158-patient study, Gabapentin GR taken twice daily proved to be significantly better than a placebo in reducing pain associated with shingles, or herpes zoster, viral infection, the company said.

A once-daily dose of the drug failed to achieve statistical significance over a placebo in treating the condition known as postherpetic neuralgia.

Both Gabapentin groups in the study received 1,800 milligrams of the drug per day. The company declined to disclose how the dose was split in the twice-a-day group.

There were no serious adverse events associated with Gabapentin GR, the company said. The most common side effect was dizziness, which is commonly associated with Gabapentin.

Postherpetic neuralgia is a persistent pain condition caused by nerve damage during a shingles episode. The pain associated with the condition can be severe and last for months.

“These data strongly support twice-daily Gabapentin GR and are very encouraging for once-daily use for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia,” Depomed Chief Executive John Fara said in a statement.

Shares of Depomed were up 60 cents at $6.53 on Nasdaq.

The promotion of off-label uses of pharmaceuticals has gotten other drug companies in trouble. In 2004, Warner-Lambert pleaded guilty to federal charges that it promoted epilepsy drug Neurontin for off-label uses beginning in the 1990s. Pfizer Inc., which acquired Warner-Lambert in 2000, agreed to pay $430 million to resolve criminal charges and civil liabilities in the case.

Neurontin is an anti-convulsant drug prescribed to patients with epilepsy.

Wikipedia says: Gabapentin (Neurontin) is an anticonvulsant medication indicated in the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain. It is also used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and may be effective in reducing pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis.

NEURONTIN is an FDA-approved oral medication for management of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN is the pain that lasts one to three months after shingles has healed. In studies of PHN, NEURONTIN greatly reduced patients’ pain.

NEURONTIN is also FDA approved for the treatment of partial seizures in adults and children.

NEURONTIN may begin to work as early as 1 week after you start treatment. For some people, it may take longer to work. For others, the pain may not get better.