Gabapentin, also known as Neurontin, is a medication used to treat seizures (epilepsy) and relieve nerve pain. It belongs to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants, which means it helps control abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can lead to seizures.

For those with nerve pain, such as after shingles or due to conditions like diabetic neuropathy, gabapentin helps by altering the way pain signals are perceived in the nervous system. It does this by reducing the release of certain chemicals that transmit pain signals between nerves.