Gabapentin-d4 is intended for use as an internal standard for the quantification of gabapentin by GC- or LC-MS. Gabapentin is a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogue that acts as an anticonvulsant. It does not bind to GABA receptors, does not influence neural uptake of GABA, and does not inhibit the GABA-metabolizing enzyme, GABA transaminase. Unlike GABA, which does not pass through the blood-brain barrier, gabapentin penetrates into the central nervous system and binds to the α2δ-type voltage-gated calcium channels. Formulations containing gabapentin have been used to treat neuropathic pain caused by complex regional pain syndrome type one, cancer, and HIV as well as to control dysesthesias in patients with multiple sclerosis.
