Horizant

Restless Legs Syndrome, Neuralgia, Postherpetic

Treatment

4 FDA approvals

3 Active Studies for Horizant

What is Horizant

Gabapentin enacarbil

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Horizant is a drug used to treat Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults. It is the brand name for the medication gabapentin enacarbil, which is a prodrug of gabapentin.

Horizant

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Horizant Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Horizant

Gabapentin enacarbil

2011

6

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Gabapentin enacarbil, commonly known as Horizant, is approved by the FDA for 4 uses like Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Postherpetic Neuralgia .

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Helps manage Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Postherpetic Neuralgia

Helps manage Postherpetic Neuralgia

Neuralgia, Postherpetic

Helps manage Postherpetic Neuralgia

Restless Legs Syndrome

Helps manage Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Effectiveness

How Horizant Affects Patients

Gabapentin enacarbil is a form of gabapentin, and therefore produces the same effects in the body. Specifically, it can help to prevent pain from nerve damage (allodynia and hyperalgesia) associated with postherpetic neuralgia.

How Horizant works in the body

We don't know exactly how gabapentin works, but it is thought to reduce nerve pain by activating certain receptors in the spine.

When to interrupt dosage

The proposed dosage of Horizant is contingent upon the determined condition. The quantity of dosage is subject to the technique of delivery (e.g. Oral or Tablet, extended release) recorded in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Restless Legs Syndrome

300.0 mg, , 600.0 mg

Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral,

Neuralgia, Postherpetic

300.0 mg, , 600.0 mg

Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral,

Warnings

Horizant Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Horizant.

Common Horizant Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Azelastine

Major

Gabapentin enacarbil may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.

Ethanol

Major

Gabapentin enacarbil may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Ethanol.

Oliceridine

Major

The risk or severity of hypotension, sedation, death, somnolence, and respiratory depression can be increased when Gabapentin enacarbil is combined with Oliceridine.

Thalidomide

Major

Gabapentin enacarbil may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Thalidomide.

Acrivastine

Minor

Gabapentin enacarbil may decrease the excretion rate of Acrivastine which could result in a higher serum level.

Horizant Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The most common side effects of this drug are headaches, dizziness, and feeling sleepy.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Horizant Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Horizant?

One active trial is currently exploring the potential of Horizant in relieving Postherpetic Neuralgia.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Neuralgia, Postherpetic

0 Actively Recruiting

Restless Legs Syndrome

3 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable

Horizant Reviews: What are patients saying about Horizant?

5

Patient Review

8/31/2017

Horizant for Extreme Discomfort in Calves when Sitting or Lying Down

I'm amazed that it took this long to find a medication that would alleviate my restless leg syndrome. Now, I only need to take one tablet of Horizant at dinner and I feel so much better. I no longer have the constant urge to move around at night and can finally enjoy a good night's sleep.

5

Patient Review

9/23/2015

Horizant for Extreme Discomfort in Calves when Sitting or Lying Down

I've found that the best results happen when I take this medication 4-5 hours before bedtime. Otherwise, I wake up feeling groggy and disoriented. Additionally, taking more than two pills can result in Restless Leg Syndrome, so it's important to be mindful of dosage.

5

Patient Review

1/12/2018

Horizant for Neuropathic Pain

I was initially worried after reading other reviews about the possibility of being in a "stupor" or not getting pain relief. However, I followed the instructions to take it at 5PM with food, and I'm glad I did! My RLS pain is now controlled.

5

Patient Review

2/18/2019

Horizant for Extreme Discomfort in Calves when Sitting or Lying Down

This drug has been amazing for treating my RLS. I've had it since I was a child, and it's only gotten worse as I've gotten older. Horizant has been a godsend.

5

Patient Review

4/20/2018

Horizant for Extreme Discomfort in Calves when Sitting or Lying Down

I had no idea that I had RLS for years, because my doctors misdiagnosed it as arthritis. But after taking Horizant, I finally found some relief.

5

Patient Review

6/24/2017

Horizant for Neuropathic Pain

Despite no relief from my pain, I appreciate how this pill helps me manage my condition.

4.7

Patient Review

8/19/2018

Horizant for Neuropathic Pain

This medication makes it much easier to wake up in the morning without feeling groggy. I've only been taking it for a week and most of my pain has gone away.

4

Patient Review

2/19/2020

Horizant for Neuropathic Pain

I've been taking this treatment for four months to help with the pain medication I'm already on, and it's been working great. No side effects that I've noticed, just make sure you take it with food.

4

Patient Review

7/5/2013

Horizant for Extreme Discomfort in Calves when Sitting or Lying Down

I got a sample bottle of this medication from my doctor, and it was such a relief! I felt a little bit dizzy in the morning if I took it after 5pm, but I slept so soundly. The Requip was doing a good job, but this is a lot better. I have had RLS for 8 years and to finally get a good night's sleep is a blessing.

2.7

Patient Review

2/9/2015

Horizant for Extreme Discomfort in Calves when Sitting or Lying Down

Unfortunately, this medication made my vision double and blurry.

1

Patient Review

12/7/2016

Horizant for Neuropathic Pain

I really love this treatment! It's helped me so much.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about horizant

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What are the side effects of the drug Horizant?

"The text lists symptoms which may include feeling tired, uncoordinated, or having blurred vision."

Answered by AI

Is Horizant a narcotic?

"HORIZANT is a prescription medication used to treat nerve pain in adults that occurs after shingles have cleared. This nerve pain is known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). HORIZANT is not considered a narcotic drug."

Answered by AI

Is Horizant and gabapentin the same?

"It's not clear how Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil) treats restless legs syndrome or nerve pain caused by shingles, but it may affect certain chemicals and nerves in the body to produce pain relief."

Answered by AI

What is the drug Horizant used for?

"HORIZANT may be used to manage pain from damaged nerves that follows healing of shingles in adults."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Horizant

Image of Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, United States.

Peroneal Nerve Stimulation for Restless Legs Syndrome

18+
Female
Providence, RI

The goal of this study is to evaluate whether peroneal electrical nerve stimulation (PNS) using the TOMAC™ device is a feasible, acceptable, and safe non-pharmacologic intervention for managing Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) during pregnancy. This pilot study will also collect preliminary information on symptom relief, sleep quality, and maternal-fetal safety associated with device use. The main questions the study aims to answer are: Is TOMAC™ PNS a feasible and acceptable intervention for RLS in pregnant individuals? Are there any maternal, fetal, or neonatal safety concerns with PNS use during pregnancy? What are the patterns of adherence, tolerance, and usability of the TOMAC™ device in this population? Participants will: Use a non-invasive TOMAC™ peroneal nerve stimulator during 30-minute sessions as needed, for 8 weeks. Complete questionnaires assessing feasibility, acceptability, symptom severity, and sleep quality (including AIM, IAM, FIM, IRLS, PGI-I, PSQI, ESS, FOSQ, and MOS-II). Wear an actigraphy monitor to collect objective sleep data at baseline and at 4 weeks. Attend scheduled follow-up visits and phone check-ins for maternal vital signs, uterine contraction and fetal monitoring, and neonatal outcome assessment. This is a prospective, open-label, single-arm pilot study enrolling 15 pregnant participants between 21 and 26 weeks' gestation. Findings will provide the first dataset on the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of TOMAC™ PNS in pregnancy and inform the design of a future randomized controlled trial.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Rhode Island Hospital

Image of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada.

Cannabis for Restless Legs Syndrome

18+
All Sexes
Toronto, Canada

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a disorder that causes painful and uncomfortable sensations in the legs, and its symptoms have a significant impact on sleep and quality of life. Cannabis has been used by some RLS patients as a treatment due to its painkilling and drowsiness effects, however there has never been a clinical research trial investigating cannabis in patients with RLS. A controlled trial is needed to establish how safe and feasible cannabis is as a treatment for RLS. The investigators plan to randomize 30 participants with moderate-to-severe RLS to receive either cannabis or placebo for 8 weeks. The investigators will measure patients sleep quality and quality of life at baseline and 8-week follow-up. The investigators will also monitor patients for any adverse reactions to the study drug.

Recruiting
Drug

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (+1 Sites)