Crisugabalin (HSK16149) is a selective
GABA
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid, γ-aminobutyric acid) is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the developmentally mature mammalian central nervous system. Its principal role is reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system.
GA ...
analog in development for the treatment of
chronic pain
Chronic pain is pain that persists or recurs for longer than 3 months.https://icd.who.int/browse/2025-01/mms/en#1581976053 It is also known as gradual burning pain, electrical pain, throbbing pain, and nauseating pain. This type of pain is in cont ...
. It has a wider
therapeutic index
The therapeutic index (TI; also referred to as therapeutic ratio) is a quantitative measurement of the relative safety of a drug with regard to risk of overdose. It is a comparison of the amount of a therapeutic agent that causes toxicity to the ...
than
pregabalin
Pregabalin, sold under the brand name Lyrica among others, is an anticonvulsant, analgesic, and anxiolytic amino acid medication used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, restless legs syndrome, opioid withdrawal, generalized anx ...
, which has a similar
mechanism of action
In pharmacology, the term mechanism of action (MOA) refers to the specific biochemical Drug interaction, interaction through which a Medication, drug substance produces its pharmacological effect. A mechanism of action usually includes mention o ...
. In China, it was approved in May 2024 for the treatment of diabetic peripheral
neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain is pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. Neuropathic pain may be associated with abnormal sensations called dysesthesia or pain from normally non-painful stimuli (allodynia). It may have continuo ...
and approved in July 2024 for the treatment of
postherpetic neuralgia
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is neuropathic pain that occurs due to damage to a peripheral nerve caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus ( herpes zoster, also known as shingles). PHN is defined as pain in a dermatomal distributi ...
. In the United States, it is in Phase III trials as of 2023. The drug can be administered with or without food.
See also
*
List of investigational analgesics
This is a list of investigational analgesics, or analgesics that are currently under development for clinical use but are not yet approved. ''Chemical/generic names are listed first, with developmental code names, synonyms, and brand names in par ...
References
GABA analogues
Drugs with unknown mechanisms of action
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