ABOUT NEURONTIN  |  NEURONTIN FAQs
Welcome to the Brown & Crouppen Neurontin page.  Brown & Crouppen is one of mid-America’s largest personal injury litigation firms. Our firm has thrived for over a quarter of a century because of our shared commitment to deliver the best possible service to clients throughout Missouri and the United States.  We have been building our reputation for legal success by helping thousands of clients throughout the U.S. win millions of dollars. Today our team of over 70 legal professionals serves clients from five Missouri locations. One of our fastest growing practice areas is dangerous drug litigation. We have represented clients who have been injured and families who have lost a loved one due to dangerous drugs, prescription error, manufacturing negligence and unlawful marketing practices. We have successfully tackled the prescription drug giants who make Rezulin™, Fen-Phen™, Lotronex™, OxyContin™, Prempro™, Baycol™, PPA™, and Zyprexa.

One of the most flagrant examples of unscrupulous and dangerous behavior is the May 13, 2004 announcement that Pfizer, Inc. has pleaded guilty to criminal charges involving the illegal and fraudulent promotion of their epilepsy drug Neurontin (generic name: gabapentin). If you were prescribed Neurontin, or its generic form gabapentin, for a medical condition other than epilepsy, you may be eligible for damages. Ron Brown, Terry Crouppen and their legal team has the experience, resources and commitment to deliver the best possible service to our personal injury clients and make a real difference in their lives. Whomever the client, whatever the case, the Brown & Crouppen team provides the attentive, professional care and uncompromising dedication necessary to protect each client’s rights.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved Neurontin for sale in 1993 as a supplemental treatment for epileptic seizures. Subsequently, the drug’s manufacturer, Parke-Davis, was acquired by Pfizer in 2000. How did a drug that the FDA approved only as a supplementary treatment for a specific type of seizure, have sales soar from $97.5 million in 1995 to $2.7 billion in 2003?

• By adopting a strategy that promoted Neurontin’s effectiveness for unapproved uses including pain relief, migraines, bipolar disorder and drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

• By falsifying medical information to market and promote Neurontin to physicians for “off-label” uses.

• By providing physician incentives including trips, hefty “consulting” fees, and 1996 Summer Olympic games tickets.

These disturbing facts were part of the evidence against Pfizer, the world's largest pharmaceutical company. The pharmaceutical giant has agreed to plead guilty to violating the Food and Drug Cosmetic Act and will pay an estimated $400 million in fines in one of the largest Medicaid-fraud settlements.

The morality and legal issues aside, it is even more disturbing to consider the untold damage suffered by those who took the medication as prescribed by their doctors to treat ailments including:

• Bipolar Disorder

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

• Treatment of Epilepsy alone (montherapy)

• Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

• Trigeminal Neuralgia

• Post-Hepatic Neuralgia (PHN)

• Migraine

• Lou Gehrig’s Disease

• Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures

There is no doubt of the drug maker’s guilt. Even as they were implementing their fraudulent scheme; they had scientific evidence that proved Neurontin was not effective in treating any illness except those for which it was approved by the FDA. By lying to physicians and incentivizing corrupt ones, patient’s lives were put at risk. Innocent people continued to suffer pain, illness and the loss of hope. The news just keeps getting worse – the drug is now thought to cause suicidal behavior. Countless lives have been damaged or destroyed and state Medicaid programs were harmed, while Pfizer and its subsidiaries reaped the benefits of their deceit and illegal marketing tactics.

The time has come to respond to Pfizer’s greed and disregard for the safety of others. If you or a family member is taking (or have taken) Neurontin, contact your physician to discuss the situation. Call the attorneys at Brown & Crouppen to discuss the viability of your case. You may be entitled to file a legal claim against the drug maker for negligence in product labeling and marketing. Brown & Crouppen has represented many victims of defective drugs. As our client, you will be backed by a team of legal professionals, medical experts and investigators who are committed to protecting your rights. Please contact us today for your free initial consultation.

At Brown & Crouppen, our experienced team of defective drug lawyers provide tough, aggressive representation for Neurontin victims and their families. When you choose us to handle your lawsuit, our entire team becomes fully committed to your cause. We’ll find answers, hold negligent companies responsible and get you the compensation you deserve.

Brown & Crouppen can help you make informed decisions about your legal rights, so please call Brown & Crouppen at 1-800-536-HELP for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.

>> Visit our Neurontin Lawyers Website, focused on providing information about Neurontin and your legal options.

What is Neurontin?

What are the approved uses for Neurontin?

What are "off label" uses?

Is it illegal for a doctor to prescribe Neurontin for an 'off label' use?

Is there a generic form of Neurontin?

Should I stop taking Neurontin?


What is Neurontin?
Neurontin (pronounced NUHR-on-tin) is a prescription anticonvulsant medication used as a supplementary treatment for partial seizures, most commonly epileptic seizures.

What are the approved uses for Neurontin?
Gabapentin (Neurontin) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration, in 1993, as a supplementary treatment for seizures. It is also used to treat the burning nerve pain that sometimes persists for months or even years after an attack of shingles (herpes zoster) in adults. Typically, Neurontin is used to supplement additional anti-convulsant medications for the treatment of epilepsy.

What are "off label" uses?
Pfizer Inc., has pleaded guilty to illegally promoting and marketing Neurontin to the medical community. Pfizer Inc. is being sued by a number of litigants who claim the drug maker illegally promoted the medication for at least 11 unapproved medical conditions, and used their own employees and paid physicians to promote the drug for these “off-label” conditions. The 11 illegally promoted, unapproved uses for gabapentin as outlined in court documents are:

• Bipolar disorder

• Pain syndromes, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy

• Treatment of epilepsy alone

• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy

• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)

• Attention deficit disorder (ADD)

• Restless leg syndrome (RLS)

• Trigeminal neuralgia

• Post-hepatic neuralgia (PHN)

• Essential tremor periodic limb movement

• Migraines

• Drug and alcohol withdrawal seizures

It is reported that almost 90% of all Neurontin use is for the treatment of 'off label' illnesses. During a five year period the use of Neurontin grew ten fold - resulting in multi-billion dollar profits for Pfizer. This dramatic increase is linked to an aggressive, and illegal, marketing campaign that included consulting fees, paid vacations, and other incentives for doctors.

Serious and sometimes life threatening side effects have been observed when Neurontin is used for 'off label' illnesses. More about Neurontin Side Effects >

Is it illegal for a doctor to prescribe Neurontin for an 'off label' use?
It is not illegal for a doctor to prescribe Neurontin for an 'off label' use. It is illegal for drug manufacturers to promote and market a pharmaceutical drug for uses not approved by the FDA.

Is there a generic form of Neurontin?
The generic name of Neurontin is gabapentin, and the drug is chemically unrelated to any other anticonvulsant or mood-regulating medication, and there is no generic form of gabapentin as the manufacturer, Pfizer Inc., has patent protection for Neurontin.

Pfizer Inc. is currently in litigation with several drug manufacturers over the patent rights to Neurontin, stalling the manufacture of generic forms.

Should I stop taking Neurontin?
You should not abruptly stop taking Neurontin. Serious side effects and withdrawal symptoms have been associated with the discontinuation of Neurontin. Neurontin should be tapered off under strict medical supervision. Talk with your physician about the uses, dangers, and appropriate discontinuation of Neurontin.

Call Brown & Crouppen at 1-800-536-HELP for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.

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