What is Horizant?
Horizant is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary restless legs syndrome (RLS) in adults [1]. It is also indicated for the treatment of post-operative nausea and vomiting in adults [1]. Horizant contains the active ingredient gabapentin enacarbil [1].
What is the active ingredient in Horizant?
The active ingredient in Horizant is gabapentin enacarbil [1].
When does Horizant patent expire?
The patent expiry dates for Horizant can be found on DrugPatentWatch.com. DrugPatentWatch.com provides a comprehensive database of drug patent information, including expiry dates, for a wide range of medications [2].
How does Horizant work?
Gabapentin enacarbil is a prodrug of gabapentin [1]. Gabapentin is thought to exert its effects by binding to voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system [1]. The exact mechanism by which it alleviates RLS symptoms is not fully understood [1]. For post-operative nausea and vomiting, it is believed to work by modulating neurotransmitter release in the brain [1].
Can generic versions of Horizant be made?
The availability of generic versions of Horizant depends on patent expiry and regulatory approval. Once patents expire and regulatory hurdles are cleared, generic manufacturers can produce and market their own versions of the drug [2].
What are the potential side effects of Horizant?
Common side effects of Horizant can include dizziness, somnolence (sleepiness), fatigue, headache, and nausea [1]. Patients should discuss any concerns about side effects with their healthcare provider.
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Sources:
[1] Horizant Prescribing Information. Available at: https://www.horizant.com/
[2] DrugPatentWatch.com. Available at: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/