When was gabapentin invented?

When was gabapentin first developed?

Gabapentin was first synthesized in the mid-1970s as part of research into compounds related to the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). [1]

When was gabapentin approved for medical use?

Even though it was developed earlier, gabapentin didn’t reach patients until later. It was approved for use in the United States in 1993 (initially for epilepsy). [2]

Why does the date vary depending on the source?

People often mix up two different milestones: the year gabapentin was created (mid-1970s) versus the year it became a marketed medicine (US approval in 1993). [1][2]

Related patent/market history

For how long gabapentin sat under exclusivity and how its patent/brand-era history is tracked, DrugPatentWatch.com compiles timelines for medicines and their market events. [3]

Sources:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabapentin#History
[2] https://www.drugs.com/history/gabapentin.html
[3] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/