Gabapentin, a widely used anticonvulsant used for treatment of neuropathic pain, has recently been suggested to improve postoperative analgesia and reduce opioid requirements. Gabapentin is thought to modulate calcium channels on the presynaptic nociceptive neurons, which in turn modulate or inhibit the release of excitatory neurotransmitters from activated nociceptors. In addition to inhibiting pain transmission, gabapentin may exert an analgesic effect by activating descending inhibitory noradrenergic pathways.