Gabapentin ligner strukturmæssigt neurotransmitteren GABA (gammaaminosmørsyre), men dets virkningsmekanisme er forskellig fra den mekanisme, som flere andre aktive stoffer interagerer med GABA- synapser på, herunder valproat, barbiturater, benzodiazepiner, GABA- transaminase- hæmmere, GABA- uptake- hæmmere, GABA- agonister og GABA- prodrugs.
Gabapentin is structurally related to the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) but its mechanism of action is different from that of several other active substances that interact with GABA synapses including valproate, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, GABA transaminase inhibitors, GABA uptake inhibitors, GABA agonists, and GABA prodrugs.