Flupirtine is a selective neuronal potassium channel opener (SNEPCO) that also has N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist property which has been shown to be effective in the management of body pain. Flupirtine is used as an analgesic for acute pain, in moderate-to-severe cases. Its muscle relaxant properties make it popular for back pain and other orthopedic uses, but it is also used for migraines, in oncology, postoperative care, and gynecology. It is also effective in other painful conditions in which the primary requirement for analgesia is without sedation or anti-inflammatory effects.
It first became available in Europe in 1984 under the brand name Katadolon.
Flupirtine is a derivative of triaminopyridine with a chemical formula of ethyl-N-{2-amino-6-(4-fluorophenylmethylamino) pyridine-3 yl} cabamate. It is available as the maleate salt because flupirtine is itself poorly water soluble. Flupirtine is a base and is weakly lipophilic.
