Flupirtine maleate is a centrally-acting, non-opioid analgesic with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist property. Flupirtine maleate is an analgesic with muscle-relaxing properties that activates KV7 potassium channels. Flupirtine maleate is as effective as opioids to settle the pain in post-surgical cases, cancer related, neuropathic and myofascial in origin. The analgesic effect of flupirtine maleate does not appear to be associated with any central opioid effect. The clinical use of flupirtine maleate is more appropriate as it lacks the typical side effects of the opioid drugs.
