Which drug is classified as an antiepileptic and also used for nerve pain?

Gabapentin is classified as an antiepileptic medication that is primarily used to control seizures. Additionally, it is effective in managing neuropathic pain, which makes it a dual-purpose drug in treating both epilepsy and nerve-related pain conditions. The mechanism of action involves modulating the release of excitatory neurotransmitters and affecting calcium channels, which contributes to its efficacy in reducing neuronal excitability.

Ranitidine, while a commonly used medication, is classified as a histamine-2 blocker that treats conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcers, rather than having any role in epilepsy or nerve pain. Albuterol is a bronchodilator primarily used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and does not have applications in seizure control or neuropathic pain treatment. Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic used for the short-term management of insomnia, not for treating seizures or nerve pain. Thus, gabapentin stands out as the correct answer due to its unique position in addressing both epilepsy and neuropathic pain.