Gabapentin and pregabalin are similar drugs but differ in several distinct ways.
Gabapentin and pregabalin are FDA-approved to treat some of the same conditions, includingpostherpetic neuralgiain adults.
Pregabalin is approved for additional uses, includingfibromyalgiaandnerve painin certain adults.
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Healthcare providers commonly prescribe these medications for off-label uses (non-FDA-approved uses) as well, such asanxiety disorders.
Examples of off-label uses include:
Gabapentin and pregabalin belong to the same drug class known as anticonvulsants.
This drug class is also calledantiepileptic drugs (AEDs)or simply seizure medications.
These medications work by mimicking the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
As such, pregabalin comes in lower strength than gabapentin.
(See the Administration section below for more details comparing their strengths and dosages.)
Another difference is that gabapentin has been around longer.
The FDA initially approved gabapentin in 1993 as the brand Neurontin.
Later, gabapentin also became available in extended-release (ER) formulations, such as Gralise.
The FDA approved pregabalin, sold under the brand name Lyrica, in 2004.
An ER version of pregabalin, Lyrica CR, is also available.
Administration: Pregabalin vs. Gabapentin
This section describes the typical dosing information for pregabalin and gabapentin.
Be sure to follow your healthcare providers instructions.
Your healthcare provider will give you a lower dose when you start treatment with either drug.
From there, theyll increase the amount until they find the dosage that works for you.
For this use, pregabalin dosage depends on the childs body weight.
The drug is used in children ages 1 month and older.
Its typically prescribed in combination with other seizure medications.
A healthcare provider can supply information about the pediatric dosage of pregabalin.
Pregabalin may be prescribed for other uses that are considered off-label.
Conversely, a healthcare provider can give you more details about pregabalin dosage for off-label uses.
The drug may be prescribed for children ages 3 years and older.
A healthcare provider can provide more details about the pediatric dosage of gabapentin.
Other available versions of gabapentin are Gralise and Horizant.
These brands come in ER forms that are usually taken once a day.
Gabapentin is commonly prescribed for other uses that are considered off-label.
Warning
You shouldnt suddenly stop taking gabapentin or pregabalin.
Some of the trial findings are explained below.
However, other studies have shown that pregabalin was not any better than gabapentin in reducing the frequency ofseizures.
However, another study found gabapentin to be superior to pregabalin for the treatment forchronic sciatica.
However, the trial found that pregabalin was more effective for pain reduction.
Consult a healthcare provider if your current medication isnt helping your symptoms.
They can determine if a different dose or another drug would be more effective.
Which Drug Lasts Longer?
The chart below compares the half-life of gabapentin and pregabalin.
In general, ER versions of drugs require less frequent dosing than IR forms.
Brand names of gabapentin include Neurontin,Gralise,and Horizant.
Horizant is an ER tablet that contains gabapentin enacarbil and is approved to treatrestless legs syndromeand postherpetic neuralgia.
The brand name of pregabalin IR is Lyrica;an extended-release version is Lyrica CR.
Before starting gabapentin or pregabalin, talk to a healthcare provider about your health history.
Interactions: Pregabalin vs. Gabapentin
Pregabalin can interact with alcohol as well as other drugs.
Examples include:
Gabapentin can also interact with alcohol as well as other drugs.
Regarding safety, pregabalin is a controlled substance; gabapentin is not.
Both drugs are used to treat certain types ofnerve-related painin adults.
Theyre also both used to treat seizures in adults and children.
Talk to a healthcare provider to determine if one of these medications may be right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The storage requirements for pregabalin and gabapentin depend on the form of the drug.
Both drugs' oral tablets and capsule documents should be stored at room temperature.
Additionally, keep all medications out of the reach of children and pets.
Pregabalin is a Schedule V controlled substance that carries risks of misuse, abuse, oraddiction.
Gabapentin is not considered a controlled substance.
The term painkiller is often used to describeopioidpain medications such ascodeine.
Pregabalin and gabapentin arenotopioids.
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