Which is stronger lyrica or neurontin

Brand-name medications are often more expensive than generics. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn about the generic form of either drug. Both Lyrica and gabapentin treat partial onset seizures and nerve pain that occurs after shingles. These drugs can cause some of the same side effects, as well as some different ones.

Some of these side effects are mentioned below. For more information about the side effects of the two drugs, see the Lyrica medication guide and the gabapentin drug label. The following lists address some of the most common side effects of each drug and some that both can cause. Most side effects of Lyrica and gabapentin are mild and go away after using either medication for a few weeks.

Be careful with any tasks that require concentration or focus, such as driving, until you become used to the effects of the medication. The following lists address the serious side effects of each drug and those that both drugs can cause. If you have serious side effects while using Lyrica or gabapentin, call your doctor immediately.

Note: For more information about mild and serious side effects, see the side effect sections in the Lyrica and gabapentin articles. There are few studies directly comparing how well Lyrica and gabapentin work.

But studies show that both Lyrica and gabapentin are effective for treating partial onset seizures and nerve pain that occurs after shingles. According to guidelines , Lyrica and gabapentin are recommended for treating partial onset seizures. Other guidelines recommend the two drugs as treatments for nerve pain that occurs after shingles. For information about how the drugs performed in clinical studies, see the Lyrica and gabapentin prescribing information.

Lyrica and gabapentin may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Some are mentioned below. If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors are relevant to you, talk with your doctor before using Lyrica or gabapentin. Note: For more comprehensive information about these two drugs, visit our Lyrica and gabapentin articles.

Lyrica and gabapentin are used to treat some of the same conditions: partial onset seizures and nerve pain that occurs after shingles. The doctor can also explain the risks and benefits and advise about which may be right for you. For more information about partial onset seizures, see our list of epilepsy articles.

To learn more about nerve pain after shingles, see our list of shingles articles. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional.

You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

However, pregabalin may either have an additional system of absorption or be better transported than gabapentin, as it is almost completely absorbed, while gabapentin is not. In addition, absorption of gabapentin is limited to the small intestine, while pregabalin is absorbed throughout the small intestine and extending to the ascending colon.

Gabapentin is more slowly and variably absorbed, with peak plasma concentrations around 3 hours post-dose. Pregabalin is quickly absorbed, with the maximum rate of absorption being 3 times that of gabapentin. It reaches peak blood concentrations within an hour after ingestion. Absorption of gabapentin is saturable, leading to a non-linear pharmacokinetic profile.

As gabapentin doses increase, the area under the curve AUC does not follow proportionally. Unlike gabapentin, absorption of pregabalin is not saturable, and the drug has a linear pharmacokinetic profile. In contrast, the AUC of pregabalin is unaffected by food, though absorption is slower. Distribution of gabapentin and pregabalin is very similar. Neither agent is bound by great extent to any plasma proteins, decreasing the likelihood of drug interactions due to protein binding.

Both have high aqueous solubility, and the volume of distribution of each is similar 0. Drug-drug interactions are unlikely for both pregabalin and gabapentin. Neither pregabalin nor gabapentin is affected by cytochrome CYP drug interactions, as neither drug is metabolized by CYP enzymes.

Agents that decrease small bowel motility can theoretically cause an increase in the absorption of gabapentin, because it is not completely absorbed. Gabapentin is also available in 2 extended-release formulations: a tablet Gralise and a gastro-retentive prodrug, gabapentin enacarbil Horizant.

Both have different pharmacokinetics and are not interchangeable with standard formulations, the original of which is Neurontin. Side effects of these newer formulations are similar to standard formulations.

Gralise is indicated for postherpetic neuralgia and taken as an mg maintenance dose once a day. The AUC of mg of Gralise is slightly less than mg of the standard formulation. In addition, the average maximum concentration Cmax of Gralise is slightly higher than mg of the standard form, and minimum concentration Cmin is slightly lower.

Finally, Tmax is increased in the extended-release form. Horizant is a prodrug of gabapentin indicated for postherpetic neuralgia and restless leg syndrome.

The recommended maintenance dose is mg twice a day. Doses greater than mg daily are not recommended, as side effects increase without a corresponding increase in efficacy. It is absorbed through the small intestine through a proton-linked monocarboxylate transporter MCT Unlike the original formulation, absorption of gabapentin enacarbil is not saturated at high doses, as MCT-1 is expressed in high levels in the intestinal tract.

The drug undergoes near-complete first pass hydrolysis to gabapentin by non-specific carboxylesterases mainly in enterocytes, as well as in the liver to a lessor degree.

Consumption of alcohol increases the release of gabapentin enacarbil from the extended-release tablet. Therefore, alcohol should be avoided when taking Horizant due to increased risk of side effects. Like standard formulations of gabapentin, Gralise and Horizant are not metabolized to an appreciable extent by phase I metabolism, and they are neither a substrate nor an inhibitor of p-glycoprotein. All forms of gabapentin must be adjusted in renal dysfunction, similar to standard formulations.

One review found that these extended-release formulations have similar efficacy to standard ones, and they might also have fewer adverse events. Due to its versatility for different indications, Lyrica can be used to treat neuropathic pain in individuals with fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy. Its bioavailability and absorption characteristics also allow it to have lower doses needed to produce an effect compared to gabapentin.

However, both Lyrica and gabapentin are reported to be equally effective. This information is designed to be educational so that you can compare commonly prescribed medications. It is important to consult with a physician or healthcare provider when deciding what treatment option is best for you.

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