Author: onlinegabapentin

Gabapentin Interactions

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs across multiple indications in either monotherapy or adjunctive therapy for a median treatment duration of 12 weeks (up to a maximum of 24 weeks) showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo.

The estimated rate of suicidal behavior or ideation among 27,863 AED-treated patients was 0.43%, compared to 0.24% for 16,029 placebo-treated patients, representing an increase of approximately one case for every 530 patients treated. There were four suicides in AED-treated patients and none in placebo-treated patients, although the number is too small to establish any causal relationship.

The increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior was observed as early as one week after starting AEDs and persisted for the duration of treatment assessed. The risk did not vary substantially by age (5 to 100 years) in the clinical trials analyzed. Therapy with AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. For clinically significant or persistent symptoms, a dosage reduction or treatment withdrawal should be considered.

If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, treatment should be discontinued.

Medications known to interact with gabapentin

Note: Showing generic names only.


Include all brand names and combination drug names.

      • acetylcarbromal
      • alfentanil
      • alprazolam
      • aluminum hydroxide
      • amitriptyline
      • amobarbital
      • amoxapine
      • apomorphine
      • apraclonidine ophthalmic
      • aripiprazole
      • asenapine
      • azatadine
B
      • baclofen
      • benztropine
      • biperiden
      • brexanolone
      • brexpiprazole
      • brimonidine ophthalmic
      • brimonidine topical
      • brivaracetam
      • bromocriptine
      • brompheniramine
      • buprenorphine
      • buspirone
      • butabarbital
      • butalbital
      • butorphanol
C
      • cannabidiol
      • cannabis
      • carbamazepine
      • carbetapentane
      • carbinoxamine
      • cariprazine
      • carisoprodol
      • cenobamate
      • cetirizine
      • chlophedianol
      • chloral hydrate
      • chlordiazepoxide
      • chlormezanone
      • chloroquine
      • chlorphenesin
      • chlorpheniramine
      • chlorpromazine
      • chlorzoxazone
      • cimetidine
      • citalopram
      • clemastine
      • clobazam
      • clomipramine
      • clonidine
      • clorazepate
      • clozapine
      • codeine
      • colesevelam
      • cyclobenzaprine
      • cyproheptadine
D
      • dantrolene
      • desipramine
      • desvenlafaxine
      • deutetrabenazine
      • dexbrompheniramine
      • dexmedetomidine
      • dextromethorphan
      • dezocine
      • dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate
      • diphenhydramine
      • divalproex sodium
      • doxepin
      • doxepin topical
      • doxylamine
      • dronabinol
      • droperidol
      • duloxetine
E
  • entacapone
  • escitalopram
  • esketamine
  • eslicarbazepine
  • estazolam
  • eszopiclone
  • ethanol
  • evening primrose
  • ezogabine
F
  • felbamate
  • fentanyl
  • flavoxate
  • flibanserin
  • fluoxetine
  • fluphenazine
  • flurazepam
  • fluvoxamine
  • fosphenytoin
G
  • ginkgo
H
  • halazepam
  • haloperidol
  • heroin
  • hydrocodone
  • hydromorphone
  • hydroxychloroquine
  • hydroxyzine
I
  • iloperidone
  • imipramine
  • isocarboxazid
K
  • kava
  • ketamine
L
      • lamotrigine
      • lasmiditan
      • lemborexant
      • levocetirizine
      • levomethadyl acetate
      • levomilnacipran
      • levorphanol
      • lithium
      • lofexidine
      • loxapine
      • lumateperone
      • lurasidone
M
  • magaldrate
  • magnesium carbonate
  • magnesium hydroxide
  • magnesium oxide
  • maprotiline
  • mefloquine
  • meperidine
  • meprobamate
  • mesoridazine
  • metaxalone
  • methadone
  • methocarbamol
  • metoclopramide
  • metyrosine
  • midazolam
  • milnacipran
  • mirtazapine
  • molindone
  • morphine
  • morphine liposomal
N
  • nabilone
  • nalbuphine
  • nefazodone
  • nortriptyline
O
  • olanzapine
  • oliceridine
  • olopatadine nasal
  • opicapone
  • opium
  • orphenadrine
  • oxazepam
  • oxcarbazepine
  • oxycodone
  • oxymorphone
P
      • paliperidone
      • paraldehyde
      • paroxetine
      • pemoline
      • pentazocine
      • pentobarbital
      • perampanel
      • pergolide
      • perphenazine
      • phenelzine
      • phenobarbital
      • phenytoin
      • pimozide
      • pramipexole
      • pregabalin
      • primidone
      • prochlorperazine
      • procyclidine
      • promazine
      • promethazine
      • propiomazine
      • propoxyphene
      • protriptyline
      • pyrilamine
Q
  • quazepam
  • quetiapine
R
  • ramelteon
  • rasagiline
  • remifentanil
  • risperidone
  • ropinirole
  • rotigotine
  • rufinamide
S
  • secobarbital
  • sertraline
  • sibutramine
  • sodium oxybate
  • st. john’s wort
  • stiripentol
  • sufentanil
  • suvorexant
T
      • tapentadol
      • tasimelteon
      • temazepam
      • tetrabenazine
      • thalidomide
      • thioridazine
      • thiothixene
      • tizanidine
      • tolcapone
      • tramadol
      • tranylcypromine
      • trazodone
      • triazolam
      • trifluoperazine
      • triflupromazine
      • trihexyphenidyl
      • trimeprazine
      • trimethobenzamide
      • trimipramine
      • tripelennamine
      • triprolidine
V
  • valbenazine
  • valerian
  • venlafaxine
  • vigabatrin
  • vilazodone
  • vortioxetine
Z
  • zaleplon
  • ziconotide
  • ziprasidone
  • zolpidem

Gabapentin alcohol/food interactions

There is 1 alcohol/food interaction with gabapentin

Gabapentin disease interactions

There are 4 disease interactions with gabapentin which include:

      • drug dependence
      • renal dysfunction
      • suicidal tendency
      • hemodialysis

Where to Buy the Cheapest and Reliable Gabapentin online ?

Where to Buy the Cheapest and Reliable Gabapentin online ?

Buy Fioricet Online

Product Name Price Shipping Total Order
Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine (Generic Fioricet )- 50/325/40 mg- 90 Tabs $169 free $169 Order
Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine (Generic Fioricet )- 50/325/40 mg- 120 Tabs $199 free $199 Order
Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine (Generic Fioricet )- 50/325/40 mg- 180 Tabs $239 free $239 Order

We provide the cheapest Gabapentin online

Product Name Price Shipping Total Order
Gabapentin 800mg – 180 Tabs $188 free $189 Order
Gabapentin 800mg – 120 Tabs $179 free $179 Order
Gabapentin 600mg 180 tabs $178 free $179 Order
Gabapentin 400mg 180 tabs $169 free $169 Order
Gabapentin 300mg 180 tabs $159 free $159 Order

Why is Gabapentin prescribed?

Gabapentin capsules, tablets, and oral solution are used to help control certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy. Gabapentin capsules, tablets, and oral solution are also used to relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN; the burning, stabbing pain or aches that may last for months or years after an attack of shingles). Gabapentin extended-release tablets (Horizant) are used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS; a condition that causes discomfort in the legs and a strong urge to move the legs, especially at night and when sitting or lying down). Gabapentin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. Gabapentin treats seizures by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. Gabapentin relieves the pain of PHN by changing the way the body senses pain. It is not known exactly how gabapentin works to treat restless legs syndrome.

What is the recommended dosage of Gabapentin?

The dosage of Gabapentin prescribed to each patient will vary. Always follow your physician’s instructions and/or the directions on the prescription drug label. Gabapentin can be taken with or without food.

What if you miss a dose of Gabapentin?

If your physician has instructed or directed you to take Gabapentin medication in a regular schedule and you have missed a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the doses unless otherwise directed.

What if you overdose on Gabapentin?

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose of Gabapentin, seek medical attention immediately.

What other drugs could interact with Gabapentin?

  • Hydrocodone
  • Morphine
  • Naproxen
It may be noted that drugs other than those listed above may also interact with Gabapentin. Usually drug interactions occur when it is taken with another drug or with food. Before you take a medication for a particular ailment, you should inform the health expert about intake of any other medications including non-prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines that may increase the effect of Gabapentin, and dietary supplements like vitamins, minerals and herbal, so that the doctor can warn you of any possible drug interactions. Do let your doctor know if you smoke, consume alcohol or caffeinated drinks, or use illegal drugs as these may interfere with the action of your medication. Make sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions you may have, or any family history of medical problems. Do not start or stop using any medicine without consulting your doctor.

What are the side effects of Gabapentin?

Like other medicines, Gabapentin can cause some side effects. If they do occur, the side effects of Gabapentin are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and may require the individual to inform the doctor or visit the nearest hospital immediately. It is pertinent to note that side effects of Gabapentin cannot be anticipated. If any side effects of Gabapentin develop or change in intensity, the doctor should be informed as soon as possible. Gabapentin can cause side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and dry mouth. This is not a complete list of all side effects. Do concur with your doctor and follow his directions completely when you are taking Gabapentin.

OnlineGabapentin are the Cheapest and Reliable Gabapentin Online Provider

All Pharmacies associated with onlinegabapentin.com are licensed to distribute in the states, you can be 100% sure to receive the same quality medication that you get from your local drug stores. All the doctors and pharmacists are licensed in USA. We have a lot of pharmacies in different States.  They are all us licensed pharmacies and never sell controlled substances. We can always arrange you a suitable pharmacy to distribute your orders. Upon receiving a valid prescription of the product you buy. Our US licensed pharmacies will fill a prescription for a medication that is FDA approved. To assure confidentiality and privacy our US licensed Pharmacy will fill and ship your prescription in a discreet package. We will send you order ID and tracking ID together within two business days after you placed your orders. But It is beyond our control after I sent you order ID and tracking ID. We verify all new customer orders by your email, address, birthday, and phone number. So new customers may need more days to get your orders ( 7-10 business days). After we have successfully received your first COD order Money orders, We will tell you our returned customer website and all your information will be sent to the pharmacies directly. As soon as the doctors receive your orders, they begin to work on it. We pay doctor review fee for each prescription. Once the doctor review your orders, they will be sent to the pharmacists. Your health conditions will be sent to both doctors and the pharmacists. So please complete the form very honestly. We will send you tracking ID once your USPS tracking Label is printed.

What We cannot Do?

1. We cannot guarantee the medication brand; 2. We cannot cancel your order after it is placed in the pharm portal; 3. We cannot do overnight shipping or Fedex shipping; 4. We cannot answer your email about your order ID or tracking ID because we will send or have already sent it to you once we get it; 5. We cannot speed up your order or ask USPS to ship faster. 1,2,3,5 are beyond our control. 4 is useless and wastes both your and our time.

Refill day Limitation

All the pharmacies have 23 day refill day limitation. They will not send you order if you are in its 23 day refill day limitation. The date is begin from the date of doctor’s review normally one day before your order shipping day. We cannot send you tracking ID if your order is within your refill day period. We may share the same warehouse with other online pharmacy websites. If you order from other source (even from some call centers), the pharmacy still count your refill period from the day the doctor review of other source prescription.

Blacklist

We are only website operators and not the pharmacy. The pharmacy will charge from us when they ship your order no matter you receive it or not. If you refuse the order, the pharmacy will charge extra disposal fee for that prescription because the law does not allow it to be redistributed. What we can do is to blacklist the customers who refuse the order after they click “Place order Now” link. We only do business with responsible and reputable customers. Some bad guy sent us bounced checks or money orders. We will blacklist them without any hesitate because we have to pay the pharm their drug fee plus disposal fee, and we have to pay the processor fine too. All the blacklisted order will be sent to black-hole and we even do not know it happens.

What are the questions to ask your doctor before taking Gabapentin?

    • Is it possible for me to take Gabapentin with other drugs?
    • Should certain beverages, foods and other products be avoided when I take Gabapentin?
    • What are the possible drug interactions of Gabapentin?
    • How will Gabapentin work in my body?
    • How should Gabapentin be taken?
    • How to reduce the risk of Gabapentin drug interactions and side effects?

What are Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms

Even those who take gabapentin as prescribed may develop some physical dependence; however, those who misuse it or abuse it recreationally may experience significant levels of dependence and withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit or slow its use.

There are documented cases of withdrawal symptoms in people who took daily doses between 400mg to 8000mg for at least 3 weeks.

The gabapentin withdrawal syndrome may resemble some of the symptoms of alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal. This similarity may be due to the fact that gabapentin and these other substances all act on gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

The primary withdrawal symptoms associated with gabapentin use include:

      • Anxiety.
      • Agitation.
      • Insomnia.
      • Fatigue.
      • Restlessness.
      • Irritability.
      • Dizziness.
      • Headache.
      • Sensitivity to light.
      • Sweating.
      • Irregular heartbeat.
      • Nausea.
      • Pain.

In addition, people who are taking gabapentin for seizures and suddenly stop taking it may experience a rebound in or increased frequency of seizure activity, including continuous, uncontrollable seizures (status epilepticus).

Withdrawal usually occurs within 12 hours to 7 days after quitting the medication. Though a withdrawal timeline hasn’t been clearly documented, some studies have noted symptoms that last up to 10 days.

Factors that can affect withdrawal include:

      • Age.
      • Dose.
      • Length of use.
      • Medical or mental health problems.
      • Concurrent use of other drugs or alcohol.

 In some cases, individuals who are at risk of or are already displaying severe withdrawal symptoms may require intensive inpatient monitoring and medical withdrawal management if complications arise.

Experts recommend gradually smaller doses of gabapentin to safely and comfortably wean a person off the medication. Such tapering schedules are commonly used with medications like gabapentin that have the potential to produce adverse withdrawal effects when being discontinued.

Gabapentin use can be phased out over a period of one week, but the exact schedule will depend on the person’s particular situation. Slower tapers may allow for a safer discontinuation of the drug. Experts recommend reducing the daily dose at a maximum rate of 300mg every 4 days.

Nerve Drug Gabapentin Might Curb Spinal Cord Damage, Mouse Study Suggests

The drug prevented harmful structural changes in injured spinal cords, as well as cardiovascular changes and immune suppression caused by spinal cord injury, according to the study.

“Gabapentin is often prescribed as a treatment for pain, but if it is given early after injury — before symptoms develop — it can also limit structural changes in nerve cells. We show that these benefits remain even one month after stopping gabapentin treatment in spinal-injured mice,” said study co-author Phillip Popovich, chair of neuroscience at Ohio State University.

The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary processes such as heart rate and blood pressure.

“Autonomic dysfunction is a major problem for people living with a spinal cord injury. The cardiovascular complications can lead to severe morbidities like heart attack and stroke while long-term immune suppression can lead to serious recurrent infections like pneumonia,” said Popovich.

Currently, these symptoms can only be managed.  There is no treatment.

“This is the first time a treatment has been shown to prevent the development of autonomic dysfunction, rather than manage the symptoms caused by autonomic dysfunction. In response to stress or danger, autonomic nerve cells in the spinal cord trigger a ‘fight or flight’ response. This is a normal and helpful response that increases blood pressure and releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol,” said study lead author Faith Brennan, a research scientist at Ohio State.

But after a spinal cord injury, major structural changes occur within spinal autonomic nerve centers that control the fight or flight response, resulting in uncontrolled autonomic reflexes.

For example, normally harmless processes, such as the bladder filling, can trigger an uncontrolled fight or flight response that can lead to health problems such as severe high blood pressure, slowed heart rate and long-term immune suppression.

“The possibility of repurposing gabapentin … to prevent the development of autonomic dysfunction could significantly improve the quality of life for individuals living with spinal cord injuries, including greater independence in society, reduced caregiver reliance, reduced infection susceptibility and increased life expectancy,” Brennan said in the release.

However, research on animals does not always produce the same results in humans.

The study was published online Jan. 26 in the journal Cell Reports.

Sources

  • Ohio State University, news release, Jan. 26, 2021

Does Gabapentin Cause Constipation?

Gabapentin may cause constipation, but it is not a common side effect. In clinical trials of adults taking gabapentin for nerve pain, only about 4% of people reported constipation. Some people in these trials took an inactive medicine (placebo).

About 2% of people taking a placebo also reported constipation, so the actual percentage of people with constipation while taking gabapentin is probably less than 4%.

In clinical trials of people aged 12 and over taking gabapentin for seizure disorder, about 2% reported constipation as a side effect. Out of people taking a placebo, 1% also reported constipation.

In the clinical trials of gabapentin to treat nerve pain in adults, the most common side effects were:

      • Dizziness
      • Sleepiness
      • Swelling in the hands or feet (peripheral edema)

In clinical trials of people older than 12 taking gabapentin to treat a seizure disorder, the most common side effects were sleepiness and clumsiness (ataxia).

Thoughts of death or suicide is another rare but important side effect of gabapentin, occurring in about 1 in 500 people. These thoughts can happen within one week of starting gabapentin. Call your doctor right away if you have any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or any of these symptoms:

      • Thoughts about suicide or dying
      • Suicide attempt
      • Depression, new or worsening
      • Anxiety, new or worsening
      • Panic attacks

In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added another important warning about gabapentin: When this drug is taken with opioid pain medication or used by a person with chronic lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it may cause severe and possibly fatal difficulty breathing (respiratory depression). Before starting gabapentin, let your doctor know if you are taking any opioid drug, or if you have been diagnosed with a lung disease.

Even if you have side effects from gabapentin, it is important not to stop taking it suddenly on your own. This medication must be reduced over time (tapered) by your doctor. Stopping suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as:

      • Anxiety
      • Insomnia
      • Nausea
      • Pain

If you are taking gabapentin to control seizures, stopping suddenly may increase your risk of a seizure.

How Long Does Gabapentin Withdrawal Last?

ase reports have shown that gabapentin withdrawal can last for up to 5 days or longer, but the duration has not been well established in human studies. The symptoms and how long they last depend on how much of the drug you are taking and for how long you’ve been taking it.

Gabapentin withdrawal is not a common problem unless you are abusing the drug.

Abuse means taking gabapentin in higher than prescribed amounts and taking it for reasons not intended by your doctor.

A study on gabapentin abuse from 1993 through 2015 showed that people who experienced withdrawal were taking an average of 3,000 mg (600 to 8,000 mg) of gabapentin per day, but some case reports mention withdrawal symptoms at 400 mg per day.

What happens when you suddenly stop taking gabapentin?

If you are taking gabapentin at a normal dose prescribed by your doctor and you don’t have a history of substance abuse, you are less likely to have withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it.

Higher doses and a history of substance problems pose more risk for abuse. You can start to build up a tolerance to the drug, and you may need to take even more of it to get the desired effect. This is called physical dependence.

Your brain cells (neurons) become dependent on a high dose of the drug for normal functioning. When the drug is stopped, your brain becomes temporarily disorganized. If you start to feel that you need more of the drug to function, stopping suddenly is more likely to lead to withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms may start within 12 hours or take up to 7 days to begin after stopping suddenly. Symptoms commonly include:

  • Restlessness (agitation)
  • Disorientation
  • Confusion

Various case reports describe these other symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal:

  • Headache
  • Body/stomach pain
  • Anxiety
  • Heart palpitations
  • Sweating
  • Muscle twitching
  • Light sensitivity
  • Restless limb movements
  • Nervousness

What is the treatment for gabapentin withdrawal?

There are no approved medications to treat gabapentin withdrawal. The only reliable treatment is to slowly taper the drug under the supervision of your doctor, usually a substance abuse specialist. Sometimes gabapentin is restarted to ease withdrawal symptoms before tapering off.

There is no evidence to show that other drugs or supplements — such as magnesium or CBD oil — are helpful in treating withdrawal symptoms.

Most case reports show that withdrawal patients went back onto gabapentin to relieve their symptoms. But there may be unreported cases of gabapentin withdrawal, as not everyone seeks treatment.

How can I avoid gabapentin withdrawal?

The best way to avoid gabapentin withdrawal is to only take the drug in the dose prescribed by your doctor for its approved uses.

Gabapentin is a prescription medication approved to treat certain types of seizures and nerve pain that follows a herpes infection (postherpetic neuralgia). A long-acting form is used to treat restless legs syndrome. The most common brand name is Neurontin.

Gabapentin is also prescribed and used for unapproved reasons. These are called off-label uses. Off-label uses for gabapentin include:

  • Substance abuse treatment
  • Migraine headaches
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Mental health disorders
  • Insomnia

People with a history of drug or alcohol abuse may be at increased risk for:

  • Tolerance
  • Self-dose escalation
  • Drug-seeking behavior
  • Withdrawal symptoms

Does Gabapentin Cause Impotence ?

Unfortunately gabapentin can cause impotence.

Side effects of the Urogenital System:

Infrequent: urinary tract infection, dysuria, impotence, urinary incontinence, vaginal moniliasis, breast pain, menstrual disorder, polyuria, urinary retention

Rare: cystitis, ejaculation abnormal, swollen penis, gynecomastia, nocturia, pyelonephritis, swollen scrotum, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, urine abnormality.

Talk to your doctor about coming off gabapentin and he/she could put you on some other medicine to help the pain. You don’t have to ween off gabapentin but please get your doctor to monitor you once you are off.

Does gabapentin cause weight gain?

Gabapentin may cause weight gain, but it is a rare side effect.

Studies have shown that a small number of people taking gabapentin, a drug used to treat epilepsy and postherpetic neuralgia, experienced weight gain. People who do gain weight may gain about 5 pounds after 6 weeks of use.

  • In people with epilepsy, weight gain occurred in 3% of people older than 12 years of age who were taking gabapentin (compared to 2% of people taking the placebo). Weight gain was also seen at a similar rate in pediatric epilepsy patients who were 3 to 12 years old.
  • In people with postherpetic neuralgia, 2% of patients taking gabapentin experienced weight gain. No weight gain was found among people taking the placebo.

The cause of weight gain with gabapentin is likely due to increased appetite. You may be hungry more often. In some cases, weight gain may be due to fluid retention, another side effect of gabapentin. Another possible cause is not getting enough exercise if gabapentin is causing fatigue.

Some ways to avoid weight gain include:

  • Eating a healthy and balanced diet
  • Eating smaller portion sizes
  • Avoiding high-calorie snacks and desserts like chips, pastries and sweets
  • Eating low-calorie snacks like fruits and vegetables to manage hunger
  • Getting regular exercise

Swelling from fluid retention may be reduced by:

  • Sitting with your feet raised
  • Avoiding standing for long periods of time

If gabapentin is causing you to gain weight, do not stop taking this drug on your own. Stopping the drug suddenly can lead to serious problems, especially if you are taking gabapentin for seizures. Abruptly stopping a seizure medicine can cause seizures that won’t stop.

Weight gain is one of many possible side effects. The most common side effects with gabapentin include:

  • Clumsiness
  • Viral infection
  • Sleepiness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Speaking difficulties
  • Tremor
  • Swelling, usually involving the legs and feet
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Movements that are jerky
  • Coordination difficulties
  • Double vision
  • Unusual eye movement

Lyrica vs Gabapentin: What’s the difference?

Both Lyrica and gabapentin are used as anti-epileptic medications and to treat nerve pain.

But there are several differences between them. The main differences between Lyrica and gabapentin are:

  • Lyrica is a brand name for pregabalin. Gabapentin is the generic name for gabapentin. Gabapentin is not the same as pregabalin, even though they both belong to the same class of medicine, called gabapentinoids, and work similarly
  • Lyrica and Lyrica CR are the only brands of pregabalin. Brand names for gabapentin include Gralise, Horizant, and Neurontin
  • Lyrica and gabapentin are not interchangeable (you cannot switch between them without your doctor’s advice). Even some brands of gabapentin are not interchangeable, for example, gabapentin enacarbil (brand name Horizant) is not interchangeable with Gralise
  • Lyrica may also be used to treat neuropathic (nerve) pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia, spinal cord injury, and fibromyalgia. Gabapentin may also be used to treat nerve pain caused by shingles (herpes zoster) and gabapentin enacarbil, brand name Horizant, is also approved for restless legs syndrome (RLS). Gabapentin may also be used for off-label conditions as well
  • Lyrica is more likely than gabapentin to cause side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, swelling (edema), breast enlargement, or weight gain
  • Gabapentin is more likely than Lyrica to cause side effects such as difficulty speaking, fever, an increased risk of viral infections, unusual eye movements, or jerky movements
  • Lyrica is absorbed faster and starts working more quickly than gabapentin. Lyrica reaches its peak concentrations within an hour of being taken, whereas it takes 3 to 4 hours for gabapentin to reach its peak concentration
  • There is some evidence that Lyrica may have a higher addiction potential than gabapentin due to its faster absorption and onset of action
  • Although both drugs have similar interactions, gabapentin may also interact with NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac.

Because Lyrica and gabapentin belong to the same class of medicine (gabapentinoids), they have many similarities, for example:

  • A shared mechanism of action (way they work), although experts are not exactly what this is but suggest it is through binding to certain pathways in the nervous system. Even though both are structurally like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), they do not bind to GABA or benzodiazepine receptors
  • Both Lyrica and gabapentin have been associated with misuse and in some countries are classified as controlled substances (but not in the U.S.)
  • Some side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, loss of balance or coordination, problems with memory or concentration, tremors, and vision problems (blurred vision or double vision) have been reported with both medicines
  • Both Lyrica and gabapentin have been associated with withdrawal syndromes on discontinuation.