Gabapentin vs Pregabalin: Choose Right Neuropathic Pain Reliever

Neuropathic pain is a common problem that is faced by millions of people all over the world. People who are going through this problem often get prescribed Gabapentin or Pregabalin to get relief. Although both medicines are very helpful in dealing with neuropathic pain and also belong to the same class of medications called gabapentinoids and are classified as anticonvulsants. But at some point, Gabapentin and Pregabalin differ in several aspects in terms of effectiveness, side effects, and mechanism of action. In this article, we will compare Gabapentin vs Pregabalin for nerve pain, their similarities, and their usage and side effects.

Know Briefly About Gabapentin And Pregabalin

Gabapentin and Pregabalin are both anticonvulsants and are mainly prescribed to deal with nerve-related problems. Both are similar structurally, but can also work for other problems.

• Gabapentin: Gabapentin comes under the brand name called Nurotin and is available in tablets to take orally. Apart from nerve-related problems, Gabapentin is prescribed to treat seizure disorders, RLS (Restless legs syndrome), from moderate to severe. It can also be prescribed for anxiety problems.
• Pregabalin: Pregabalin comes under the brand name called Lyrica and Nervigesic and is available in the form of tablets to take orally. It is also a similar medicine, but is specially prescribed for fibromyalgia, a common anxiety disorder, diabetic neuropathy pain, and also prescribed to treat common seizure problems.

What Is The Difference Between Gabapentin And Pregabalin?

Apart from similarities, most people have a question: “Is Gabapentin and Pregabalin the same thing?”The answer to this question you get after this comparison. Gabapentin and Pregabalin have some qualities that make them different. Some of the points on which you can differentiate both are listed below:

Effectiveness

Pregabalin and GAbapentin both work for the same diseases, but studies show that Pregabalin is found to be more effective and faster than Gabapentin with the same amount of dosage. Gabapentin can be as effective as pregabalin but with a higher dosage.

Additional Use

Apart from working same disease, both medications are capable of treating other diseases too, like Pregabalin used to treat anxiety disorders from moderate to severe, and Gabapentin is recommended for treating RLS (Restless legs syndrome) from moderate to severe.

Duration of Effect

Pregabalin’s effect is faster and lasts longer than Gabapentin. You can notice its effect around 20 to 40 minutes and reach its peak effect around 1 to 2 hours after a single dose. This effect can last up to 12 hours in your body, and its half-life is about 6 hours.

Gabapentin’s effect is found to be slower than that of pregabalin. You can notice its effect around 1 to 2 hours and can reach its peak effect around 3 to 5 hours after a single dose. This effect can last up to 7 hours in your body, and its half-life is about 5 to 7 hours.

Gabapentin vs Pregabalin Dosage

Pregabalin is faster and more effective, so it’s advised to take 2 times a day, and it can be taken 3 times if the condition is severe, whereas Gabapentin is advised to take 3 times a day. Gabapentin is always prescribed with little higher dose than Pregabalin. Only in treating the same disease. Follow the health expert’s advice and proper precautions while taking Gabapentin; otherwise, you may experience Gabapentin addiction.

Gabapentin vs Pregabalin Side effects

The side effects of both Gabapentin and Pregabalin are kind of similar. Studies show that pregabalin has fewer chances of getting side effects than Gabapentin. Dizziness and sleepiness are two common side effects of Gabapentin and Pregabalin. Some other side effects you can notice are:

Gabapentin Side Effects

• Swelling
• Weight gain
• Itching
• Headache
• Vision Problem
• Breathing problem

Pregabalin Side Effects

• Chest Pain
• Constipation
• Flu symptoms
• Red eyes
• Skin rash
• Bloating

Similarities Between Gabapentin and Pregabalin

As Gabapentin and Pregabalin belong to the same group of medication, they have some similarities too. They both got approved by the FDA in different years. Gabapentin was approved by the FDA in 1993, whereas Pregabalin was approved by the FDA on 30th December 2004. Also, both carry similar levels of addiction and abuse properties. If you suddenly stop taking the drug, then notice some withdrawal signs, including insomnia, nausea, and anxiety. In the discussion below, some other aspects that make them similar are:

Mechanism of Action

Gabapentin and Pregabalin both work similarly in the CNS (Central Nervous System). They bind the calcium channels, which reduces the flow of calcium to nerve cells. This reduces the excitatory neurons, which are responsible for sharing pain signals from the brain to the body. Specially helps a lot in nerve pain and seizures.

Formulation

Gabapentin and Pregabalin are both available in tablet and liquid form to be taken orally.
Doctors try to prescribe the minimum dosage possible of both medications to avoid unusual side effects.
Both are advised to take multiple time in a day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which is better, Gabapentin or Pregabalin?

Pregabalin is better. Only if treated for the same disease. It works more effectively and faster with the same dosage of Gabapentin. Better results are always noticed with Pregabalin.

Can you take Gabapentin and Pregabalin together?

It basically depends on the condition. For managing severe nerve pain, doctors advise taking them together, but only under medical supervision. Taking both normally can give you unusual side effects.

Are Gabapentin and Pregabalin the same thing?

No, both are different and similar in treating the same disease. As they belong to the same group of medication and work for almost the same disease, but also differ in several aspects and can’t be the same.

Do Gabapentin and Pregabalin work the same way?

In the same disease, they work similarly but not the same. Both work the same inside the CNS, but the absorption rate of Pregabalin is much better than that of Gabapentin. You can notice faster results with Pregabalin.

Is Pregabalin stronger than Gabapentin?

In treating the same disease, Pregabalin is kind of stronger. It works faster and more effectively than Gabapentin with the same amount of dosage. But ensure you avoid high dosages or taking long periods that may cause risks of prescription drug addiction. Gabapentin needs more amount of dosage to work the same as pregabalin.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Gabapentin and Pregabalin are both prescribed to deal with neurological problem and both are capable of treating additional medical problems. They belong to the same group of medications called gabapentinoids. It is available in tablet or capsule form to be taken orally. Gabapentin comes under the brand name called Nurotine, and Pregabalin comes under the brand name called Lyrica and Nervigesic. As both are similar and work similarly, Pregabalin is found to be more effective and faster than Gabapentin and has fewer chances of getting side effects.