Difference Between Lyrica Pregabalin And Neurontin Gabapentin (With Table)

Lyrica pregabalin is marketed under the brand name Pregabalin. Lyrica is used to relieve postherpetic neuralgia and partial-onset seizures, but it is also used to heal diabetic peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Lyrica is a prescription medication for persons aged 18 and up. Lyrica is not known to be safe or effective in youngsters.

Neurontin Gabapentin is commonly prescribed as gabapentin. Neurontin is often used to control seizures in children and adults over the age of three. Neurontin is used to alleviate neuropathic pain (nerve pain) produced by the herpes virus or shingles in adults (herpes zoster). Optimum concentrations in the bloodstream occur about 3 hours after ingestion.

Comparison Table Between Lyrica Pregabalin And Neurontin Gabapentin

What is Lyrica Pregabalin?

Lyrica Pregabalin is a pain reliever that is being used to alleviate partial-onset seizures in adults 30 days of age or older to treat partial-onset seizures when combined with other seizure medications. Lyrica has not yet been verified to be a secure and reliable medicine among kids under the age of one month.

Lyrica has a bioavailability of more than 90% and is available as oral capsules in the following strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg, and 300 mg. It’s also available in a 20 mg/mL oral solution.

Lyrica is much more likely to provoke adverse symptoms including dry mouth, constipation, swelling (edoema), breast enlargement, or excess weight gain. Increased hunger, flu-like symptoms, gas and bloating, back pain, headache, constipation, wheezing, chest discomfort, memory issues, rash, and other adverse effects are possible.

Together with its advantages, this medicine may, on rare occasions, result in inappropriate drug-seeking behavior (addiction). Whether you have previously misused alcohol or drugs, one’s risk may be elevated. To reduce the danger of addiction, one should take this medicine precisely as directed. Lyrica Pregabalin withdrawal symptoms include nausea, sweating, anxiety, sleep difficulties, diarrhea, and headaches.

Lyrica Pregabalin has also been authorized to cure epilepsy and post-herpetic neuropathy. It can also cure neuropathy (nerve) pain due to diabetes (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) as well as fibromyalgia pain.

What is Neurontin Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is an anti-seizure (anti-convulsant) prescription drug used to treat seizures and alleviate post-herpetic neuralgia, the pain that occurs after shingles. It also has a lower bioavailability than Lyrica. As a result, dosage may become more varied in terms of providing the intended effect. Drug interactions, on the other hand, are not an issue owing to renal clearance.

Gabapentin capsules and tablets are available in strengths of 100 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg.  A 250 mg/5 mL oral solution is also available. Gabapentin’s chemical formula is C9H17NO2, and its molecular weight is 171.24.

Gabapentin is much more likely to produce adverse effects such as trouble speaking, fever, an elevated risk of viral infections, odd eye tracking, or jerky movements than Lyrica. It is neither an opioid drug nor is it a prohibited substance according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Unfortunately, this medicine exhibits signs and symptoms similar to those linked with drug abuse, addiction, and opioid withdrawal symptoms. Insomnia, dizziness, sleepiness, exhaustion, lack of control over muscular movements, vomiting, and other withdrawal symptoms of Neurontin Gabapentin are common.

Gabapentin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, tremors, headache, ear discomfort, impaired coordination, blurred vision, weight gain, increased appetite, shortness of breath, rash, seizures, memory issues, dry mouth, and other adverse effects. Combining Neurontin with other medicines that produce drowsiness or sluggish breathing might result in serious adverse effects or death.

Main Differences Between Lyrica Pregabalin And Neurontin Gabapentin

1. Lyrica Pregabalin gets absorbed in within an hour whereas Neurontin Gabapentin takes at least 3 to 4 hours.
2. Lyrica Pregabalin has a greater potency than that of Neurontin Gabapentin that has a lower potency.
3. Lyrica Pregabalin is prescribed once or twice per day, whereas Neurontin Gabapentin is prescribed three times or more per day.
4. Lyrica Pregabalin capsules range in strength from 25 mg to 50 mg, 75 mg to 100 mg, 150 mg to 200 mg, 225 mg to 300 mg, whereas Neurontin Gabapentin capsules are available in 100, 300, and 400 mg.
5. In terms of drug interactions, Lyrica Pregabalin has no significant interactions, however Neurontin Gabapentin has drug interactions with morphine, Maalox, and hydrocodone.
6. Lyrica Pregabalin is more costly, whilst Neurontin Gabapentin is less expensive.
7. Lyrica Pregabalin is recommended for Neuropathic pain and Fibromyalgia whereas Neurontin Gabapentin is recommended for Neuropathic pain, restless leg syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome

Conclusion

Lyrica Pregabalin and Neurontin Gabapentin are two drugs that are being used to alleviate neuropathic pain. Even though they are both anticonvulsants with identical chemical structures, one may be favored over the other.

Lyrica can be utilized to treat neuropathic pain in people with fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy due to its adaptability for numerous reasons. When compared to gabapentin, its bioavailability and absorption qualities allow it to have lower dosages required to generate an impact. Lyrica and gabapentin, on the other hand, are said to be similarly effective. The DEA has classed Lyrica as a controlled drug, which is a significant distinction between it and gabapentin.

References

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1742-7843.2010.00590.x
2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00228-008-0523-5