Neurontin vs. Tramadol

• Are Neurontin and Tramadol the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Neurontin? (Side effects)
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Tramadol? (Side effects)
• What is Neurontin? (Uses)
• What is Tramadol? (Uses)
• What Drugs Interact with Neurontin? (Interactions)
• What Drugs Interact with Tramadol? (Interactions)
• How Should Neurontin Be Taken? (Dosage)
• How Should Tramadol Be Taken? (Dosage)

Neurontin (gabapentin) and tramadol are used to treat different types of pain.

Common side effects of Neurontin include:

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• unsteadiness,
• memory loss,
• lack of coordination,
• difficulty speaking,
• viral infections,
• tremors,
• double vision,
• fever,
• unusual eye movements, and
• jerky movements.

Common side effects of Tramadol include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• sweating,
• trouble sleeping,
• dry mouth,
• fatigue,
• loss of appetite,
• lightheadedness,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• drowsiness,
• headache,
• diarrhea,
• itching or skin rash,
• vision problems,
• joint pain, and
• weakness.

Neurontin is a prescription medicine used to treat:

• Pain from damaged nerves (postherpetic pain) that follows healing of shingles (a painful rash that comes after a herpes zoster infection) in adults.
• Partial seizures when taken together with other medicines in adults and children 3 years of age and older with seizures.

Tramadol is a prescription medicine that is is indicated for the management of moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in adults who require around-the-clock treatment of their pain for an extended period of time.

Tramadol is available under these brand names: ConZip, Rybix ODT, Ryzolt, Ultram, Ultram ER

Do Not take Neurontin if you are allergic to gabapentin or any of the other ingredients in Neurontin. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Neurontin.

Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you sleepy or dizzy while taking Neurontin without first talking with your healthcare provider. Taking Neurontin with alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness or dizziness may make your sleepiness or dizziness worse. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Neurontin affects you. Neurontin can slow your thinking and motor skills.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Taking Neurontin with certain other medicines can cause side effects or affect how well they work. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

• Tramadol is for oral use only and should be swallowed whole. The capsule should not be chewed, dissolved, crushed or split.
• Tramadol may cause seizures and/or serotonin syndrome with concomitant use of serotonergic agents (including SRIs, NRIs, and triptans) or drugs that significantly reduce the metabolic clearance of tramadol.
• Not to change the prescribed single-dose or 24-hour dosing regimen of Tramadol, and that exceeding the prescribed dose can result in respiratory depression, seizures or death.
• Tramadol may impair mental or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery.
• Tramadol should not be taken with alcohol containing beverages.
• Tramadol should be used with caution when taking medications such as tranquilizers, hypnotics or other opiate containing analgesics.
• Instruct female patients to inform the prescriber if they are pregnant, think they might become pregnant, or are trying to become pregnant.
• Tramadol is to be taken once-a-day and at approximately the same time every day. Also, exceeding these recommendations and the maximum recommended daily dose can result in respiratory depression, seizures or death.
• Elderly patients, especially those over 75 years of age, and other patients who have renal or hepatic impairments may need to be cautioned about reduced dosages.
• Not to abruptly withdraw or discontinue tramadol therapy, as clinical experience with tramadol suggests the possible onset of signs and symptoms of withdrawal. These affects may be reduced by tapering tramadol therapy.
• Tramadol must be kept out of reach of children.

Take Neurontin exactly as prescribed. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Neurontin to take.

Do not change your dose of Neurontin without talking to your healthcare provider.

If you take Neurontin tablets and break a tablet in half, the unused half of the tablet should be taken at your next scheduled dose. Half tablets not used within 28 days of breaking should be thrown away. Take Neurontin capsules with water.

Neurontin tablets can be taken with or without food. If you take an antacid containing aluminum and magnesium, such as Maalox®, Mylanta®, Gelusil®, Gaviscon®, or Di-Gel®, you should wait at least 2 hours before taking your next dose of Neurontin.

If you take too much Neurontin, call your healthcare provider or your local Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not drink alcohol. It may cause a dangerous decrease in your breathing when used together with tramadol.

Tramadol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Do not change your dose. Take Tramadol exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Use the lowest dose possible for the shortest time needed.

Take your prescribed dose once a day at the same time every day. Do not take more than your prescribed dose. If you miss a dose, take your next dose at your usual time.

Swallow Tramadol whole. Do not cut, break, chew, crush, dissolve, snort, or inject Tramadol because this may cause you to overdose and die.

Call your healthcare provider if the dose you are taking does not control your pain.

Do not stop taking Tramadol without talking to your healthcare provider.

After you stop taking Tramadol, dispose the unused Tramadol in accordance with the local state guidelines and/or regulations.