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Lamictal vs. Neurontin

Are Lamictal and Neurontin the Same Thing?

Lamictal (lamotrigine) and Neurontin (gabapentin) are anticonvulsants (anti-seizure drugs) used alone or in combination with other anti-seizure medications for treating certain types of seizures.

Neurontin is also used to treat nerve pain caused by shingles (herpes zoster).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Lamictal?

Lamictal may cause serious side effects, including:

Serious side effects of Lamictal you should report to your doctor include:

What Are Possible Side Effects of Neurontin?

Side effects of Neurontin in adults include<:/p>

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

What is Lamictal?

Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anticonvulsant used alone or in combination with other antiseizure medications for treating certain types of seizures.

What is Neurontin?

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.

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What Drugs Interact With Lamictal?

Lamictal may interact with carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, or rifampin.

Lamictal may also interact with hormonal forms of birth control (pills, injections, implants, or skin patches), divalproex, oxcarbazepine, or valproic acid.

What Drugs Interact With Neurontin?

Neurontin may interact with hydrocodone, morphine, and naproxen.

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.

 

How Should Lamictal Be Taken?

  • Lamictal doses depend on the condition being treated and on whether it is used alone or in combination with other antiseizure medications.

How Should Neurontin Be Taken?

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.