Neurontin vs. Lyrica

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

Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica (pregabalin) are anti-epileptic medications used to treat seizures and nerve 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 Lyrica include:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Edema
• Breast swelling
• Tremors
• Blurred vision
• Weight gain
• Problems with memory or concentration

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.

Lyrica is a prescription medicine used in adults, 18 years and older, to treat:

• pain from damaged nerves (neuropathic pain) that happens with diabetes
• pain from damaged nerves (neuropathic pain) that follows healing of shingles
• partial seizures when taken together with other seizure medicines
• fibromyalgia (pain all over your body)
• pain from damaged nerves (neuropathic pain) that follows spinal cord injury

It is not known if Lyrica is safe and effective in children.

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.

Do Not take Lyrica if youare allergic to pregabalin or any of the ingredients in Lyrica.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Lyrica. Lyrica and alcohol can affect each other and increase side effects such as sleepiness and dizziness.

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.

Take Lyrica exactly as prescribed. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Lyrica to take and when to take it.

Take Lyrica at the same times each day.

Lyrica may be taken with or without food.

Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Do not change your dose without talking to your healthcare provider.

Do not stop taking Lyrica without talking to your healthcare provider. If you stop taking Lyrica suddenly you may have headaches, nausea, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, increased sweating, or you may feel anxious. If you have epilepsy and you stop taking Lyrica suddenly, you may have seizures more often. Talk with your healthcare provider about how to stop Lyrica slowly.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time.

If you take too much Lyrica, call your healthcare provider or poison control center, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.