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Metanx vs. Neurontin

 

Are Metanx and Neurontin the Same Thing?

Metanx (L-methylfolate calcium [as Metafolin], algae-S powder [Schizochytrium], pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, and methylcobalamin) and Neurontin (gabapentin) are used to treat nerve pain from different causes.

Metanx is used for the clinical dietary management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and is specially formulated to meet the distinctive nutritional requirements for this condition.

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

Metanx is a prescription medical food and Neurontin is an anti-epileptic medication.

Side effects of Metanx and Neurontin that are similar include drowsiness.

Side effects of Metanx that are different from Neurontin include acne, skin reactions, allergic reactions, sensitivity to sunlight, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, increased liver function test results, numbness and tingling, headaches, diarrhea, itching, temporary skin rash, and the feeling of swelling of the entire body.

Side effects of Neurontin that are different from Metanx include dizziness, unsteadiness, memory loss, lack of coordination, difficulty speaking, viral infections, tremors, double vision, fever, unusual eye movements, jerky movements, mood or behavior changes, depression, and anxiety.

Metanx may interact with other drugs.

Neurontin may interact with hydrocodone, morphine, and naproxen.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Metanx?

Common side effects of Metanx include:

  • acne,
  • skin reactions,
  • allergic reactions,
  • sensitivity to sunlight,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • abdominal pain,
  • loss of appetite,
  • increased liver function test results,
  • numbness and tingling,
  • drowsiness,
  • nausea,
  • headaches,
  • diarrhea,
  • itching,
  • temporary skin rash, and
  • the feeling of swelling of the entire body.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Neurontin?

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.

What Is Metanx?

Metanx (L-methylfolate calcium [as Metafolin], algae-S powder [Schizochytrium], pyridoxal-5 '-phosphate, and methylcobalamin) is a prescription medical food for use only under the supervision of a physician for the clinical dietary management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and is specially formulated to meet the distinctive nutritional requirements for this condition.

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.

What Drugs Interact With Metanx?

Metanx may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Metanx. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Neurontin?

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 Metanx Be Taken?

The usual adult dose of Metanx may be taken as one capsule twice daily or two capsules once daily, or as directed under medical supervision.

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.