Pregabalin (Lyrica) and gabapentin (Neurontin and others) are drugs used to prevent seizures and to treat nerve pain associated with various conditions (shingles, diabetic neuropathy). Lyrica and gabapentin both cause similar side effects, including tremors, blurred or double vision, memory or concentration problems, dizziness, and drowsiness. Herpes zoster or shingles is a potential complication arising from the reactivation of dormant varicella zoster virus in dorsal root ganglion. 1 This reactivation causes a severe painful rash that spreads along dermatomes in the face or chest wall, which leads to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). 1 In most cases, PHN occurs in older patients and persists even after the rash has cleared. 1 The pain Gabapentin is approved for nerve pain from shingles and as an add-on for partial seizures, whereas pregabalin is approved for nerve pain from diabetes, shingles, spinal cord injury, fibromyalgia, and partial-onset seizures. Gabapentin and Lyrica are both anticonvulsant medications used to treat seizures, post-herpetic neuralgia (pain from shingles), and certain other types of neuropathic pain. Both substances are classified as gabapentinoids—a group of drugs with similar mechanisms of action and several common side effects. Gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregalbin (Lyrica) work directly through the nerves to decrease pain. Gabapentin causes much more drowsiness compared to pregalbin. Many of my patients who have difficulty with sleep at night due to the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia do well with Gabapentin. Lyrica (pregabalin) and gabapentin are both prescribed for partial onset seizures and nerve pain that occurs after shingles. Doctors also prescribe Lyrica for other uses. Lyrica is a brand-name Several meta-analyses have shown that gabapentin (1,800 to 3,600 mg per day; NNT = 8; 95% CI, 5 to 14) and pregabalin (600 mg per day; NNT = 4; 95% CI, 3 to 9) were more effective than placebo in Gabapentin does not work to treat the virus-causing shingles, but rather it is used to address the pain from nerve damage that can occur in certain individuals at higher risk of developing complications from shingles, termed postherpetic neuralgia. Both Lyrica and gabapentin are used to treat nerve pain associated with shingles in adults. Guidelines from the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend both Lyrica and gabapentin as Gabapentin and pregabalin are both used to treat partial-onset seizures and nerve pain from shingles (postherpetic neuralgia). Additionally, gabapentin and pregabalin are used off-label to treat a variety of mental health and pain disorders. Gabapentin and Lyrica are generally considered 'first-line' agents for treating the pain associated with shingles (postherpetic neuralgia). Alternative treatment options include tricyclic antidepressants, lidocaine, anticonvulsants, SNRI antidepressants and tramadol. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the use of gabapentin and pregabalin for the treatment of PHN. Both gabapentin and pregabalin work slightly differently in how they Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant drug that is used to treat seizures caused by epilepsy and restless leg syndrome (RLS). In addition to partial seizures, it is also used to treat postherpetic neuralgia or pain that persists after an attack of shingles. Gabapentin is classified as a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogue. Both Lyrica and gabapentin are used as anti-epileptic medications and to treat nerve pain. But there are several differences between them. The main differences between Lyrica and gabapentin are: Lyrica is a brand name for pregabalin. Gabapentin is a generic name - brands of gabapentin include Neurontin, Gralise, and Horizant. When you're comparing gabapentin versus Lyrica, you should consider the benefits and risks. Gabapentin is used to treat partial seizures that occur with epilepsy and nerve pain resulting from Learn what doctors prescribe to treat shingles and related symptoms, as well as home remedies that may help. These may include gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica). Pregabalin and gabapentin are also approved for nerve pain from shingles (postherpetic neuralgia). Pregabalin has a few more approved uses, such as: Even though gabapentin isn’t approved for these reasons, it’s still used for conditions such as fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy. Gabapentin and Lyrica are similar medications used to treat nerve pain and epilepsy, but Lyrica has broader FDA approval and typically requires lower, less frequent doses. Studies show Lyrica tends to work faster and more predictably for nerve pain, especially for FDA-approved conditions like fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy. Research supports the use of the anticonvulsants gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin, Horizant) and pregabalin (Lyrica) to help relieve pain caused by damaged nerves. Both gabapentin and pregabalin are particularly effective in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy and pain caused by a spinal cord injury. Studies involving anticonvulsants showed that gabapentin and pregabalin reduce pain from postherpetic neuralgia by approximately 50 percent. 7, 19, 20 Another study comparing the maximum tolerated
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