What's stronger

[Cleogibson]

Hi there

I was just wanting to find out is pregablin stronger than gabapentin

[ljay2012]

hi, pregabalin is stronger than gabapentin, I found side effects worse as well, only on pregabalin number of weeks put weight on very quickly, weight gain is one of the main side affects of this drug, hope that helps

[Hidden in reply to ljay2012]

Hi I've just tried pregabalin for two weeks and put on 8 pounds!

[Elijah2014 in reply to Hidden]

Wotttttttaaaaaahhhhhhhh! !!!@@@....Oh gosh xx

[Hidden in reply to Elijah2014]

Nearly cried when I got on the scales plus I just felt like a zombie. I think it's trial and error with meds but I get so many side effects.

[Fra22-57]

Gabapentin gave me stomach problems but had been ok on Pregabalin but had to go to 450mg a day to find benefit.x Miss any and effects are terrible

[Elijah2014 in reply to Fra22-57]

Great post...My rhematologist said to up my Preg by 200/300mg.....will have words with him.. xx

[uggycat]

MORNING ALL WAS ON PREGABIN FOR FEW WEEKS NEARLY KILLED ME. HAD A STRUGGLE IN MORNING WITH THE BED. GETTING UP. STOMACH FELT LIKE IT HAD REARRANGED INSIDE. THAT FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN TAKING MORPHINE FOR A YEAR. XXX

[Theoldman]

I find Gabapentin works better for me.

[Annie-soupdragon]

I have no idea about pregablin , but I have just been prescribed gabapentin due to nerve pain caused by a prolapsed disc. It was only whole reading the info on gabapentin that I found out it is commonly used in fibromyalgia. Once my disc problem is sorted I shall be speaking with my GPC about staying on the gabapentin for my fibromyalgia. In the meantime, i'M going to look into pregablin, so thank you for the heads up!! 😊

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to Annie-soupdragon]

Hi there

If Gabapentin is suiting you I would say to stay on it.

Pregabalin can have the side effect of considerably lowering your mood to what I would say is a very black dark mood which is impossible to get out of.

Not everyone gets on with Pregabalin and vice versa.

Lu xx

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi Cleogibson

It obviously depends what dose you're on.

Both meds have the side effect of weight gain. Anyone struggling with depression should be aware of one of the side effects of Pregabalin which is that at the max dose it can lower your mood substantially.

I am not a medical professional but as far as I am aware they are of a similar strength as they are sister drugs.

However, I believe that Pregabalin is the more expensive drug for a GP to prescribe.

Some of our forum members take Pregabalin and others take Gabapentin. It all depends upon which medication suits you best.

Unfortunately until you try it you won't know which one suits you best.

I am just speaking from my own experiences of both meds.

Lu x

Admin

[Cleogibson]

Thank you all very much, got really good information .

[TheAuthor]

Hi my friend

I have pasted you an excerpt from the *Pharmacy Times that looks at the differences between Pregabalin and Gabapentin:

*Pharmacokinetics of pregabalin and gabapentin

Both pregabalin and gabapentin are antiepileptic medications that bare structural resemblance to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), though neither agent has activity in GABA’s neuronal systems.

Although the exact mechanism of action is somewhat unclear, the drugs’ efficacy in neuropathic pain is linked to their ability to bind to voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system (CNS), specifically to the alpha-2-delta protein. This binding decreases neurotransmitter release in the CNS as a result of reduced calcium influx through the gated channels.3

Gabapentin is indicated as adjunct therapy for partial seizures and postherpetic neuralgia.4 Pregabalin is indicated for the same uses as gabapentin, plus the management of fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain associated with diabetes, specifically diabetic neuropathy.5

Overall, the pharmacokinetic profiles of these 2 medications are somewhat similar, but they also have some significant differences.

For example, both drugs are structurally similar to the amino acid leucine. Because of this, they can both undergo facilitated transport across cellular membranes through system L-amino acid transporters.3 This is the major form of absorption for gabapentin and pregabalin, with the exception of an extended-release gabapentin prodrug to be discussed later.

However, pregabalin may either have an additional system of absorption or be better transported than gabapentin, as it is almost completely absorbed, while gabapentin is not. In addition, absorption of gabapentin is limited to the small intestine, while pregabalin is absorbed throughout the small intestine and extending to the ascending colon.

Gabapentin is more slowly and variably absorbed, with peak plasma concentrations around 3 hours post-dose. Pregabalin is quickly absorbed, with the maximum rate of absorption being 3 times that of gabapentin. It reaches peak blood concentrations within an hour after ingestion.

I would say from this that they are both quite similar but do have one or two things that they do differently. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck, and please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Cleogibson]

That's great information, very interesting to know the way they work