Lyrica vs Gabapentin

[LisaSnow]

Has anyone tried both medications and experienced different effects from them? Please share your experience! Thank you!. 💓

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Morning, I tried gapapentin which didn’t sit too well with my stomach so came off that, I am on duloxtene which had helped me so much more with my fibro /anxiety, very much trial and error until we found something that suits us personally. Take care. x

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Yassytina]

I am the opposite. Gabapentin didn't disagree with me, unfortunately I can't handle the side effect of brain fog at a higher dose.

Duloxtene was terrible for me though, at a low dose of just 30mg I couldn't get out of the couch for over 24 hours. It zapped every energy out of me!

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer in reply to LisaSnow]

Thankyou for the reply, it’s interesting swapping posts here, x

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Yassytina]

I am really glad that Duloxten works well for you! My doctor keeps on convincing me to try it a second round, but the first round was too disabling so I will avoid it for now!

[Hidden]

Tried it that’s Gabapentin didn’t sit well with me very nauseous and headaches just felt generally off. I am on Pregabalin (Lyrica) works well for me as a small dose as I have a lot of facial nerve pain.

🐼

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for sharing, I got worse brain fog when my Gabapentin dose went up. I am going to try pregabalin now. Are you taking 75mg once or twice a day?

[Hidden in reply to LisaSnow]

I take 50mg twice a day was on 150mg twice a day but it did nothing and put on a stone in weight and putting on weight does nothing to help Fibromyalgia as we all know.

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Yes weight gain is too easy for me! I have packed on the COVID-19 15 plus Gabapentin 5! I also know leg swelling is common with pregablin, do you get that?

[Hidden in reply to LisaSnow]

When I was on the higher dose my feet and ankles started to swell and became very mottled so that was another reason to reduce it even with logging everything I ate I still put on weight with a 500 a day calorie deficit now Duloxetine I can barely think about food 😳

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

You mean you are losing weight on Duloxetine??

[Hidden in reply to LisaSnow]

Yes I actually am I have complete loss of appetite. To be fair I am very conscious about what I eat and how much.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Gabapentin did nothing for me, I've been on pregabalin for several years now and it helps keep my pain levels at a manageable level xxx

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

May I ask what dose you are on (pregabalin)?

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

Hidden do you have a reference for the 1/7?

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer]

Gabapentin really knocked me out with the 300mg capsule!

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

thanks for that and it is part of the opioid / over prescription push back by the looks of it. We are not sure of the numbers within the fibro community as that stat will apply across all settings such as peripheral neuropathy / diabetes.

The subgroup of fibro and clinical trials had better than 1 in 7 or else it would not have passed in the states. A US study looking at people with fibro and used meds found a 1 in 3 ratio.

I suspect we will have silos of people within the fibro community that will find this works for them and others find drug b works. IF we could establish what people are better on without the trial and error we would be a lot better off.

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to desquinn]

200mg pregabalin is a high dose capsule, which warrants such warning.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to LisaSnow]

yes it is and not criticising the warning but I think it mentions the drug rather than the dosage as its focus.

[Sketch2019]

I’m on gabapentin 2x 3times a day I’ve put on weight I had bad sciatica so they put them up to 3x3 a day weight ballooned tired to point I can sleep till 11 am very rarely earlier than that I’m off work and have ibs every day recently only being able to eat toast since toast sat

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Sketch2019]

I hope your pain is under control!

[releasethemagic]

Gabapentin requires a far higher dose to achieve the same pain reduction that is achievable with a smaller dose of Pregabalin. Lyrica is the brand name. For example 900mg of one is equal to 300mg of the other. Lower doses are better for liver and kidney function so Pregabalin is often preferred if you are already taking other drugs that put the liver or kidneys under pressure.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to releasethemagic]

I did not think that one was better than the other as the patient is the determining factor. i.e. it either works or it does not. Kidney function is monitored due to the fact this is the way it is excreted so if you have impaired renal function you could have a build up. So if you already have a kidney issue then you are likely to be monitored more carefully or advised of other options.

Not sure about liver involvement. Pregabalin is "liked" as it is newer and is a bit more predictable pharmacokinetics.

"A few studies have found that pregabalin has fewer side effects and may be more efficacious for neuropathic pain than gabapentin. Several studies reviewing conversion of gabapentin to pregabalin predict that a rough ratio for conversion is about 6:1 gabapentin to pregabalin. In addition, a direct switch from gabapentin to pregabalin seems to be well tolerated, making the conversion simple.

Clinicians should note that pregabalin has various pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic advantages over gabapentin, and a conversion between the 2 medications is often well tolerated."

The above is really good to know but its not helpful if gabapentin works for you and pregabalin does not. The one that works for you better is better for you. Good news is stopping either of them stops the side effects but also important to not stop them suddenly and without guidance as you can have a collection of negative effects as a result.

[Cat00]

Hi, I've been on both at the same time and seperately. Gabapentin worked a bit on its own but together they worked really well but the doctors wouldn't let me stay on both at the same time. Pregablin didn't have much effect. Side effects for both but particularly for Pregablin were crazy appetite and weight gain. Got taken off Gabapentin for pregnancy wouldn't go back on it again, realized it wasn't making much difference and was happy to not carrying the extra weight.

[Jonn9]

I am on pregablin 300x twice a day. I have put on 1 and half stone as I am hungry even after big meal. I have not tried gabapentin

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Jonn9]

Thanks. Sorry to hear about the weigh gain. I hope it is keeping your pain at a manageable level.

[Marky-Burgh]

I was on gabapentin for 7 weeks and whether it was the medication itself or an increase in appetite I put on over 2 stones. Went on to Lyrica (Lyrica proper not generic pregablin) and the weight gain stopped, although didn't lose any. It really helped me sleep, but occasionly (and still does after 2 years) leaves me zombie like for a few hours if taken in the day. It mostly stopped my leg cramps and RLS. I take 200 in the morning and 400 at night and that suits me, but it was a lot trial and error, but I'm so glad I stuck with them.

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Marky-Burgh]

Wow have you tried a lower dose of Lyrica? Did lower dose provide no help? I am only starting with 75mg twice a day and the day time dose knocked me out today. I can't imagine what a high dose like your will do to me.

[Marky-Burgh in reply to LisaSnow]

I started on the lower doses, 3 x 75mg per day(?) and they did work. But as with most meds, the dose has to be increased the longer you use it, to get the same effect. Feeling occasionly zonked out is a fair trade for the benefits it gave me.

[Queenielot]

Hi Lisa Snow I take pregrabalin and other tablets also I have found been on them ok but I have put a lot of weight on with them tried coming of them and felt awful so I ask what do you do carry on taking them or come of them and feel awful I was going to talk to my doctor about it but unfortunately covid came and will have to wait know gentle hugs to all

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Queenielot]

Thanks! We are doing telemedicine here so I can see my doctor via a Zoom like app. I hope you get to see yours soon!

[No1wthayla]

I've had both. Gabapentin did give me stomach issues for a bit but taking an anti-gas medication helped. Got off of it because it wasn't working for my neuropathy. Went on Lyrica and no side effects that I can notice. Works fine for me. But everyone is different

[KnackeredKaty]

I am a nurse and I have found that patients on pregabalin need breakthrough pain relief more often than those on gabapentin. When I was taking gabapentin I found that it was a great painkiller. The only side effect I had with gabapentin was weight gain. I still can't lose the weight and I haven't taken gabapentin for around 18 months.

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to KnackeredKaty]

Could you define "breakthrough pain relief"? Yes the weigh gain side effect really worries me. Do you find the higher the dose the higher the risk?

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to LisaSnow]

Not everyone gets weight gain. Breakthrough meds can be anything from paracetamol to tramadol. To handle acute pain.

[KnackeredKaty in reply to LisaSnow]

Hi Lisa, I never had a weight problem until I started gabapentin. As I increased the dose I put weight on faster. But that was just me. Not everyone has weight gain.

[Babs1620]

I use Lyrica twice daily and also Zomorph otherwise I cannot function. Never used the otherone you mentioned.