Gabapentin/Pregabalin: is there any difference ?

[PPSN_JudyB]

[jacquieb Volunteer]

Absolutely yes.

Gabapentin - I took this drug, maximum dose, for many weeks and I was completely "out of it", I slurred, couldn't remember questions that I might have asked, and certainly didn't remember the answers. I should never have been allowed to drive that's for sure.

Did the drug work, not for me anyway. I had absolutely no relief, and the other side effects associated with them gave me no choice but to come off of them. I lost a stone in weight within weeks.

Pregabalin - I tried this drug around six months ago, but gave up on it, not because of the awful side effects as mentioned above, but because it didn't help with my nerve pain. That being said there are side effects, bloatedness, weight gain, and you can feel them "kick in", but are tolerable most of the time.

Where Pregabalin did help for me was when I started having the awful burning back and hot sweats, major flare ups. Within hours my central nervous system calmed down. As for helping the nerve pain itself, and the sensitivity I get, not really.

I am not a Dr but would say that if the central nervous system calms down, than the whole process should in theory. However, if a process has been going on for months/years than the body is so accustomed to throwing out pain signals, that it is carrying on regardless. Maybe that's why if caught early you have a better chance of recovering.

However, I must add that each and everyone of us will have a different reaction to certain drugs, and you can only try it and see for yourself. If it works, fantastic, but so far, and sadly, none have for me.

[Sheilam in reply to jacquieb]

I'll agree with you last paragraph. Sadly, so drugs have helped with my sore, raw pressure pain in both groins. I have been on the highest dose of Prebagalin for some years, but it has had a very insignificant beneficial effect.I have just been told about this website, and think that because of my age (80) the medics think that nothing much can be done. As you said, I think the longer one has had the pain the less likelihood there is of having effective treatment. The nerves can't rrespond to anlything other than pain messages from the brain. I dread to tell folks on this site how long I have endured this pain. Siitting down - like at the computer at this moment - is agony, and there is no way one can relax. I have found the side effect of Pregabalin were originally, some years ago, sudden weight gain, and since then I find I can't remember the word for the subject or place I am talking about! It's easy to blame the drug, but I think this is a side effect. Other then than I tolerate it quite well - I just wish I had real benefit, Sheilam

[helenlegs11 Volunteer]

The way I understand it is that they are the same 'family' but pregabalin is a newer, more 'refined' version' of gabapentin. A metabolite of the original drug, So in effect what the body breaks gabapentin down to, a while after ingesting, pregabalin already is.

Therefore pregabalin should do a similar job, but more quickly and/or with a lesser dose.The side effects are reported to be more manageable by some

found this

Parke-Davis developed a drug called pregabalin to be a successor of gabapentin.[65] Pregabalin was brought to market by Pfizer as Lyrica after the company acquired Warner-Lambert. Pregabalin is related in structure to gabapentin and is approved for treatment of epilepsy, neuropathic pain associated with diabetes, fibromyalgia, post-herpetic neuralgia, and generalized anxiety disorder.

Compared to gabapentin, pregabalin is more potent, absorbs faster and has greater bioavailability. Higher potency means that less of the medication is required for the same effect. This does not necessarily result in fewer side effects.

Apparently it won;t be till at least 2013, when off patent, that the price will reduce. Someone said it costs about £100 per month (not sure) for pregabalin whereas gabapentin's cost is negligible..

[helenlegs11 Volunteer]

I was talking to my nephews girlfriend who told me that pregabalin is actually the first drug on a medical 'recommended' list for neuropathic pain (she told me a better 'list' name but I forget) gabapentin is lower down the list.

However, many PCT's have sent out a message saying don't prescribe it and use gabapentin instead, she admitted it was a cost issue.

Oh she is a GP,

[jacquieb Volunteer]

Absolutely right, its a cost issue. The cost mentioned of £100 was given to me by my GP at the time. You are also right about the patent issue, the price of this drug will eventually go down. Sad but true.

[helenlegs11 Volunteer]

I found this nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/1 ... /47936.pdf

It gives the NHS pathway for prescriptions for pregabalin (page 3) and costs of the drug against others etc.

I took it in to my GP, but because I had said it was the with drawl from Gabapentin that had been the factor for asking for pregabalin she still wouldn't prescribe it as the with drawl would be the same for pregabalin.

I did get the prescription eventually but only because I mentioned side effects (stupidity) so that seems to be a way forward if pregabalin is refused.

[helenlegs11 Volunteer]

I started taking pregabalin 3 weeks ago. I had to stop 2 weeks ago as I developed horrendous spots (after all that fuss, serves me right!) . . . . . . . . much bigger than those dots! . . . . . . . I'm 55!!!!

I have almost got them under control and have started the pregabalin again,

I am taking cymbalta in the morning and evening (now) and tramadol when needed and it is definitely taking the edge off.

I would say that it is making me more calm, which enables me to deal with the pain that bit better. Of course it's no cure, but I feel I have it partially sussed.

Will see in a few weeks if I feel the same.