Two medicines, side by side
Cyclobenzaprine vs pregabalin
Cyclobenzaprine and pregabalin are both labeled for nerve pain and fibromyalgia. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cyclobenzaprine since 1977 and of pregabalin since 2004. Pharmacies paid $0.0171 per cyclobenzaprine 10 mg tablet and $0.0571 per pregabalin 100 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Cyclobenzaprine's other strengths are brand-only: $29.61 per tablet (Tonmya 2.8 mg tablet sl).
Check it at the source: the cyclobenzaprine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 21, 2025); the pregabalin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 15, 2025).
Highlights of the cyclobenzaprine record
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) · label of February 21, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsCyclobenzaprine hydrochloride tablets, USP are indicated as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy for relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. Improvement is manifested by relief of muscle spasm and its associated signs and symptoms, namely, pain, tenderness, limitation of motion, and restriction in activities of daily living. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 26, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 59 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0171 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Highlights of the pregabalin record
Pregabalin (Lyrica) · label of April 15, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsLYRICA is indicated for: • Management of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy • Management of postherpetic neuralgia • Adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial‑onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older • Management of fibromyalgia • Management of neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury LYRICA is indicated for: • Neuropathic pain associated with diabetic […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 30, 2004
- Generic labelers
- 52 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0571 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cyclobenzaprine label of February 21, 2025, Pregabalin label of April 15, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cyclobenzaprine and pregabalin differ on the record?
Half-life, in each label's words: Cyclobenzaprine, “Cyclobenzaprine is eliminated quite slowly, with an effective half-life of 18 hours (range 8 to 37 hours; n=18); …”; Pregabalin, “12.3 Pharmacokinetics Pregabalin is well absorbed after oral administration, is eliminated largely by renal excretion …”
Generics: cyclobenzaprine since 1988; pregabalin since 2019 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: cyclobenzaprine none; pregabalin CV.
| Cyclobenzaprine | Pregabalin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Muscle spasms and spasticity, Nerve pain and fibromyalgia | Nerve pain and fibromyalgia, Seizures and epilepsy |
| Pharmacologic class | Muscle Relaxant | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | LYRICA (pregabalin) binds with high affinity to the alpha 2 -delta site (an auxiliary subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels) in central nervous system tissues. |
| Half-life (label) | Cyclobenzaprine is eliminated quite slowly, with an effective half-life of 18 hours (range 8 to 37 hours; n=18); plasma clearance is 0.7 L/min. | 12.3 Pharmacokinetics Pregabalin is well absorbed after oral administration, is eliminated largely by renal excretion, and has an elimination half-life of about 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 26, 1977 | December 30, 2004 |
| First generic approved | February 29, 1988 | July 19, 2019 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 59 labelers | 52 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0171 per tablet (Cyclobenzaprine 10 mg tablet) | $0.0571 per capsule (Pregabalin 100 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -15% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 50,442 | 270,624 |
| DEA schedule | none | CV |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Cyclobenzaprine label, warningsIf concomitant treatment with cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride and other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, careful observation is advised, particularly during treatment initiation or dose increases (see PRECAUTIONS :
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to cyclobenzaprine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions