Two medicines, side by side
Duloxetine vs gabapentin
Duloxetine and gabapentin are both labeled for nerve pain and fibromyalgia. Drugs@FDA records approvals of duloxetine since 2004 and of gabapentin since 1993. Pharmacies paid $0.102 per duloxetine HCl DR 30 mg capsule and $0.0218 per gabapentin 100 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, duloxetine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and gabapentin an anti-epileptic agent.
Check it at the source: the duloxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 14, 2024); the gabapentin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 12, 2026).
Highlights of the duloxetine record
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) · label of May 14, 2024
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsDRIZALMA SPRINKLE is indicated for the treatment of: • Major Depressive Disorder in adults • Generalized Anxiety Disorder in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older • Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in adults • Fibromyalgia in adults • Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in adults Additional pediatric use information is approved for Eli Lilly and Company, Inc.’s CYMBALTA (duloxetine delayed-release capsules). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 3, 2004
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.102 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 56
Highlights of the gabapentin record
Gabapentin (Neurontin) · label of May 12, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsNEURONTIN ® is indicated for: • Management of postherpetic neuralgia in adults • Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures, with and without secondary generalization, in adults and pediatric patients 3 years and older with epilepsy NEURONTIN is indicated for: • Postherpetic neuralgia in adults ( 1 ) • Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures, with and without secondary generalization, in adults and pediatric patients 3 years and older with epilepsy […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 30, 1993
- Generic labelers
- 85 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0218 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 22
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Duloxetine label of May 14, 2024, Gabapentin label of May 12, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do duloxetine and gabapentin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, duloxetine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and gabapentin an anti-epileptic agent.
How each works, in its label's words: Duloxetine, “Although the exact mechanisms of the antidepressant, central pain inhibitory and anxiolytic actions of duloxetine in humans are unknown, these actions are believed to be related to its potentiation …”; Gabapentin, “The precise mechanisms by which gabapentin produces its analgesic and antiepileptic actions are unknown.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Duloxetine, “Mean terminal half-life was 12.4 hours (range 7.8 to 22.2 hour) in subjects receiving a single dose DRIZALMA SPRINKLE.”; Gabapentin, “Gabapentin elimination half-life is 5 to 7 hours and is unaltered by dose or following multiple dosing.”
Only the duloxetine label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: duloxetine since 2013; gabapentin since 2003 (Drugs@FDA).
| Duloxetine | Gabapentin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Nerve pain and fibromyalgia, Pain | Nerve pain and fibromyalgia, Seizures and epilepsy |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor | Anti-epileptic Agent |
| How it works (label) | Although the exact mechanisms of the antidepressant, central pain inhibitory and anxiolytic actions of duloxetine in humans are unknown, these actions are believed to be related to its potentiation of serotonergic and noradrenergic … | The precise mechanisms by which gabapentin produces its analgesic and antiepileptic actions are unknown. |
| Half-life (label) | Mean terminal half-life was 12.4 hours (range 7.8 to 22.2 hour) in subjects receiving a single dose DRIZALMA SPRINKLE. | Gabapentin elimination half-life is 5 to 7 hours and is unaltered by dose or following multiple dosing. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 3, 2004 | December 30, 1993 |
| First generic approved | December 11, 2013 | September 12, 2003 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 45 labelers | 85 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.102 per capsule (Duloxetine HCl DR 30 mg capsule) | $0.0218 per capsule (Gabapentin 100 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | +31% | +0.9% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 56 | 22 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 69,298 | 362,654 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
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?
Duloxetine label, drug interactionsExamples Selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, intravenous methylene blue Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of duloxetine with other serotonergic drugs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to duloxetine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions