gabapentin vs pregabalin
Side-by-side comparison of gabapentin and pregabalin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Neurontin, Gralise
Lyrica
Gabapentin is a medicine that can treat nerve pain and seizures. It works by calming overactive nerves in the body.
Pregabalin (Lyrica) is a medicine that can help manage nerve pain, fibromyalgia, and partial-onset seizures. It works by calming overactive nerves in your body.
Gabapentin is used to manage nerve pain after shingles in adults. This is called postherpetic neuralgia. It is also used with other medicines to treat partial seizures in adults and children ages 3 and older who have epilepsy.
This medicine is used to treat nerve pain caused by diabetes, shingles, or spinal cord injury. It can also help with fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain. Pregabalin can also be used with other medicines to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and children as young as 1 month old.
Gabapentin affects how nerves send signals to the brain. It is thought to work by decreasing the activity of overexcited nerve cells. This can reduce pain and prevent seizures.
Pregabalin works by binding to certain areas in your brain and spinal cord. This action helps to reduce the release of chemicals that send pain signals. By reducing these signals, pregabalin can help to lessen pain and control seizures.
- • Dizziness
- • Sleepiness
- • Swelling in arms and legs
- • Uncoordinated movements
- • Tiredness
- • Dizziness
- • Sleepiness
- • Dry mouth
- • Swelling
- • Blurred vision
- The medicine is not working 28,917
- Tiredness 24,395
- Feeling sick to your stomach 21,942
- Aches and discomfort 20,748
- Using the medicine for a condition it is not approved for 18,938
- The medicine is not working 26,491
- Pain 25,904
- Tiredness 15,111
- Feeling dizzy 14,526
- Feeling sick to your stomach 14,050
This medicine can cause a severe allergic reaction with fever, rash, and organ problems. Stop taking gabapentin and get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how gabapentin affects you. Do not stop taking gabapentin suddenly, as this may increase seizures. Gabapentin may cause suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch for changes in mood or behavior. Using gabapentin with opioid medicines can cause very slow breathing, sedation, and death. Children ages 3 to 12 may have new or worsening behavior problems.
Pregabalin can cause swelling of the throat, head, and neck, which can be life-threatening. Get emergency help right away if this happens. This medicine can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Watch for any changes in your mood or behavior. Pregabalin may cause dizziness and sleepiness, so be careful driving or operating machinery. Do not stop taking pregabalin suddenly, as this can cause increased seizures or other side effects.
Gabapentin may cause harm to an unborn baby based on animal studies. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor. Gabapentin passes into breast milk. The effects on a nursing baby are not known.
Taking pregabalin during pregnancy may slightly increase the risk of birth defects. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine. Breastfeeding while taking pregabalin is not recommended.
How to Read This gabapentin vs pregabalin Comparison
gabapentin is classified in the Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent drug class, while pregabalin sits within the Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, gabapentin has 114,940 submissions while pregabalin has 96,082. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between gabapentin and pregabalin — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.