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What is the major difference between pregabalin and gabapentin?

Posted by mikead63 @mikead63, Apr 18, 2025

I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy (diagnosed in January of this year). I was prescribed gabapentin 2-3 hours before bedtime. At this point I am at 600mg which helps while I know it's a low dose for many, at this point it's fine for me. I had not heard of pregabalin until today when I was researching info. in Pharmacy Times. I know that pregabalin is quickly absorbed while gabapentin is absorbed around 3 hours post dose. My question is: IS ANYONE ON PREGABALIN? If so, how is that working out??

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roosterry | @roosterry | May 16 12:45pm
In reply to @roosterry "Hi, I am 84, tried gabapentin over 12 years ago, didn't do much. Switched to gabapentin,..." + (show)
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Hi, I am 84, tried gabapentin over 12 years ago, didn't do much. Switched to gabapentin, and it has been very effective, no problem sleeping at all, and although my feet, particularly the soles are very tender, and feel very hot when walking, I can bear it.. My biggest problem is I also have bone on bone in both knees, and because of heart failure and AFib cannot get an operation. To top it all off, lower arteries in calves are again somewhat clogged, so from the knees down my legs feel like they are made of cement, with pain in calves and hot feet. I would really have a hard time but for the pregabalin. Hope that helps Terry

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Sorry my mistake I switched to PREGABALIN !!!!!!!

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Bob Ellis | @bob7316 | 5 days ago
In reply to @19281928 "@jniz those medications can be brutal, I will not take them, 100 lb weight gain with..." + (show)
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@jniz those medications can be brutal, I will not take them, 100 lb weight gain with gabapentin not to mention the swelling, it was absolutely miserable. gabapentin has also recently shown possibly dementia from taking it however, mire testing needs to be done . I am DONE. when I took it I would get lost going places that I had been many times before, that's simply not worth losing my life. Once you get dementia, it's over . Pharmaceuticals are not safe drugs (most of them) cymbalta increased my cholesterol as did dulocextine. And all antidepressants can do the same plus cause diabetes, high blood pressure, I got them all but luckily I was able to reverse them. I also have cardiovascular issues so those side effects would have eventually killed me . so sorry you're dealing with all this... Wishing you the best 😊

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@19281928
Hi I have neuropathy and I have been treated with pregabalin (Lyrica) 50mg per day for about 10 years. I now have like a dementure where I totally forget things like names dates and how to get around in my car. I see you had similar things. Did getting off the gabapentin help with your memory at all. I have tried getting off Lyrica but the nerve pain comes back again.
Hoping to hear from you.

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19281928 | @19281928 | 5 days ago
In reply to @bob7316 "@19281928 Hi I have neuropathy and I have been treated with pregabalin (Lyrica) 50mg per day..." + (show)
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@19281928
Hi I have neuropathy and I have been treated with pregabalin (Lyrica) 50mg per day for about 10 years. I now have like a dementure where I totally forget things like names dates and how to get around in my car. I see you had similar things. Did getting off the gabapentin help with your memory at all. I have tried getting off Lyrica but the nerve pain comes back again.
Hoping to hear from you.

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@bob7316 yes much improvement since stopping. I'm sorry you're dealing with this 🙏

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bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | 5 days ago

Cost is a big difference for sure.

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Bob Ellis | @bob7316 | 4 days ago
In reply to @bob7316 "@19281928 Hi I have neuropathy and I have been treated with pregabalin (Lyrica) 50mg per day..." + (show)
Profile picture for Bob Ellis @bob7316

@19281928
Hi I have neuropathy and I have been treated with pregabalin (Lyrica) 50mg per day for about 10 years. I now have like a dementure where I totally forget things like names dates and how to get around in my car. I see you had similar things. Did getting off the gabapentin help with your memory at all. I have tried getting off Lyrica but the nerve pain comes back again.
Hoping to hear from you.

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@bob7316 sorry made a mistake. I meant to say " Did getting off the Pregabalin help with your memory at all".
I am making an appointment with my doctor today to go off Pregabalin and onto Gabapentin to
see if I can get my brain working properly again.

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Bob Ellis | @bob7316 | 4 days ago

I am on pregabalin and have been for about 6 years. I have 2, 25mg = 50mg at night. It works really well but I now find that it causes me to have dementure like symptoms. You can Google "does Lyrica cause dementure" for some more information. I am going to now stop using Lyrica which is the pregabalin brand that I take and go onto gabapentin hoping I can restore my brain back to where it was before taking the pregabalin.

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bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | 4 days ago

I've been on 75mg 3 X per day for a little over 4 and a half years. I am now in the process of down dosing to 50mg 3 X per day. If i feel ok I may just go down to 25mg 3 X per day. My major issues were chest pain typical of diabetic neuropathy and all body itching. So far neither has reappeared.

As an aside while doing some yard work my lower back felt better than it has in a LOONNGGG time. I hope that portends good news ahead.

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mister1 | @mister1 | 4 days ago

I have been on (Lyrica) Pregabalin for 3 yrs now. I take 150mg 3 times a day and have been told that’s a high dose. I wish I had higher. I’d say it works because when I forget to take it, I feel it, but I take it with 200mg Amytriptaline and 100mg jounvax but everyone is different and if you can take a lower dose start there but it works better than Gabapentin for me. I wish you the best.

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quilterfingers | @quilterfingers | 4 days ago

I take gabapentin for needles & pins (paresthesia ) in my feet. I could not drive without it.

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bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | 4 days ago
In reply to @mister1 "I have been on (Lyrica) Pregabalin for 3 yrs now. I take 150mg 3 times a..." + (show)
Profile picture for mister1 @mister1

I have been on (Lyrica) Pregabalin for 3 yrs now. I take 150mg 3 times a day and have been told that’s a high dose. I wish I had higher. I’d say it works because when I forget to take it, I feel it, but I take it with 200mg Amytriptaline and 100mg jounvax but everyone is different and if you can take a lower dose start there but it works better than Gabapentin for me. I wish you the best.

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@mister1

If I miss a dose I don't really notice it.

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