{"id":3383,"date":"2018-12-06T15:47:57","date_gmt":"2018-12-06T20:47:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=3383"},"modified":"2025-12-19T15:29:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T20:29:11","slug":"lyrica-vs-gabapentin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/lyrica-vs-gabapentin\/","title":{"rendered":"Lyrica vs. gabapentin: Differences and similarities explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lyrica<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>pregabalin<\/span><\/a>) and <\/span>gabapentin<\/span><\/a> are prescription drugs used to treat <\/span>nerve pain<\/span> and partial-onset seizures. <\/span>Lyrica<\/span> is a <\/span>brand-name<\/span> drug containing <\/span>pregabalin,<\/span> while <\/span>gabapentin<\/span> is a generic drug known by the <\/span>brand names<\/span> Neurontin<\/span>, <\/span>Gralise<\/span>, and Horizant. They\u2019re both part of a group of drugs called <\/span>anticonvulsants<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>antiepileptic drugs<\/span>. However, they also have <\/span>analgesic<\/span>, or pain-relieving, properties, as they help decrease the release of certain <\/span>neurotransmitters<\/span> and slow down nerve signals involved with pain and seizures. Although they\u2019re similar drugs with identical uses, <\/span>Lyrica<\/span> and <\/span>gabapentin<\/span> differ in several ways.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Lyrica (pregabalin) vs. gabapentin: Key differences<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Differences<\/b><\/td>\nLyrica (pregabalin)<\/b><\/td>\nGabapentin<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nAnticonvulsant<\/span><\/td>\nAnticonvulsant<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand and generic version available<\/span><\/td>\nBrand and generic version available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic\/<\/b>brand name<\/b>?<\/b><\/td>\nBrand name<\/span>: <\/span>Lyrica<\/span><\/p>\n

Generic name: <\/span>Pregabalin<\/span><\/td>\n

Brand name<\/span>: <\/span>Neurontin<\/span><\/p>\n

Generic name: <\/span>Gabapentin<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nCapsule<\/span><\/p>\n

Tablet, extended-release<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral solution<\/span><\/td>\n

Capsule<\/span><\/p>\n

Tablet<\/span><\/p>\n

Tablet, extended-release<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral solution<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\n50 to 100 mg three times daily<\/span><\/td>\n300 to 600 mg three times daily<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults and children 1 month and older<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children 3 years and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Lyrica, pregabalin, and gabapentin dosage comparison\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Lyrica<\/span> is available as a 20 mg\/mL oral solution and a 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg, or 300 mg oral capsule. <\/span>Lyrica<\/span> is also available as an extended-release tablet called <\/span>Lyrica<\/span> CR that comes in strengths of 82.5 mg, 165 mg, and 330 mg.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Generic pregabalin is available in the same forms and strengths: as a 20 mg\/mL oral solution and a 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg, or 300 mg oral capsule. There is also an extended-release form, pregabalin ER, that comes in the same strengths as brand-name Lyrica CR: 82.5 mg, 165 mg, and 330 mg.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabapentin<\/span> is available as a 100 mg, 300 mg, or 400 mg oral capsule; a 300 mg, 600 mg, or 800 mg oral tablet; and a 250 mg\/5 mL oral solution. Horizant contains <\/span>gabapentin<\/span> enacarbil in a 300 mg or 600 mg extended-release tablet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conditions treated by <\/span>Lyrica (pregabalin)<\/span> and <\/span>gabapentin<\/span><\/h2>\n

Lyrica and its generic version, pregabalin, are <\/span>approved by the Food and Drug Administration<\/span><\/a> (FDA) to treat the following conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n