My Dr. said I should take Gabapentin because it's cheaper than Lyrica and I'm on a very limited income. He has started me on Gabapentin for my back, left leg and left foot pain. It's really for my leg and foot. I have the worst pain, burning, numbness and tingling in my left leg and foot. He said that I could take Lyrica instead of Gabapentin, but that Gabapentin is much cheaper. I'm concerned about all the bad POSSIBLE side effects and other drug interactions with Gabapentin. It just sounds like a RISKY drug. The Dr's actually statement about the two drugs were, "WELL, LYRICA IS A MUCH CLEANER DRUG"... could someone please tell me what that actually means? Or at least tell me what the difference is between the two drugs Lyrica and Gabapentin? Thank You.
Why is Lyrica a safer drug than Gabapentin?
- Asked
- 2 May 2014 by Planmyescape
- Updated
- 12 April 2018
- Topics
- lyrica, pain, gabapentin, foot pain
Responses (4)
Have you looked at the side effects for lyrica? I was on lyrica, had so many side effects I switched to gabapentin and its helping more then lyrica, without any side effects. You will find many of us here who take gabapentin without a problem. I have no idea what your dr meant about it being cleaner. That makes no sense to me. The two drugs are both anti seizure meds and have many of the same side effects. Just because a drug has a long list of side effects it does not mean that you will get any of them. If you do you can stop it. Oh and lyrica is a controlled drug, because it can be abused.
Hello there I've been taking gabbapintin for 3 years now up to 3200 mg daily it helps with nerve damage and it works great for some more than others im curious though my doctor just started me on Lyrica 75 mg once before bed for diabetic neuropathy tingling on hands legs and feet last night I slept really well nothing felt better than not experiencing neuropathy effects why didn't he just add it without removing your Lyrica just wondering so far Lyrica is working and there are copay cards coupons out there it beats suffering through the pain gabbapintin is safe works great lot of room for increased dosage as well hope this helps.
gabapentin ruined my husband's eyesight. And only taking up to 900mg a day!!! I'd stick with lyrica. Just to be on the safe side. It's been years since this was last posted and NOW in2018 they are saying watch out for the increased dosage of gabapentin. It can cause permanent vision problems like double vision in one eye even! !
I have taken both and in my opinion neither one are safe. They both affect the brain and change who we are. Lyrica is a stronger version of gabapentin. The side effects are horrible for both. I was so disappointed when I watched The Doctors and heard what they said about these types of drugs that I haven’t watched it since. I am in the process of tapering now and getting ‘me’ back. They took many years of my life and I’ve had enough. We have to be very careful about what we put in our bodies and research everything. Take care everyone and I wish you all the best.
Cindy59

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Honestly I started with gabapentin and switched to Lyrica. Finally my nerve pain went away. And the pain of my joints was able to be located. And I got the diagnosis eds. Osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia at age 25. I think gabs messed with my psych. I became depressed and anxious. Both have side effects and it depends on each individual. Many swesr by lyrica, many by gabs. It's all in the makeup and wiring of the brain... just like a psych meds would do. Or any medicine really. Hope that helps.