Millions of people are affected by chronic pain, both Gabapentin Vs Amitriptyline treat severe pain, which has become a common condition in many individuals. Common health complications including nerve pain, seizures, depression, migraine, ADHD, and many more are affecting the lives of individuals mentally and physically. However, these problems have had a significant impact on people’s lives by making it difficult to perform their daily tasks.
Individuals with diabetes may also have their nerves in the body damaged which could cause paralysis, or worse. This condition is called diabetic neuropathy. It is estimated that 50% of the population are suffering from neuropathic pain (nerve pain).
To treat these types of pain, a doctor may prescribe you Gabapentin and Amitriptyline to provide relief from nerve pain. In today’s blog, we will learn the comparison between the two drugs in terms of their functions, uses, side effects, etc. Let’s begin!
Differences Between Gabapentin and Amitriptyline
Here, we will explore the differences between Gabapentin and Amitriptyline which have different working, dose schedules, etc.
Gabapentin
Gabapentin comes from the anticonvulsant drug class and is widely prescribed to reduce the electrical activity in the brain. This drug is a prescription medication, also helpful in managing seizures, restless leg syndrome, and nerve pain. Gabapentin medicine is also used as an off-label drug for treating bipolar disorder, mental illness, and chronic pain conditions. It is available in both generic and branded forms.
Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline medicine is also known as tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), which is commonly used to treat depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, migraines, and chronic headaches. This medicine helps to maintain a mental balance by increasing the levels of chemicals found in the brain.
It is considered a prescription-only medication to treat neuropathic pain and is sold in branded and generic variants. Amitriptyline does not belong to a controlled substance, but it contains some guidelines for its use.
Teva Pharmaceuticals and Cayman Chemical Company are the two top manufacturing companies of Amitriptyline drugs.
Functions
Gabapentin Mechanisms
Gabapentin functions by regulating the brain’s electrical activity and modifying the way nerves interact with the brain to reduce neuropathic pain. It also works in controlling seizures in individuals with epilepsy.
This medicine attaches to the alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in the brain and moderates the release of excitatory neurotransmitters that promote pain.
Amitriptyline Mechanisms
It works by raising the norepinephrine and serotonin levels. These are two neurotransmitters present in the brain that are responsible for supervising pain, sleep, and mood. Amitriptyline amplifies the activity of other neurotransmitters, like acetylcholine and dopamine which supply to therapeutic effects in the nerves.
Uses
Gabapentin
Gabapentin is used to treat nerve pain and partial seizures in some cases that can occur after having shingles (viral infection). This drug is also used to provide relief from restless leg syndrome and postherpetic neuralgia.
It is also used to treat other health complications. For instance, epilepsy, depression, back pain, insomnia, fibromyalgia, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and many more. Always use this drug as prescribed by your healthcare advisor.
Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline helps to restore the balance of natural substances in the brain and treats the signs of depression. This drug is used in treating different health complications like psychotic disorders, ADHD, bipolar and binge eating disorder (BED), arthritis, and many more chronic pains.
Dose and Dosage Strength
Gabapentin
Dose
Gabapentin comes in four types of dosage forms which can be prescribed by the doctor. These are as follows:
- Capsule
- Oral solution
- Extended-release (ER) Tablet
- Tablet
The available strengths of these forms include:
- Capsule: 100mg, 300mg and 400mg.
- Oral solution: 250mg/5 ml, 500mg/ml.
- Extended release (ER) tablet:300mg, 450mg, 600mg, 800mg and 900mg.
- Tablet: 600mg and 800mg
Dosage
For serving post-herpetic neuralgia and restless leg syndrome, specialists may propose the dose range between Gabapentin 300 mg to 600 mg/ day. In case of pediatric patients (5 years or older), the recommended dose is 10mg-15mg/ day as directed by their physician.
Amitriptyline
Dose
Experts may recommend the amitriptyline drug for controlling neuropathy pain and depression and is available in both oral tablets and liquid form. The following are some strengths of this medication.
- 10 mg
- 25 mg
- 50 mg
- 75 mg
- 100 mg
- 150 mg
Dosages
To get relief from pain, the initial dose is 10mg/ day for adults and children. It is preferable to take the dose of 25mg-50mg for patients suffering from depression and in treating nerve pain, the suggested dose is 10mg to 25mg. After monitoring the patient’s health condition, health specialists may increase the dose up to 100mg for nerve pain.
Side Effects
Gabapentin
Common side effects of this medicine are as follows:
- Fever and chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Feeling tired
- Weight gain
- Double vision
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Movement problems
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Swelling of the face
Adverse side effects of Gabapentin are:
- Seizures
- Anti-Anxiety
- Serious allergic reaction
- Kidney/ liver disease
- Breathing problems
- Joint pain
- Stomach aches
Amitriptyline
We list the harmful effects of Amitriptyline below
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Confusion
Serious side effects of this drug include:
- Liver problems
- Blurred vision
- Extreme allergic reaction
- Changes in heartbeat
- Unusual bleeding
- Hallucinations
- Chest pain
Precautions
- If you are consuming medicines that make breathing slow or drowsy, then do not take these medicines.
- Do not take these drugs as recreational medication as these may cause serious side effects like memory loss, panic attacks, and anxiety.
- Ignore multiple strong painkillers to take while consuming these drugs. Otherwise, it enhances the risk of dizziness and sedation.
- Always use Gabapentin vs Amitriptyline medicine with a doctor’s prescription.
- Follow the instructions of the doctor while taking the dosages.
- Never consume alcohol while using Gabapentin and Amitriptyline.
- To avoid any undesired adverse effects, read these medicines’ labels mindfully.
- Regularly check up your improvement and consult a primary care provider if you are experiencing any chronic symptoms.
- Use this medication without chewing, breaking, or crushing. Swallow them with a glass of water properly.
- Don’t take overdose or never stop these medicines suddenly; otherwise it may lead to withdrawal symptoms.
