Millions of people in the USA are affected by chronic pain, both Gabapentin Vs Amitriptyline medicines 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 in the USA is suffering from neuropathic pain (nerve pain).
To treat these types of pain, a doctor may prescribe you Gabapentin or Amitriptyline medicine 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.Â
Gabapentin
Gabapentin drug comes under a class of medicines called anticonvulsants, which are used to reduce the electrical activity in the brain. This drug helps in treating seizures, restless leg syndrome, and nerve pain. It is a prescription medicine. 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.
This medicine was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993 for treating several health conditions related to neuropathy pain. Zydus Pharmaceuticals is the manufacturing company of Gabapentin drugs in the USA.
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. It is sold in branded and generic variants. This drug is approved by the FDA to treat neuropathic pain. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has not listed this medicine as a controlled substance, but it contains some of the guidelines and rules for its uses.
Teva Pharmaceuticals and Cayman Chemical Company are the two top manufacturing companies of Amitriptyline drugs in the USA.
FunctionsÂ
Gabapentin
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.
It binds to the Alpha-2-Delta Subunit of Voltage-Gated Calcium channels in the brain and lowers the release of excitatory neurotransmitters that cause pain.
Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline works by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin, neurotransmitters present in the brain that are responsible for regulating pain, sleep, and mood.
The drug modulates the activity of other neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and dopamine which contributes 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: 100 mg, 300 mg and 400 mg.
- Oral solution: 250 mg/5 ml, 500 mg/ml.
- Extended release (ER) tablet:300 mg, 450 mg, 600 mg, 800 mg and 900 mg.
- Tablet: 600 mg and 800 mg
Dosage
The recommended dosage of Gabapentin is 300 mg to 600 mg per day for patients with post-herpetic neuralgia and restless leg syndrome, and for pediatric patients of age 5 years or older, the dosage is 10 mg to 15 mg daily or as prescribed by the doctor.
Amitriptyline
Dose
Amitriptyline medicine is used to treat neuropathy pain and depression. It is available in oral tablets and liquid. The strengths of this drug are as follows:
- 10 mg
- 25 mg
- 50 mg
- 75 mg
- 100 mg
- 150 mg
Dosages
The starting dose of this medicine is 10 mg per day for adults and children to provide relief from pain. For patients suffering from depression, the initial dose is 25 mg to 50 mg, and for nerve pain, it is 10 mg to 25 mg which may be increased up to 100 mg, and after monitoring the patient’s health condition.
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 face
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Skin rashes
Adverse side effects of Gabapentin are:
- Increased seizures
- Anxiety
- Anaphylaxis (serious allergic reaction)
- Kidney injury
- Breathing problems
- Suicidal thoughts
- DRESS syndrome ( Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms)
- Joint pain
- Stomach cramps
Amitriptyline
Common side effects of Amitriptyline are mentioned below:
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Feeling sleepy
- Nausea
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Confusion
Serious side effects of this drug include:
- Liver problems
- Blurred vision
- Allergic reaction
- Rapid heartbeat
- Unusual bleeding
- Difficulty in urinating
- 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.
- These medicines can also increase the risk of dizziness and sedation, so avoid taking strong painkillers while consuming these drugs.
- Always use Gabapentin or Amitriptyline medicine with a doctor’s prescription.
- Follow the instructions of the doctor while taking the dosages.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking Gabapentin or Amitriptyline.
- Avoid activities that need alertness.
- Read these medicines’ labels carefully to avoid any unwanted side effects.
- Regularly monitor your progress and consult with the healthcare expert if you are facing any chronic symptoms.
- Do not break, crush, or chew these medicines, swallow them with a glass of water.
- Do not overdose on these medicines and stop consuming them suddenly as it may lead to withdrawal symptoms.
