Gabapentin to Lyrica
 

I am in the process of titrateing from Gapentin to Lyrica. Can anyone tell me what milligrams (mg) of Gapentin equal virtually the same amount of Lyrica.
In otherwords if I was taking 4000mg per day of Gabapentin (10 x 400mg)
what would be an equiivalent amount of Lyrica?
The reason I am changing drugs is that after 10 years it is no longer effective. So far Lyrica seems to be working. Right now 400 Lyrica and 2400 Gabapentin. Would like to know what amount of Lyrica to add and what amount of Gabapentn to reduce. It may just be trial and error.
Thanks for the replies.

I think that the max dose for Lyrica is 600 mg. a day. I made the switch myself and am very happy about it. Lyrica works better for me with less side effects, but we are all different. Hope it works for you too.

Everyone responds differently
 

I realize Gabapentin and Lyrica are similar, some people respond better to one than the other, but just wondering if anyone has any knowledge on one of these drugs being a better choice in relation to long term effects, rate of absorbtion, safety, etc........

New to post
 

I have been having this shooting pain for only a couple of years, but now it is on a scale of 7-8. I have been taking Gabapentin, but I cannot handle more then 900mg, I get too tired, I look and feel drugged at work to and may loose my job. I am hoping the side effects of Lyrica are better. But no Dr seems to know what is wrong, one says I have neuropathy, but EMG test shows I do not. I have burning pain which started in my left big toe, then numbness in my left foot and calve. The pain was just annoying at first for about two years, now I am getting chills, and the pain level is 7-8. I had colitis, and had my colon removed so I know pain pretty well. My neurologist says it is due to irritation of my 5th lumbar but it is not bad enough to operate. Said to take narcotics which I never want to touch again. He will not give me the time of day, saying he made his diagnosis, now go to you PM. I would rather have my leg removed then go through this pain and drugs. Cannot maintain my job being s doped up. Sorry just venting here.

I think Lyrica has a better absorption rate, thats why you can take so much less of it than the Gabapentin.

supposed to be 10% per week . that is down 10%old up 10% new every week. Lyrica is very potent. Most stay clear after trying it no doubt going in to hard to fast. The side effects will diminish though it may take a very long time.

For Now........
 

I guess I'll stay on my Gabapentin, the increased dose seems to have kicked in, just within the last few days, not perfect by any means, but about a 50% reduction of sensations. It is amazing how eliminating the symptoms can help your state of mind. Especially if I am busy, moving a lot, when I sit down or am still it is more noticeable. So glad it stops when I sleep.

However if I have to keep increasing Gab, I am going to ask for Lyrica. I take 1200 mg. now and am getting fatter by the minute!

I think that for the the titration, the equivalence is 300mg Lyrica = 1800 mg gabapentin

Helpful
 

Thanks, the information has been very helpful in giving me a guideline of how much of each drug to use while I titrate from Gabapentin to Lyrica.
I hope to have a positive report soon.

After 3 weeks on Lyrica it already is not working as well. I feel so discouraged. I'm on a low dose, but why does it seem that it stops working so fast. I had same problem with Gabapenin. I increased my Lyrica 2 days ago, but still no relief. How long will it take to begin working again?

I think drugs typically start failing after a while, because the body gets used to them, and adjusts things so the feeling ability is restored.

For example, in the brain, it has been recently discovered that in people taking opiates for pain, over time, the body, creates MORE receptors, so the drug level has to be increased. This happens in the glial support cells, which detect that pain signals are impaired, or blocked, and the glial cells send out a chemical that induces the neurons to make more receptors. This is the basis for one form of "tolerance".

Biological tolerance appears to be the way the body will continue to provide a framework for sensory transmission.

You know when I first started taking neurontin I felt like it was helping and then for a long period did not. I wonder if it was just that I was having a better time pain wise but not so much from the med.
I heard that when I was at Cleveland Clinic pain program about opiates and the brain receptors.

I aqm familiar with the development of more receptors, just didn't think it would happen so fast. I have taken opiates for bladder pain for over 10 years and still can take the same dose to get the same relief. Lyrica and Gaba seem to wear off sooooo much faster.

lyrica and fentanyl
 

I have been taking a combination of Lyrica (300mg per day) and a fentanyl patch (75 mcg) for about 10 months and can say that I have almost no pain at all. It may seem like a lot of medicine, but I tolerate it very well. I was diagnosed with neuropathy three years ago, and in the beginning had all of the symptoms...terrible burning, shooting pains, numbness from mid calf down. I wasn't able to do anything. With this medicine, I am back to doing most of the things that I did before. My pain level is usually 2-3, although there are times that it goes up to 8-9, usually first thing in the morning. God bless you all...hope this helps!:)

Hi Rose
I took lyrica up to 450 mg once and it did nothing after being super fab up to about 300mg where it eventually lost its effect.

most take a cocktail. Adding elavil 25mg can make a startling difference.
Tramadol is another. Good Luck