Posted by Larry Hoover on December 23, 2005, at 12:03:43
In reply to Re: Pregabalin / Lyrica, posted by cecilia on December 23, 2005, at 0:54:22
> Biochemically, how different is pregabalin from gabapentin? I take gabapentin for neuropathy-it has no side effects but I don't think it really has much benefit either. I'm quite certain my HMO wouldn't cover pregabalin. Is there any real difference? Cecilia
Well, it's a different molecule, so it's really hard to compare things, literally.
Neurontin has a non-linear dose-response curve. Doubling the dose from 600 to 1200 mg/day might only increase actual drug concentrations by 30 or 40%. Pregabalin is linear. Blood concentration is directly proportional to intake.
Pregabalin is not metabolized at all, so it really can't produce a drug interaction (in the classic sense).
Pregabalin was designed to hit a specific receptor which is thought to be integral to, if not responsible for, the chronic aspect of neuropathic pain.
My initial thought was "big deal", with regards to how it affected my pain. But, in a very reserved way, I almost am afraid to give it voice, it might be making the pain back off.
If pain was music, Lyrica killed the treble. The music was just as loud, and the bass notes (achiness and the like) were still right there, but the sharps were gone. And now, it's possible, but I'm not sure, maybe the bass notes are becoming muted. I still take the same dose of opiate. I still have bad days. But maybe in the lulls, maybe, it ain't so bad.
I've only been on it for 2 months? We'll just have to see.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:590461
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20051214/msgs/591557.html