Compare Lamictal vs. Neurontin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Lamictal (Lamotrigine)

Prescription only

Neurontin (gabapentin)

Prescription only
Prevents seizures and stabilizes mood.

Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is most useful for treating severe seizure disorders, and for bipolar disorder with more depression symptoms than manic symptoms. Just be careful to increase your dose slowly to avoid skin rash.

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3.7/ 5 average rating with 184 reviewsforLamictal
Treats tingling and burning nerve pain.

Neurontin (gabapentin) is an old seizure disorder medicine that is now used to treat nerve-related pain caused by different conditions.

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3.4/ 5 average rating with 620 reviewsforNeurontin
Upsides
  • Effective at lowering the frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy or Lennox-Gestaut syndrome. Typically used together with other medications for severe seizure disorders.
  • Works best for partial, tonic-clonic, and absence seizures.
  • A first-line treatment for bipolar disorder. Effective long-term treatment for stabilizing mood. Prevents both depressive and manic episodes, but the effect is greater for preventing depression.
  • Doesn't require routine blood tests.
  • Originally used to treat epilepsy (partial seizures), but now it primarily treats neuropathic pain that's caused by nerve stimulation or damage.
  • Studies show it's most effective for nerve pain from diabetes, shingles, and fibromyalgia (a painful muscle condition).
  • It's available as a generic, so it's less expensive than similar medications.
Downsides
  • Can cause double vision, dizziness, sleepiness, and headache.
  • Has the risk of a rare but life-threatening rash.
  • Can make hormonal birth control less effective.
  • Might be less effective than other medicines for treating manic episodes (acute mania) in people with bipolar disorder.
  • Neurontin (gabapentin) can cause some side effects, including memory problems, drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion. There is a higher risk for these side effects if you drink alcohol, so it might not be the best medication for heavy drinkers.
  • You can't skip or miss doses since suddenly stopping Neurontin (gabapentin) can cause seizures.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Chewable tablet
  • Dissolving tablet
  • Pill
  • Oral solution
  • Extended release
Price
Lowest price
$28.10
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Lowest price
$599.37
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Reviews
184 reviews so far
66%
saidit'sworth it
58%
saiditworked well
18%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Lamictal (Lamotrigine)?

Leave a review
620 reviews so far
57%
saidit'sworth it
40%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Neurontin (gabapentin)?

Leave a review
Side effects
36possible side effects
  • Dizziness
    38%
  • Headache
    28%
  • Diplopia
    28%
  • Ataxia
    22%
  • Nausea
    19%
  • Blurred vision
    16%
  • Somnolence
    14%
  • Rhinitis
    14%
  • Pharyngitis
    10%
  • Rash
    10%
  • Vomiting
    9%
  • Cough increased
    8%
  • Flu syndrome
    7%
  • Dysmenorrhea
    7%
  • Fever
    6%
  • Diarrhea
    6%
  • Incoordination
    6%
  • Insomnia
    6%
  • Abdominal pain
    5%
  • Dyspepsia
    5%
  • Constipation
    4%
  • Tremor
    4%
  • Depression
    4%
  • Anxiety
    4%
  • Vaginitis
    4%
  • Convulsion
    3%
  • Irritability
    3%
  • Speech disorder
    3%
  • Pruritus
    3%
  • Vision abnormality
    3%
  • Neck pain
    2%
  • Reaction aggravated (seizure exacerbation)
    2%
  • Anorexia
    2%
  • Arthralgia
    2%
  • Concentration disturbance
    2%
  • Amenorrhea
    2%
See more detailed side effects
20possible side effects
  • Dizziness
    28%
  • Drowsiness
    21%
  • Swelling in the limbs
    8%
  • Abnormal physical weakness
    6%
  • Diarrhea
    6%
  • Infection
    5%
  • Dry mouth
    5%
  • Constipation
    4%
  • Nausea
    4%
  • Headache
    3%
  • Accidental injury
    3%
  • Stomach pain
    3%
  • Vomiting
    3%
  • Worse coordination
    3%
  • Thinking abnormal
    3%
  • Decreased vision
    3%
  • Gas
    2%
  • Weight gain
    2%
  • Abnormal gait
    2%
  • Lack of coordination
    2%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior
    • History of depression
  • Serious skin rash
    • People also taking Depakote
    • Taking more than the prescribed dose
    • Increasing the dose too quickly
  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Blood disorders
  • Meningitis
  • Interactions with birth control pills
    • Taking birth control pills
  • Withdrawal seizures
    • Stopping Lamictal (Lamotrigine) suddenly
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior
  • Neurologic and psychiatric side effects (children)
    • Children ages 3 to 12
  • Serious allergic reaction and multiple organ problems
  • Driving impairment
    • Taking Neurontin (gabapentin) with alcohol
    • Taking other medicines that cause dizziness and/or drowsiness
  • Withdrawal seizures
    • Stopping Neurontin (gabapentin) suddenly
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
Learn more about Neurontin (gabapentin)