Compare Tegretol vs. Neurontin

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

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Tegretol (carbamazepine)

Prescription only

Neurontin (gabapentin)

Prescription only
Treats seizures and epilepsy.

Tegretol (carbamazepine) is useful for preventing seizures and relieving certain types of nerve pain, but reduces how well many other medications work.

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3.3/ 5 average rating with 61 reviewsforTegretol
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
  • Lowers the frequency of seizures, especially for people with tonic-clonic and partial seizures.
  • First-choice option for trigeminal neuralgia (nerve pain involving the face, head, and neck), and can relieve other types of nerve pain.
  • Equetro is helpful in stabilizing mood for people with bipolar disorder.
  • Available as a generic in many forms: pill, extended-release pill, suspension, and chewable tablet.
  • 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
  • Takes several weeks to feel the full effects.
  • Interacts with many other medicines and supplements.
  • Higher risk of skin reactions compared to other antiepileptic medicines, ranging from mild to life-threatening rash.
  • Requires routine blood tests to see how the medicine is affecting your body.
  • Can't take the suspension form with other liquid medications.
  • 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 pill
  • Suspension
  • Chewable tablet
  • Pill
  • Oral solution
  • Extended release
Price
Lowest price
$42.98
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Lowest price
$767.00
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Reviews
61 reviews so far
56%
saidit'sworth it
43%
saiditworked well
23%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Tegretol (carbamazepine)?

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
The Tegretol (carbamazepine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
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
  • Life-threatening skin reactions
    • Carrying HLA-B*1502 gene
    • Asian ancestry
  • Blood disorders
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior
    • History of depression
  • Serious allergic reactions
    • History of allergic reaction to Trileptal (oxcarbamazepine)
  • Pregnancy
  • Mental changes due to low sodium
    • Age 65 or older
    • Dehydration
    • Taking diuretics (water pills)
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 Tegretol (carbamazepine)
Learn more about Neurontin (gabapentin)