SHEET /vs/gabapentin-vs-pregabalin · COMPARISON
Gabapentin vs Pregabalin: what is the difference?
How they differ
Both are built on the skeleton of GABA, the brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter, and neither actually acts on the GABA receptor. Both bind the alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage gated calcium channels instead, reducing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters, which is how they work in nerve pain and in some seizure types. The practical difference is absorption: gabapentin is taken up by a saturable transporter, so absorption falls as the amount rises and the response is hard to predict, while pregabalin is absorbed proportionally and predictably. Pregabalin is the smaller molecule at 159.23 against 171.24 and is a controlled substance in the US and the UK where gabapentin's status varies. Gabapentin's reported oral LD50 is 8000 mg/kg in rats.
Side by side
| Gabapentin | Pregabalin | |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | C9H17NO2 | C8H17NO2 |
| Molecular weight | 171.24 g/mol | 159.23 g/mol |
| Family | Anticonvulsants | Anticonvulsants |
| Everyday group | Prescription medicine | Prescription medicine |
| Functional groups | Carboxylic Acids, Amines | Carboxylic Acids, Amines |
| GHS signal wordThe supplier-filed hazard label, not a statement about ordinary use. | Danger | Danger |
| Oral LD50A single acute animal measure. It ranks nothing about human safety. | 8,000 mg/kg (oral, rat) | not recorded |
| CAS number | 60142-96-3 | 148553-50-8 |
| PubChem CID | 3446 | 5486971 |
Common questions
- What is the difference between Gabapentin and Pregabalin?
- Both are built on the skeleton of GABA, the brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter, and neither actually acts on the GABA receptor. Both bind the alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage gated calcium channels instead, reducing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters, which is how they work in nerve pain and in some seizure types. The practical difference is absorption: gabapentin is taken up by a saturable transporter, so absorption falls as the amount rises and the response is hard to predict, while pregabalin is absorbed proportionally and predictably.
- Is Gabapentin bigger than Pregabalin?
- Gabapentin is the heavier molecule, 171.24 g/mol against 159.23 g/mol for Pregabalin. Gabapentin is C9H17NO2 and Pregabalin is C8H17NO2.
Read the full records: Gabapentin and Pregabalin.