Gabapentin vs Pregabalin: what is the difference?
Gabapentin and pregabalin bind the same calcium channel subunit, but pregabalin is absorbed predictably and gabapentin less so as the amount rises.
Sources and notes
- The sentence under the titlefrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notesThe pair's answer line.
- The two drawingscomputedMoleculeFinder rule (RDKit MCS)Each molecule's own drawing, as its page shows it. The common core, 4 of 12 atoms, is too small to align on.
Side by side
| Gabapentin | Pregabalin | |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weightCalculated PubChem | 171.24 g/molC9H17NO2 | 159.23 g/molC8H17NO2 |
| Hydrogen-bond donorsCalculated PubChem | 2 | 2 |
| FamilyEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Anticonvulsants | Anticonvulsants |
| Everyday groupEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Prescription medicine | Prescription medicine |
| Chemical groupsCalculated Found by rule (RDKit) | Carboxylic Acids, Amines | Carboxylic Acids, Amines |
| Hazard labelReported ECHA, HSDB via PubChem; ECHA via PubChem | Danger | Danger |
| The supplier-filed hazard label's signal word, not a statement about ordinary use. | ||
Sources and notes
- Molecular weightcomputedPubChemComputed from the structure; the formula is under each weight.
- Hydrogen-bond donorscomputedPubChemThe hydrogens on nitrogen or oxygen that each molecule can lend to a hydrogen bond, counted from its structure.
- Familyfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Everyday groupfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Chemical groupscomputedFound by rule (RDKit)Each group is found in the structure by a chemical pattern.
- Hazard labelfrom sourceECHA, HSDB via PubChem; ECHA via PubChem
- ECHAfrom sourceAttributionSource: European Chemicals Agency, echa.europa.eu.
- Identifiersfrom sourcePubChemPubChem CID 3446 (Gabapentin) and 5486971 (Pregabalin).
In more detail
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.
Sources and notes
- The paragraphfrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notes
Questions
- What is the difference between Gabapentin and Pregabalin?
- Gabapentin and pregabalin bind the same calcium channel subunit, but pregabalin is absorbed predictably and gabapentin less so as the amount rises.
- 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.
Sources and notes
- The answersfrom sourceMoleculeFinderThe first is the pair's answer line; the others are read off the table above.