Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Lamictal vs. Neurontin

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

Key takeaways

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) and gabapentin (Neurontin) are both antiepileptic medications, but they have different uses and side effects. Lamotrigine is used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder, while gabapentin is used for seizures and nerve pain from shingles. Lamotrigine is available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms, whereas gabapentin is typically taken three times a day in immediate-release form. Gabapentin can cause dizziness and sleepiness, and it has a risk of misuse, leading some states to classify it as a controlled substance. Lamotrigine, on the other hand, can cause serious skin reactions and requires a slow increase in dosage to minimize this risk. Both medications can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and should not be stopped suddenly without consulting a healthcare provider. Lamotrigine is available as a lower-cost generic, while gabapentin is also available in generic form and as a liquid for those who have trouble swallowing pills.

  • Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
    Gabapentin (Neurontin)
  • Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
    Gabapentin (Neurontin)

  • Summary of Lamictal vs. Neurontin

    Summary for Antiepileptic
    Prescription only

    Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is an antiepileptic medication. The immediate-release version can treat different types of seizures as well as bipolar 1 disorder. But the extended-release version is only for seizures. Your dose depends on your age, the other medications you take, and what problem you're treating. Side effects can include dizziness, headache, and serious skin reactions. It can also cause withdrawal symptoms like seizures if you stop taking it suddenly.

    Summary for Antiepileptic
    Prescription only

    Gabapentin, also known by its brand name Neurontin, is used to treat nerve pain from shingles in adults. This medication can also help treat partial (focal) seizures in adults and children. Gabapentin (Neurontin) comes as pills and a liquid that you take by mouth. The dosage depends on things like what you're treating, how old you are, and how well the medication is working. In general, you take it 3 times a day. Common side effects include making you feel dizzy and sleepy.

  • Indications of Lamictal vs. Neurontin

    Indications for
    •Partial-onset seizures
    •Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures
    •Seizures from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - immediate-release only
    •Bipolar 1 disorder - immediate-release only
    Indications for
    •Nerve pain from shingles (postherpetic neuralgia) in adults
    •Partial (focal) seizures in people age 3 years and older

  • Pros and Cons of Lamictal vs. Neurontin

    Pros and Const for Antiepileptic
    Pros
    •Available in different formulations (regular immediate-release tablets, chewable tablets, quick-dissolving tablets, and extended-release tablets)
    •Can use a starter kit to help with dosing when you first start the medication
    •Approved for children of certain ages with seizures (age depends on formulation)
    Cons
    •Can cause dizziness and headaches
    •Must start at a low dose and have the dose slowly raised to lower the risk of serious rash
    •Interacts with many medications, like birth control pills, divalproex (Depakote), and dofetilide (Tikosyn)
    Pros and Const for Antiepileptic
    Pros
    •An option for relieving nerve pain caused by shingles
    •Can take with other anti-seizure medications for partial-onset seizures in people 3 years and older
    •Available as a tablet, capsule, and liquid for those who have trouble swallowing pills
    Cons
    •Usually need to taken three times per day
    •Can cause dizziness and sleepiness
    •Can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the medication too suddenly or too fast

  • Common Side Effects of Lamictal vs. Neurontin

    Common Side Effects for

    Immediate release:

    •Dizziness (38%)
    •Headache (29%)
    •Double vision (28%)
    •Problems with coordination (22%)
    •Nausea (19%)
    •Blurry vision (16%)
    •Sleepiness (14%)
    •Runny or stuffy nose (14%)
    •Sore throat (10%)
    •Rash (10%)

    Extended release:

    •Dizziness (14%)
    •Nausea (7%)
    •Vomiting (6%)
    •Tremor (6%)
    •Feeling tired (6%)
    •Double vision (5%)
    •Diarrhea (5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness (19%)
    •Dizziness (17%)
    •Poor muscle control or clumsiness (13%)
    •Fatigue (11%)

  • Warnings of Lamictal vs. Neurontin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Serious skin rashes
    •Serious allergic reaction
    •Overactive immune response to the medication
    •Irregular heartbeat
    •Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior
    •Meningitis (inflammation in the brain)
    •Withdrawal seizures
    •Possible eye problems
    •Interactions with other medications
    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Sleepiness, dizziness, and trouble concentrating
    •Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior
    •Higher risk of seizures and other side effects if you stop the medication too suddenly or too fast
    •Dangerously slowed breathing
    •Changes in behavior in children

  • Prices with our coupons for Lamictal vs. Neurontin

    Learn more about Lamotrigine
    Learn more about Gabapentin

Compare other Epilepsy drugs

Dilantin vs LamictalElavil vs LamictalLamictal vs AbilifyLamictal vs AptiomLamictal vs BanzelLamictal vs DepakoteLamictal vs DesipramineLamictal vs ImitrexLamictal vs KeppraLamictal vs LatudaLamictal vs LidocaineLamictal vs LithiumLamictal vs NeurontinLamictal vs PropranololLamictal vs SeroquelLamictal vs TrileptalLamictal vs VimpatLamictal vs ZonegranLamictal vs ZyprexaTegretol vs LamictalTopamax vs LamictalValproic Acid vs LamictalVraylar vs LamictalZarontin vs LamictalAbilify vs SeroquelHaldol vs SeroquelInvega vs SeroquelLoxapine vs SeroquelNeurontin vs SeroquelRemeron vs Seroquel
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.