Key takeaways
Nortriptyline (Pamelor) and gabapentin (Neurontin) are both prescription medications, but they are used for different purposes and belong to different drug classes. Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) primarily used to treat depression, while gabapentin is an antiepileptic used to treat certain seizures and nerve pain. Nortriptyline works by adjusting levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, whereas gabapentin's exact mechanism is not fully understood but is thought to calm nerves by mimicking the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Nortriptyline is typically taken three to four times daily, while gabapentin is usually taken three times daily, with both available in generic forms. Nortriptyline can take 6 to 8 weeks to show full effects, while gabapentin may start working within a week but can take up to a month for full benefits. Both medications can cause dizziness and have a risk of increasing suicidal thoughts, but gabapentin also has a risk of severe allergic reactions and respiratory depression. Nortriptyline should not be stopped abruptly due to withdrawal symptoms, and the same caution applies to gabapentin, which can also cause seizures if stopped suddenly.
