Pregabalin is an oral pharmaceutical used to treat seizures and pain brought on by neurologic conditions such as postherpetic neuralgia. It shares chemical similarities with the drug gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin). Additionally, fibromyalgia is treated with it.
Analgesic (painkiller) tramadol is used to treat mild to moderately severe pain. Tramadol and morphine both work through a similar mechanism. Similar to morphine, tramadol attaches to narcotic or opioid receptors in the brain, which are critical for carrying pain signals from different parts of the body to the brain. Tramadol users run the risk of abusing the drug and developing an addiction to it, just like those who use other opiates to alleviate pain.
A Quick View On the Difference Between Pregabalin & Tramadol
· Tramadol and Lyrica (pregabalin) are prescribed to alleviate pain.
· Lyrica is used to treat fibromyalgia, postherpetic neuralgia, and neuropathic pain brought on by diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Adults with partial onset seizures can be treated with Lyrica alone or in conjunction with other medications.
· The painkiller tramadol is used to treat mild to moderately severe pain.
· Tramadol is sold under the brand names Ultram, Ultram ER, and Conzip.
· Tramadol and Pregabalin tablets are from separate medication classes. Tramadol is a painkiller, and Lyrica is an anti-epileptic medication (AED) (analgesic).
· Dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, sleepiness, and visual abnormalities are side effects of tramadol and Lyrica that are comparable.
· Fatigue, abnormal gait, fluid retention (edema), weight gain, low blood pressure, tremor, heart failure, vomiting, difficulty concentrating, disorientation, increased appetite, gas, amnesia, myoclonus, reduced blood platelet counts, and elevated blood creatinine kinase levels are side effects of Lyrica.
Are Lyrica or tramadol addictive?
Lyrica
Addiction is not one of Lyrica's known negative effects.
Tramadol
The drug tramadol is addictive. The Schedule IV prohibited narcotic tramadol has a history of abuse, addiction, and misuse. Even at the amount, your doctor recommended, tramadol may cause addiction. Tramadol abuse or misuse can result in overdose and death.
If your doctor lowers your dosage or you abruptly stop taking tramadol, you may have withdrawal symptoms similar to those associated with other opioids.
What is the dosage of Pregabalin vs. tramadol?
Pregabalin
· Taking Pregabalin tablets with or without food is acceptable.
· The recommended starting dose for neuropathic pain brought on by diabetic peripheral neuropathy is 50 mg three times day (a total of 150 mg/day). After a week, the dose can be raised to a maximum of 100 mg three times per day (300 mg per day).
· Treatment for postherpetic neuralgia: 75–150 mg twice daily or 50–100 mg three times daily are suggested dosages. Starting doses should be 75 mg twice daily or 50 mg three times daily (total of 150 mg/day).
Tramadol
· 50-100 mg (immediate-release tablets) of tramadol, if needed for pain, should be taken every 4-6 hours.
· The daily dosing cap is 400 mg.
· Patients should start at 25 mg per day in order to increase tolerance, and doses may be increased by 25–50 mg every three days to achieve 50–100 mg per day every 4–6 hours.
· For extended-release tablets, the suggested dose is 100 mg per day, which can be increased by 100 mg every five days, but not more than 300 mg per day. The total daily dose should be rounded to the nearest 100 mg in order to switch from immediate release to prolonged release. Extended-release pills should not be chewed or crushed; they should be eaten whole.
