Metanx vs. Lyrica

Metanx (L-methylfolate calcium [as Metafolin], algae-S powder [Schizochytrium], pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, and methylcobalamin) and Lyrica (pregabalin) are used to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Lyrica is also used for neuropathic (nerve) pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia, and for treating partial onset seizures in adults, and fibromyalgia.

Metanx and Lyrica belong to different drug classes. Metanx is a prescription medical food and Lyrica is an anti-epileptic drug (anticonvulsant).

Side effects of Metanx and Lyrica that are similar include drowsiness.

Side effects of Metanx that are different from Lyrica include acne, skin reactions, allergic reactions, sensitivity to sunlight, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, increased liver function test results, numbness and tingling, headaches, diarrhea, itching, temporary skin rash, and the feeling of swelling of the entire body.

Side effects of Lyrica that are different from Metanx include dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, dry mouth, constipation, edema, breast swelling, tremors, blurred vision, weight gain, and problems with memory or concentration.

Metanx may interact with other drugs.

Lyrica may interact with alcohol, other drugs that make you drowsy (narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety or seizures, oral diabetes medicines, and ACE inhibitors.

Common side effects of Metanx include:

• acne,
• skin reactions,
• allergic reactions,
• sensitivity to sunlight,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• abdominal pain,
• loss of appetite,
• increased liver function test results,
• numbness and tingling,
• drowsiness,
• nausea,
• headaches,
• diarrhea,
• itching,
• temporary skin rash, and
• the feeling of swelling of the entire body.

Common side effects of Lyrica include:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Edema
• Breast swelling
• Tremors
• Blurred vision
• Weight gain
• Problems with memory or concentration

Metanx (L-methylfolate calcium [as Metafolin], algae-S powder [Schizochytrium], pyridoxal-5 '-phosphate, and methylcobalamin) is a prescription medical food for use only under the supervision of a physician for the clinical dietary management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and is specially formulated to meet the distinctive nutritional requirements for this condition.

Lyrica (pregabalin) is an anti-epileptic drug (anticonvulsant) used for neuropathic (nerve) pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia, and for treating partial onset seizures in adults, and fibromyalgia.

Metanx may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Metanx. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Lyrica may also interact with alcohol, other medicines that can make you sleepy (sold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for anxiety), or rosiglitazone.

The usual adult dose of Metanx may be taken as one capsule twice daily or two capsules once daily, or as directed under medical supervision.

The recommended dose of Lyrica is 75-600 mg daily. Alcohol and drugs that cause sedation may increase the sedative effects of Lyrica. There are no adequate studies of Lyrica in pregnant women. If you become pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Lyrica on the baby. It is unknown if Lyrica passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while using Lyrica is not recommended.