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Use this hub to compare product type, prescription status, ingredients, formulation, cost and availability questions for selected pain and neuropathy medicines.

Pain & Neuropathy Medication Questions

Pain treatment can involve very different products: prescription medicines for specific conditions, over-the-counter pain relievers, and in selected cases compounded prescriptions. The useful pharmacy question is not simply “what treats pain?” but which active ingredient, product, dosage form and prescription status apply to the situation.

Gabapentin / Neurontin

Gabapentin is a prescription medicine. The current Neurontin labeling includes management of postherpetic neuralgia in adults and adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures. Capsules, tablets and an oral solution are represented in current labeling. For brand/generic, formulation, refill, price and availability context, see gabapentin / Neurontin.

Advil Dual Action with Acetaminophen

Advil Dual Action with Acetaminophen is an OTC combination pain reliever. Current DailyMed labeling identifies each caplet as containing acetaminophen 250 mg plus ibuprofen 125 mg. This is different from single-ingredient ibuprofen or single-ingredient acetaminophen products. See Advil Dual Action product information.

When compounding enters the discussion

Prescription compounding may be considered when a patient's medical need cannot be met by an appropriate FDA-approved medicine, such as a need related to an ingredient or dosage form. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and FDA does not review them before marketing for safety, effectiveness or quality. Compounded medication should not be presented as inherently safer, stronger or better than an approved product. Learn more at compounding pharmacy.

Questions to bring to the pharmacy

  • Is this medicine prescription or OTC?
  • What are the active ingredients and dosage form?
  • Is the prescription written for a brand or generic product?
  • Can the prescribed product currently be obtained?
  • What is the current price and what coverage rules apply?
  • Are refills available under the current prescription?

Availability, prices and coverage can change and should be confirmed directly. For current product and prescription questions, use the pharmacy consultation page.