Higher doses and longer treatment periods increase your risk of weight gain [11]. People who take Gabapentin might gain about 5 pounds after just 6 weeks of use [12]. Weight gain affected 3% of patients over 12 years old with epilepsy, compared to 2% who took a placebo [12]. Topiramate has one huge advantage over many other psychotropics: it causes weight loss -not gain. While gabapentin caused an average gain of 2.2 kg during randomized trials (nearly as much as olanzapine’s 2.4 kg and worse than quetiapine’s 1.1 kg), topiramate caused an average loss of 3.8 kg. 3 Gabapentin may cause weight gain by increasing your appetite, causing fluid retention, and inhibiting physical activity by causing fatigue. Because gabapentin is an anticonvulsant, it prevents seizures and nerve pain by reducing nerve activity in the central nervous system. In a review of 69 patients, 11 adults experienced a mean weight gain of 6.9 kg within an average of 3.5 months of starting gabapentin therapy. This weight gain was observed even in the absence of changes in appetite or eating behavior, suggesting a direct effect of the medication 5. What is the average weight gain on gabapentin? If you gain weight while taking gabapentin, it will probably be 5-10% of your initial weight over a span of 12 months. Lifestyle factors and dose can play a significant role in determining how much, if any, weight you gain. Weight gain is not considered a common side effect of gabapentin. In clinical trials, only about 2% of people reported weight gain with its use. In people who do gain weight while on gabapentin, a research study showed a weight gain of about 5.5 pounds after 1.5 months of use. Other gabapentin side effects include edema (fluid buildup), weight gain, and eye problems, but these aren’t as common. Rare but serious gabapentin side effects include mood changes in children. It can also cause suicidal thoughts or behaviors in children and adults. A. Weight gain is among the most common side effects of pregabalin, reported by up to 14 percent of patients taking it (Federal Practitioner, May 2021). Sadly, we could not find studies demonstrating that reducing the dose results in weight loss. One study included patients taking pregabalin for neuropathic pain and found an average weight gain of 3.6 lbs during the 12- to 18-month follow-up. Those who were taking a higher dose gained more weight: an average of 6.5 lbs. [2] Yes, gabapentin can cause weight gain. One review article looking at weight gain from medications found an average weight gain of almost 5 pounds after just 1.5 months on gabapentin. A systematic review and meta-analysis of various drugs associated with weight change found that gabapentin was linked to an average weight gain of 2.2 kg. This analysis included data from multiple randomized trials, providing robust evidence of gabapentin's potential to cause weight gain . In the placebo group, weight changes ranged from a weight gain of 9 kg (19.8 lb) to a weight loss of 10 kg (22 lb). In one group of 333 diabetic patients who took Lyrica for at least 2 years, the average weight gain was 5.2 kg (11.4 lb). For most beta blockers, the average weight gain is about 2 lbs to 3 lbs. But some may cause more weight gain than others. Metoprolol and propranolol are reported to cause weight gain of up to about 5 lbs. Atenolol may cause a bit more weight gain — up to 7.5 lbs. 7. Corticosteroids like prednisone Gabapentin may cause weight gain, but it is an uncommon side effect. Studies have shown that a small number of people taking gabapentin, a drug used to treat epilepsy and postherpetic neuralgia, experienced weight gain. People who do gain weight may gain about 5 pounds after 6 weeks of use. The authors reviewed changes in body weight in 44 patients treated with Gabapentin (GPN) for a period of 12 or more months. All patients had a seizure disorder and the dose of GPN was increased aiming at complete seizure control or until side effects limited further increase. Twenty-eight patients w 2025 Copyright | All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy lyricaegj.com Weight gain from gabapentin unrelated to peripheral edema isn’t very common. To avoid weight gain from gabapentin, make sure you’re taking the dose your prescriber recommends. Taking higher doses of gabapentin increases your risk of weight gain and severe side effects like extreme drowsiness. In those who do experience weight gain, the average increase is around 16 pounds according to the prescribing information for the drugs (Gabapenin, Gralise, Horizant). The weight gain appears to be closely associated with another gabapentin side effect, appetite increase. Most nerve medications typically are not associated with weight gain. However: Why does gabapentin cause weight gain? There are several possible explanations for gabapentin weight gain: Fatigue: The most common side effect, which can lead to less activity and more eating. The outcomes of this meta-analysis were: 1) absolute weight change (Abs WC)—weight loss or gain assessed as a continuous outcome expressed as a mean difference in the absolute weight change in kilograms or as a body mass index (BMI) change in kilograms/(meter) 2; 2) percentage weight change (Per WC)—weight loss or gain assessed as a
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