Weight gain may occur in a small number of people taking gabapentin, likely due to factors including fatigue and an increased appetite. Common gabapentin side effects that may affect many patients include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, and mood changes. 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. More rarely, gabapentin can cause fluid buildup (edema), weight gain, and vision problems. It can also cause diarrhea. More serious (but rare) side effects include suicidal thoughts or behavior, and mood changes in children. How do you avoid gaining weight while taking gabapentin? What is the right gabapentin dosage for me? Can you drink alcohol while taking gabapentin? Is gabapentin addictive? Is it safe to take gabapentin for sleep? How does gabapentin work? Researchers are not entirely sure how gabapentin works. Does gabapentin cause weight gain? Gabapentin can cause weight gain in some individuals, though it’s not a common side effect.Studies have shown that a small percentage of people may experience about 5 pounds of weight gain after 6 weeks of use. Yes, gabapentin can affect metabolism in a way that might contribute to weight gain. Like some other anti-seizure medications, it can alter appetite, cause fluid retention, and induce fatigue which can lead to less physical activity, all of which affect metabolism. Curious if and how gabapentin might affect your weight? Here’s what research says about this nerve medication and how to mitigate possible gabapentin weight gain. Not everyone who takes gabapentin will experience weight gain as a side effect. Weight gain can vary from person to person, and some individuals may not experience any changes in body weight while taking gabapentin. Can weight gain from gabapentin be managed or prevented? While weight gain associated with gabapentin may be challenging to Gabapentin can cause fluid buildup in the legs (edema), which can lead to temporary weight gain. You can also gain weight without fluid buildup, though it’s not common. You may be able to avoid weight gain from gabapentin by adjusting your diet and exercising regularly. Applies to gabapentin: oral capsule, oral solution, oral suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release 24 hr. Serious side effects of gabapentin. Along with its needed effects, gabapentin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Common side effects of gabapentin include: flulike symptoms such as fever or body aches. Rare but serious side effects of gabapentin include: changes in memory, ability to concentrate, or personality. Gabapentin may cause breathing problems in people who use opioid pain medicines and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Gabapentin doesn't directly change your body's metabolic rate, but it can affect your weight in several indirect ways [8]. You might experience: Studies show clear evidence of Gabapentin's effect on weight. Here's what researchers discovered: Patients gained an average of 4.8 pounds after just 1.5 months of treatment [9]. Another drawback: Weight gain as a side effect can make people less likely to stick to their prescribed medication, says Devika Umashanker, M.D., system medical director with Hartford HealthCare’s Medical and Surgical Weight Loss Program and an obesity medicine specialist. When it hits, I'm out like a light. My husband can't even move me if I'm on the couch. I have noticed changes in appetite, I can hardly eat half of what's on my plate. I want it and it looks good, I just can't finish it. I have definitely lost weight in the past couple weeks. 2 dresses I wanted to wear this weekend didn't fit. Too big. Gabapentin can also affect specific parts of the body and cause serious but rare side effects. These include: particularly if weight gain from gabapentin is a concern; 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. 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 Neurontin or gabapentin is a prescription medication used to treat seizures and postherpetic neuralgia, a type of nerve pain that can occur after a shingles attack. Although this medication effectively treats these conditions, like other drugs, gabapentin can also have some unwanted side effects like weight gain. While weight gain is a rare
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