Yes, some patients experience mild weight loss while taking gabapentin. It isn’t fully understood why, but in rare cases, gabapentin can cause digestive problems and nausea, potentially leading to weight loss. However, weight gain or no change in weight are much more likely side effects. 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. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Will Changing the Dose Lead to Weight Loss? Q. I take 200 mg Lyrica daily for nerve pain but I have gained weight. If I cut my dose in half, will I have a corresponding weight loss? 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 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. 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. Talk to your prescriber if you gain weight. They can check for other causes. If you’re taking gabapentin, avoid driving until you know how it affects you. More rarely, gabapentin can cause fluid buildup (edema), weight gain, and vision problems. It can also cause diarrhea. 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. 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. In addition to the other side effects of gabapentin, weight gain is a concern for many patients. Gabapentin can cause weight gain, but this side effect is usually rare. People may gain weight while taking gabapentin because the drug increases their appetite and causes water retention, mainly in the arms, hands, legs, and feet. Gabapentin’s ability to reduce appetite may contribute to weight loss. By decreasing hunger, individuals may naturally consume fewer calories, leading to weight loss. Gabapentin may influence metabolic pathways, affecting how the body processes energy and stores fat. Some seizure meds may cause weight loss while others may have no effect on weight. Valproate and gabapentin are seizure medications commonly linked to weight gain. Other ASMs, like topiramate Diabetes drugs that may cause weight gain include: Injectable insulin: The hormone works by helping the body’s cells absorb glucose. Insulin causes a spike in weight, however, when the cells absorb too much glucose and the body converts it into fat. Not everyone with type 2 diabetes is on insulin. The short answer is: Yes, some people have lost weight while taking gabapentin, but it’s not a typical or expected side effect. While weight gain is a more commonly reported issue associated with gabapentin, weight loss is possible, though less frequent. How do you avoid gaining weight while taking gabapentin? Patients who have been prescribed gabapentin are often concerned about weight gain as a side effect. However, they should note, weight gain is a very rare side effect, observed in less than 5% of patients. I am not sure if I have lost weight due to being on gabapentin, but I do feel nauseous which reduces my appetite. I think I am hungry but then I look at food and I just the thought of eating it makes me want to throw up. Some side effects of gabapentin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Gabapentin can cause weight loss by increasing the feeling of fullness in the stomach and by decreasing appetite. Gabapentin also has been found to increase the metabolism in some people which may lead to weight loss over time. Side effects of gabapentin include fatigue, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, and dry mouth among others. Weight gain was more likely, particularly in pediatric patients. A total of 1.8 to 2.9 percent of adolescents and adults in some clinical trials with Neurontin experienced weight gain. In one study with children aged 3 to 12 years, 3.4 percent gained weight while taking Neurontin, compared with 0.8 percent taking a placebo.
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