You can discuss the study with your doctor, to ensure that all drug risks and benefits are fully discussed and understood. Related studies Foot, leg, and ankle swelling in Gabapentin; How the study uses the data? The study is based on gabapentin (the active ingredients of Gabapentin). Other drugs that have the same active ingredients (e.g I have swelling in my legs caused by lymphedema and have to wear compression socks but mine was not caused by a medication. I also would be concerned if it's been over 5 months since stopping gabapentin and the swelling and pain is still in the hands and feet. Finally, your medications may also be to blame—even an over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen can lead to sodium retention, which in turn can cause your legs to swell. Similarly, the incidence of peripheral edema caused by CCB is dose related and common in the elderly, comparable to reports of gabapentin induced edema. This case illustrates that gabapentin induced leg swelling can confound the clinical picture and it is thus important to recognize this side effect of gabapentin. What Causes Swelling from Gabapentin? Swelling from gabapentin can be attributed to several mechanisms: Fluid Retention. One common reason for swelling is fluid retention. Gabapentin can cause changes in kidney function or fluid balance in the body. When the body retains excess fluid, it can lead to noticeable swelling in areas like the legs Gabapebtin can cause fluid retention which can lead to serious complications such as hyponatremia. Being that Gabapentin is an anti-convulsant, stopping it cold turkey may result in seizures- Even if you are taking it for other reasons. The best thing to do is to discuss an alternative medication with your doctor and have them ween you off. Along with causing dizziness, gabapentin can worsen your coordination. This can increase your risk of falls, which is especially dangerous for older adults. If you’re just starting to take gabapentin or your dose has increased, avoid driving or doing any activity that requires alertness. The edema is caused by fluid that builds up in your body tissues. This edema is most common in your feet and ankles because gravity pulls the fluid down to your lower legs. Because of gravity, you may see more swelling after sitting or standing, but the swelling will go down if you put your legs up. There are many causes of peripheral edema 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. Elevate your legs: If you experience swelling in the legs or feet, elevating them while sitting or lying down can help alleviate edema. Prop them up on a cushion or pillow to encourage fluid drainage. Does gabapentin cause swelling in legs and ankles? Yes, gabapentin may cause fluid retention and induce edema in arms and legs. Experts believe that this side effect can also be the reason for weight gain by increasing your water weight. Swelling in the feet and ankles. Patients taking Neurontin may experience swelling in the feet and ankles. The presence of lower leg swelling may cause discomfort and impair walking. My mother-in-law was unable to wear regular shoes because of swelling of her feet and ankles, so we found her socks and soft slippers that fit her feet comfortably. Although gabapentin is generally well tolerated, 1 potential reported adverse effect is peripheral edema. However, due to the extensive number of etiologies of peripheral edema, medication causes may be overlooked on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Sorry to say, but my swelling lead to weight gain.I was prescribed Gabapentin for nerve pain. I started at 200 mgs once daily at bedtime. I couldn't stay on it for longer than two weeks. This case illustrates that lower doses of gabapentin can also cause this adverse effect. It is important to recognize this adverse effect because gabapentin is used in conditions like diabetic neuropathy, which is associated with multiple co-morbidities that can give rise to bilateral leg swelling. Gabapentin, a medication primarily known for its use in treating seizures and nerve pain, has a complex relationship with the legs. While not specifically designed to target leg issues, gabapentin’s mechanisms of action and side effects can significantly impact this part of the body. Although the mechanism behind peripheral edema from gabapentin is largely unknown, it has been theorized to be similar to the mechanism in which other calcium channel blockers (eg, amlodipine) cause peripheral edema. 6,7 This relationship has been hypothesized to be due to gabapentin's actions on presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels. 1,6 This drug is very hard on your kidneys and other organs. I'm no Dr., but being on it myself I do my research. Drs. Prescribe for many things that gabapentin is not meant for. if I were you, try to not take it and your side effects should go away within the week. I cut my dose to 100 mg 3 times a day and the swelling has gone away. I take 600 mg of gabapentin, 300 mg twice daily. No swelling in my feet. I still get some cramping and stabbing. I hope everything is going well with others. Amlodipine (Norvasc), gabapentin (Neurontin, Horizant, Gralise), and pregabalin (Lyrica) can cause puffy legs and ankles. Birth control pills, certain over-the-counter pain medications, and steroids are a few other culprits.
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