Unfortunately most, if not all, psychotropic medications have the potential to cause weight gain due to metabolic changes that affecting appetite, fat storage mechanisms, etc. Gabapentin can cause these side effects in about 1-10% of users. Diet and exercise can help with excessive weight gain but some may be unavoidable. The evidence indicates that gabapentin can lead to weight gain in a significant proportion of patients, particularly with long-term use and higher dosages. While the extent of weight gain varies, it is a notable side effect that healthcare providers should monitor. Medication Induced Weight Gain in the Child with Overweight or Obesity Shown are the top takeaways from the medication induced weight gain in the child with overweight or obesity. 1. Many medications have the potential to cause weight gain in pediatric patients; monitoring and assessment of these effects is important for patient health. Weight gain Gabapentin has been associated with weight-gain. A systematic review associated gabapentin with a weight increase of 2.2kg over 1.5months of use.9 Ask about weight-gain particularly if weight gain is of concern such as as those taking gabapentin for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Gabapentin has also been associated with peripheral 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 Weight gain occurred in patients taking GPN in combination with each of the major antiepileptic drugs including Felbatol and also occurred with GPN monotherapy. The authors reviewed changes in body weight in 44 patients treated with Gabapentin (GPN) for a period of 12 or more months. Pregabalin and gabapentin both resulted in moderate to large increases in cognitive effects (4.8%), dizziness (25.6%), and weight gain (10.1%); pregabalin also resulted in large increases in the Weight gain. Weight gain is common with gabapentinoids and can affect up to a quarter of all patients treated with pregabalin, resulting in non-compliance and termination of treatment. 45,46 However, the extent of weight gain appears to be moderate. Some studies suggest gabapentin may cause weight gain in some patients, especially at higher doses, while other studies indicate the weight gain is minimal and dose-dependent. In a European multinational comparison study of risperidone, weight gain was observed among 26 to 38 percent of treated patients in a dose-dependent correlation . Long-term treatment with risperidone has been shown to increase patients' tendency to gain weight ( 22 , 31 ). While weight gain is a rare side effect of gabapentin, it still happens. In fact, weight gain from gabapentin only occurs in around 2% of patients. 1 However, weight gain is not to be confused with peripheral edema, which is a swelling in the legs caused by a build-up of fluids. This occurs in around 8% of patients taking gabapentin. 1 While weight gain after starting gabapentin isn’t guaranteed, studies suggest significant weight gain is certainly possible. Why does Gabapentin cause weight gain? The reason why gabapentin causes weight gain isn’t entirely clear, but other side effects of the medication may be part of the problem. 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. In another RCT, pregabalin was associated with a dose-dependent weight gain . et al. Changes in body weight with chronic, high-dose gabapentin therapy. Ther Drug Some studies suggest gabapentin may cause weight gain, particularly at high doses, while other studies indicate it is associated with minimal weight gain and is dose-dependent. 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. Weight gain due to gabapentin is different and depends on the dose and duration of its use. According to one research study, gabapentin was associated with a weight gain of about 5.5 pounds after 1.5 months of use. Gabapentin is used as analgesic and antiepileptic among neurologists, although psychologists prescribe it for treatment of insomnia and depression.[1,2,7] It has an inhibitory effect on α2d subunit of Ca 2+ channels in central nervous system and in this way plays its role as an analgesic.[2,5] As usual side-effects we can mention dizziness 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. Is weight gain with gabapentin dose-dependent? The relationship between gabapentin dosage and weight gain is not entirely clear. Some studies suggest that higher doses of gabapentin may be associated with a greater risk of weight gain, while others have not found a significant dose-dependent effect.
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