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 This piece looks at how Gabapentin and weight gain are connected. You'll learn about why these changes might happen and what you can do about them. We'll get into the scientific evidence, risk factors, and practical ways to maintain a healthy weight while taking this medication. 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. Similar weight change was noted with exenatide 10, 15, and 20 μg. The weight loss with exenatide weekly dosing was 0.9 kg, and with daily dosing it was 1.3 kg (P value for difference = .7). Weight loss with GLP-1 agonists used < 3 months was 0.3 kg, 3–6 months was 1.3 kg, and > 6 months was 0.9 kg. However, weight gain was a common side effect associated with gabapentin (7.5% of patients) while weight loss was linked to topiramate (22.5% of patients) . 3.2.2. Expert opinion: weight-centric approach 1. How much weight can I expect to gain on gabapentin? Weight gain is highly individual and varies widely. While some studies report about 5 pounds gained in 6 weeks, individual results can differ significantly, and not everyone gains weight. 2. Does gabapentin always cause weight gain? No, gabapentin doesn’t always cause weight gain. Many Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking gabapentin: More common in children. 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. 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. It's not entirely clear how gabapentin works to treat restless legs syndrome. Side effects of gabapentin. Common side effects of gabapentin include: drowsiness or dizziness; headache or blurred vision; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; dry mouth; weight gain; swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles; back or joint pain 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. Just been prescribed gabapentin for pain. have Systemic Lupus, Sjogrens syndrome, Osteoporosis and arthritis and chronic migraines. On a long list of other drugs already. Have been taken off mirtazipine because it caused me to gain weight. Dont want same problem with gabapentin! Only taken one tablet so far. Feel spaced out and a bit drunk. 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. 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. Gabapentin and weight gain: not a fun mix. Unfortunately, weight gain is a common side effect of many medications. From a fluctuation in hormones to water retention to changes in appetite, drugs like gabapentin can cause some unwanted weight gain. Valproate and gabapentin are seizure medications commonly linked to weight gain. Other ASMs, like topiramate or lamotrigine, may lead to weight loss. 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 water retention is another example of how the body can change when a medication is taken. 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. The origins of Gabapentin can be dated back to the 1970s in Japan, where it was created and used as an anti-spasmodic—muscle relaxant. For years, it was used for this specific purpose until experts found that the tablet could successfully treat other conditions, such as epilepsy, nerve pain, shingles, and more, without posing severe risks to patients.
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