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. my symptoms have got better as i suffer side effects from scar tissue on my spinal cord and there has to be something else that works just as good without the weight gain. The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. This article will provide clear guidance on how to mitigate and potentially stop weight gain associated with gabapentin use, offering practical strategies and insights to help you manage this side effect effectively. How to stop or reverse weight gain from Gabapentin. Medication-related weight gain is common, but there are things you can do to stop or reverse weight gain from gabapentin and other weight-promoting medications. 1. Talk to your healthcare provider about other options. If you gain weight after starting gabapentin, talk to your doctor to Key Takeaways: How To Stop Gabapentin Weight Gain Dietary Adjustments: Focus on nutrient-dense foods to aid weight management. Portion Control: Use smaller plates to help prevent overeating effectively. Regular Exercise: Incorporate enjoyable physical activities for better results. Diet and exercise can help with excessive weight gain but some may be unavoidable. Everybody responds differently to different medications and gaining weight on one doesn't necessarily mean you will on another. If your weight gain is clinically significant you might want to talk to your doctor about your options. While weight gain is a more common side effect, it is possible to lose weight on gabapentin. By adopting a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and proper hydration, it’s possible to manage weight effectively while taking this medication. Valproate and gabapentin are seizure medications commonly linked to weight gain. Other ASMs, like topiramate or lamotrigine, may lead to weight loss. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. In these cases, weight gain may not occur or be unnoticeable. How to Avoid Weight Gain on Gabapentin. Whether you want to avoid weight gain while taking Gabapentin or get rid of the extra pounds that you've gained after you've already commenced a Gabapentin treatment plan, there are some practical tips that can help. Let's look at some of them 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 most common gabapentin (Neurontin) side effects are dizziness and drowsiness. This may affect your ability to drive or perform other activities. Other gabapentin side effects include edema (fluid buildup), weight gain, and eye problems, but these aren’t as common. Rare but serious gabapentin side effects include mood changes in children. 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 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. 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. “In conclusion, the present study showed that drug-induced weight gain is a common side effect of several medications frequently used to treat chronic diseases. Healthcare providers should educate their patients about the medicines that may cause weight gain.” Veterans and Weight Gain with Pregabalin and Duloxetine: 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. Higher doses and longer treatment periods increase your risk of weight gain [11]. People who take Gabapentin might gain about 5 pounds after just 6 weeks of use [12]. Weight gain affected 3% of patients over 12 years old with epilepsy, compared to 2% who took a placebo [12]. 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. In cases where weight gain does occur, it is typically a result of an increased appetite or reduced exercise caused by the drug.
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