Will I lose the weight? I have been starving myself for months and developed a bit of a eating disorder because I couldn't figure out why I was gaining weight. PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORY IF YOU LOST WEIGHT YOU GAINED FROM TAKING GABAPENTIN. The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. If you’re looking to lose weight during or after taking gabapentin, try to exercise for at least 30 to 40 minutes every day or at least four times a week. Be sure to pick an enjoyable activity, so you’re more likely to maintain the habit. 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. Here are seven ways to help you take off — or prevent — unwanted pounds from medications. 1. Stay within recommended sodium intake levels. Eating excess sodium can contribute to 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, an anticonvulsant sold under the brand name Neurontin, is used to treat seizures and neuropathic pain. It is typically the first course of action, and most often prescribed to patients with diabetic neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia. In studies that looked into gabapentin’s impact on weight, a small number of people (3%) gained around five pounds of body weight during a six-week trial. Doctors aren’t precisely sure why the drug might have this effect, but it appears to be at least in part because of the tendency for appetite level to increase while on the medication. Gabapentin withdrawal may cause weight changes, but to lose weight or avoid weight gain, consult about a different medication. Understanding How Gabapentin May Influence Weight While the precise mechanisms underlying Gabapentin-induced weight gain remain incompletely understood, several hypotheses have been proposed: We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 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. 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. While weight gain is a side effect of gabapentin, stopping is not going to cause the weight to drop off. You will have to diet as in reduce your daily calorie intake to lose the weight. You need to be realistic in your weight loss goals. Eight pounds a month is what I shoot for with 6 pounds being a good average. Weight gain can occur for several reasons when taking gabapentin. It can stimulate appetite, slow metabolism, or cause fluid retention. Recognizing these factors helps in devising a plan to combat unwanted pounds. It’s essential to take a proactive approach to manage weight while on this medication. 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. Eating frequently or eating a high-calorie diet can contribute to weight gain. Swelling: In clinical trials, gabapentin causes peripheral edema (swelling in the limbs), which can lead to increased body weight. Peripheral edema is a more common side effect than weight gain, occurring in up to 8% of people who take gabapentin. 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 Gabapentin can potentially cause weight gain, usually due to peripheral edema, a common side effect. This refers to swelling in the ankles and feet due to fluid retention. 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 “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: I've taken Gabapentin on and off for the past few years. I always seem to gain around 10-15lbs on it. Most of which I do lose after stopping the med. I've never experienced withdrawal from Gabapentin though. Now for sleep/anxiety I take Valerian root, melatonin and the occasional otc sleep aid.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |