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. How do you avoid gaining weight while taking gabapentin? What is the right gabapentin dosage for me? Can you drink alcohol while taking gabapentin? Is gabapentin addictive? Is it safe to take gabapentin for sleep? How does gabapentin work? Researchers are not entirely sure how gabapentin works. Gabapentin can cause weight gain, but it’s not a common side effect. It can happen due to several reasons, such as increased appetite, fluid retention, or decreased physical activity due to fatigue. Gabapentin is thought to cause weight gain by increasing patients’ appetites and causing fatigue that reduces their physical activity. It can also cause water retention, with swelling (edema) of the hands, arms, feet, and legs, which may contribute to weight gain. Related: Does Trazodone cause weight gain? One study found that in patients 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. 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 My Dr. said that Lyrica (pregabalin) causes terrible weight gain, but not Gabapentin. I have read that weight gain on Gabapentin can be dose-related. I’ve noticed that I do get hungry more often, so I log everything I eat to make sure I’m not eating too much. I’m still wearing the same size clothing after 2 years, so the weight gain isn I have been on Gabapentin 2400 mg per day and have gained 30 pounds in a short time and just wanted to know if this med causes the weight gain or is it just due to me eating more. Answer. Yes, weight gain is a possible side effect for gabapentin (brand name Neurontin). The incidence of weight gain with gabapentin varies by product: It reported a 3.86% weight gain with pregabalin. The conclusion: “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.” Gabapentin-induced weight gain is a multifaceted issue influenced by factors such as dosage, duration of treatment, and individual patient responses. While peripheral edema and potential changes in appetite and metabolism are likely contributors, the extent of weight gain can vary. 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. Why does gabapentin cause weight gain? If you experience peripheral edema from gabapentin, this means your body is holding onto extra fluid. This water retention can make the number on the scale go up. How Gabapentin Causes Weight Gain: List of Possibilities. Gabapentin has a poorly understood mechanism of action and weight gain is uncommon. Since there is some confusion regarding the precise neurophysiological effects of the drug, it is difficult to pinpoint the specific cause of weight gain. There are several possible explanations for gabapentin weight gain: Fatigue: The most common side effect, which can lead to less activity and more eating. Increased hunger: The medication can make you feel hungrier than usual, which can make it difficult to avoid gaining weight. Fluid retention: Up to 8% of patients experience swelling. 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. A review of research examining antipsychotic medicine explains why: Most of those drugs cause weight gain. Over the course of treatment, around 7 in 10 patients will gain weight — rapidly in the initial period after starting these meds, but it continues over the long term. The risk appears to be highest with: Olanzapine (Zyprexa) Clozapine 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. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. It’s not clear why medications like gabapentin cause weight gain, but it could be due to increased appetite. It’s important to keep in mind that not all anticonvulsants cause weight gain. Some, like lamotrigine (Lamictal), usually have no effect on body weight. And others, like topiramate (Topamax), can actually cause weight loss. 5. Many individuals seek to lose weight, but does gabapentin cause weight gain? Gabapentin cause weight gain which can complicate weight loss efforts. As an anti-seizure medication, it is often used for chronic pain management, though managing gabapentin withdrawal can be part of a comprehensive weight management strategy.
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