gabapentin and weight gain

Treatment and medication
1

Hi, ive been taking Gabapentin 3600mg a day for about 8 months and have gradually put on nearly a stone, i just wondered if anybody else taking this medication has had this problem or is it probably me just being greedy lol

 

2

As statedn my previous posts our daughter put one astone per month 

3

Hi there,

if you read on their SMPC (leaflet) its stated one of the side effect is putting weight on (LOL)

4

I have been on Gaberpentin for about 18 months and have noticed a steady increase in weight . it seems that a lot of drugs have this affect . I eat mostly healthy and finding it a battle.

5

Yes this drug and amitriptyline have made me put on 2 stone in under a year some people lose weight others gain

Iam on a large doses 9 X 3 a day 300 mg

6

yes  one of the side effects is that you put on weight....It didnt effect me that way but it can happen....Its not really the medicine ........by taking it it makes you hungry so you want to eat.....Its hard...thank God I am being weaned off....down to 100 mg once a day......................

7

Weight gain is common. For me it was 4kg of fluid along with 11kg of weight (33 pound in total) from increased appetite (craved carbs and sugar esp.) all within 3 months. Upon cessation the fluid was eliminated in 2 days. The rest has to be lost the hard way.

8

There is also dozens more side effects, as they dont effect everybody i was just asking as a general query to see if many people have smile

9

Easy don't eat

10

This was not due to eating. Gabapentin caused fluid retention and weight gain of one stone per month. The dietician stated it was not due to diet

11

Sorry bad Taste please ignore the post

12

haha if only that easy

13

Hi there,

Weight gain can be a problem for many people taking this medication.....In actually felt sick at the sight of food and lost over a stone in weight, however you should keep an eye on it, as for some people it is a real problem....also, see many other issues re side effects on it in other discussions on here/.

14

I practically had the appetite centre of my brain ''turned off'' for 6-12 months taking this medication....if it hadn't been for my husband, I expect I would have become anorexic....this drug has some ''unusual'' side effects ...it works in the brain after all

15

That's ok

16

really getting down with all this 

17

At least forewarned is forearmed, I went into taking this blind, now its up to you and your dr to decide if you want to be on this medication, if is suits you. There is another brand of this type of drug, pregabalin, works v similarly. Some people think it has cleaner side effect profile, ? I don't know as I didn't notice a change myself but perhaps thats the residual damage already done from the gabapentin. I don't have nerve damage, more ''irritated neve roots'' although there is some element of when my back muscles go into spasm they seem to trap the nerves down my legs, in my hips more too. You may decide the benefits outweigh the risks, there are risks with everything, you just need to make that decision now  - good luck !

18

I am in the USAso not sure what a stone is. :-) I have been on Gabapentin for almost 2 years?  Wow, you take a large dose.  I am trying to decrees and am in 1200 mg a day now.  Hate the stuff, akways feel tired but I also take low dose Xanax.  I was actually prescribed thus med for GI issues and stomach pain. I guess it helps.  I also deal with nausea, no vomiting.  I will feel hungry and eat a meal.  Within half an hour, I feel like I need to eat even though I have had a full meal.  I do not have water retention but have gained probably 15 lbs I don't need.  

19

If you ready original post you will see our daughter gained one stone per month for 9 months

20

I have taken gabapentin for a number years...it has been increased over the years.  I definitely have had weight gain...Not an issue because I was underweight before, but it definitely does cause weight gain.  I also take amitriptyline at night with the gabapentin.  These drugs is used for the nerve pain I have, after several neck and spinal cord surgeries.  I Know both of these drugs cause weight gain.  Also, since gabapentin is no longer effective, even after very high levels...they will be taking me off of it immedaitely and switch it to another drug.  I know this already as it was discussed.  I have gained 30 lbs over 5 years.  But I was underweight by 27 lbs .  However, I liked my previous weight and I will be glad to stop both of these drugs.