Will gabapentin make you gain weight?

Although they're not common side effects, gabapentin has been reported to potentially cause weight gain and fluid buildup in the legs (edema). If you're taking gabapentin or another medication that you think may have led to gaining a few extra pounds, talk to your healthcare provider.

How can I avoid weight gain on gabapentin?

Does gabapentin cause weight gain or weight loss?

Official Answer. Gabapentin may cause weight gain, but it is a rare 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.

Why would gabapentin cause weight gain?

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. Patients taking medications like Neurontin and Gralise may gain a few pounds after about six weeks into treatment.

Is it hard to lose weight on gabapentin?

The surgery group given prophylactic gabapentin had 68.5% less weight loss than the untreated group (2.40 kg vs 7.63 kg, P = . 02), and the p16-positive group receiving prophylactic gabapentin showed 60% less weight loss than their untreated counterparts (3.61 kg vs 9.02 kg; P = . 004).

Does Gabapentin Cause Weight Gain ? Gabapentin Weight Gain, Why and How ?

How can I prevent weight gain from medication?

How long can you take gabapentin for nerve pain?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “the efficacy and safety of gabapentin have not been examined in clinical studies for treatment periods longer than five months.” However, gabapentin can be taken longer than five months, should a treating physician deem it necessary, provided the patient does not ...

What should I avoid while taking gabapentin?

Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries. Avoid taking an antacid within 2 hours before you take gabapentin. Antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb gabapentin. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking gabapentin.

What are the long term effects of taking gabapentin?

According to researchers, long-term use of gabapentin — a nonopioid pain medication — among older adults may cause altered mental status, dizziness, drowsiness and renal dysfunction, and it could also lead to polypharmacy, which in itself can lead to adverse events and hospital stays.

Does gabapentin make you swell?

Patients taking Neurontin may experience swelling in the feet and ankles. The presence of lower leg swelling may cause discomfort and impair walking.

Does gabapentin make you retain water?

Another symptom is water retention, which causes swelling of the hands, arms, legs, and feet. This may lead to weight gain. Children who take Gabapentin may have different side effects, including anxiety and behavioral problems.

Does gabapentin affect metabolism?

However, in contrast to valproate, metabolic side effects accompanying use of carbamazepine, pregabalin and gabapentin are thought to be secondary to the induced weight gain rather than weight-independent mechanisms (80).

What is the most common side effect of gabapentin?

Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise) is a medication used to help manage certain epileptic seizures and relieve pain for some conditions, such as shingles (postherpetic neuralgia). Dizziness and drowsiness are common gabapentin side effects. Weight gain and uncoordinated movement are possible side effects.

What does gabapentin do for nerve pain?

Gabapentin works by changing the way that nerves send messages to your brain. If the messages are reduced, then the pain will be reduced.

What will happen if I stop taking gabapentin?

Withdrawal symptoms can begin within 12 hours to 7 days after quitting the medication and last up to 10 days. Symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal may include nausea, dizziness, headaches, insomnia, and anxiety. The safest way to stop using gabapentin is to taper off the medication under the supervision of a doctor.

Can you stay on gabapentin for life?

It might last for a full week, if not longer, and the person's symptoms will likely require the most time and care to endure. Due to this, people should not attempt to discontinue gabapentin without proper medical supervision.

Does gabapentin make you poop?

Official Answer. Gabapentin may cause constipation, but it is not a common side effect. In clinical trials of adults taking gabapentin for nerve pain, only about 4% of people reported constipation.

What organs does gabapentin affect?

Gabapentin works in the brain to prevent seizures and relieve pain for certain conditions in the nervous system. It is not used for routine pain caused by minor injuries or arthritis. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant.

Is gabapentin good for back pain?

Gabapentin is an antiepileptic drug originally intended for seizures. It's most effective for treating neuropathic back pain caused by disk herniation and consequent sciatica, as well as spinal stenosis, diabetic neuropathy, and postherpetic neuralgia.

Can you drink coffee while on gabapentin?

Coffee doesn't directly interact with gabapentin (Neurontin), so if you're taking the medication for nerve pain it's ok to drink coffee (the medication itself should be taken with water).

What kind of pain does gabapentin treat?

Gabapentin is used to treat some types of persistent pain. It is especially good for nerve pain, such as burning, shooting or stabbing pain. Gabapentin belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants which are also used to treat epilepsy.

Is gabapentin good for arthritis?

Gabapentin works in the brain to prevent seizures and relieve pain for certain conditions in the nervous system. It is not used for routine pain caused by minor injuries or arthritis.

How much gabapentin should I take for severe nerve pain?

Doses up to 3600 mg/d may be needed in some patients. The effective dose should be individualized according to patient response and tolerability. Conclusion: At doses of 1800 to 3600 mg/d, gabapentin was effective and well tolerated in the treatment of adults with neuropathic pain.

Is gabapentin 300 mg strong?

Gabapentin in low doses is a useful drug in treatment of CTS symptoms with no side effects and intolerance. Gabapentin with dose of 300 mg/day is more effective than the dose of 100 mg/day.

Does gabapentin cause bloating and weight gain?

Although they're not common side effects, gabapentin has been reported to potentially cause weight gain and fluid buildup in the legs (edema). If you're taking gabapentin or another medication that you think may have led to gaining a few extra pounds, talk to your healthcare provider.