Lyrica and Weight Gain? Yes or No?

21 Oct 2010

wow lots of responses, so ill try to keep it short. lyrica did cause weight gain for me, but my pain and mood while on it is fantastic. and energy was pretty good too. the weight gain seemed too much, so i am presently trying other anticonvulsants, but not sure if they are as good. topamax on the other hand, helped pain, and helped mood a little bit, but made me an insomniac, and couldn't sleep or had trouble sleeping for about 5-6 days while on it. it's definitely a good drug though for some people. i didnt lose weight while on it.

24 Oct 2010

Hi,
I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome among a host of other nasty illnesses. I have had them for over 27 years. I like you, was on Lyrica and I had to stop it because of the weight gain and water gain. Lyrica is known for it's weight gain although I know fellow FMS sufferers who swear by it. I personally take Cymbalta and it works great. I also have a spinal cord stimulator and it works wonderfully. If you would like to talk about the stimulator
My name is Karen.

11 Nov 2010

yes i gained 100lbs on lyrica the year but my dose is 150mg 3x per day and the weight is coming off very rapidly within a 6 month period i lost the 100 lbs. I also had a gastric bypass 21 trs ago so i dont know if the high dose had anything to do with that and the gastic bypass, I will tell you this i wont give up this drug for anything else because it works for anxiety more than anything. I hope this imfo helps you. If you want to know anything more just ask or add me as a friend,

10 Jan 2011

Hi their, I just wanted to respond and let you know that I gained 50lbs. I have been taking Lyrica for almost 9 months. So, of course the weight gain has now led me into a depression!! Ughh.. So frustrating!! It has helped with the pains I must say") I'm about to switch to a different medicine a friend told me about, which she says works way better than Lyrica and you don't gain weight. It's Neurotin generic name is gabapentin!!! She swears by it") hope this helps ya out!! GOod Luck with everything!! God Bless")

12 Feb 2011

I was on lyrica for 2 years and although it helped the pain I gained a lot of weight. I decided, because of cost and the fact I developed diabetes (another side effect) I would quit taking it. As soon as I quit I started losing weight. I lost 27 lbs and was back at my normal weight and stabilized there. My legs swelled as did my hands..I even noticed the difference with my shoes. So as far as I am concerned lyrica bears watching. Make sure you get your blood sugar levels checked from time to time...

12 Feb 2011

18 May 2011

Some of the most common side effects of LYRICA are dizziness, blurry vision, weight gain, sleepiness, trouble concentrating, swelling of your hands and feet, dry mouth, and feeling "high". If you have diabetes, tell your doctor about any skin sores.

20 May 2011

i was once prescribed lyrica from my dr for pain, but after looking it up and seen weight gain as side affect i didnt even try, im assuming it does have a lot to do with weight gain

25 May 2011

The methadone has caused me to gain over 100 pds. so if you didn't gain much weight on that medication then whatever the LYRICA will do will be very minor? I used to be on both, but the methadone slowed my metabolism down so much I had problems with urinary & bowels ever since then. I wished I would have never got on the medication. BUT, they don't give poor folks many choices. It's either get on it or suffer. I didn't want to use illicit drugs to kill my pain anymore. SO,let me know how it goes. I wanted to know I am off all drugs except for the methadone for pain now. I am looking into other options so I can get off that drug. It's been too long (over 5yrs). I hope that you will do well as can be exspected, sounds like you deserve some relief now.

3 Jun 2011

I also take lyrica, have taken it for about 2 years. i also have noticed weight gain. The pain relief to me is astounding and worth the hazard of gaining additional pounds. Not that I want to gain weight,I am already obese, I weigh 250lbs and I am 5ft2 but you have to accept thepro's with the con's. Good luck to you and god bless

12 Jun 2011

Definitely yes on the weight gain. I have been on Lyrica for a year now and I have gained almost 30lb! I take it for spinal stenosis and it does help. I have stopped cortisone shots. But with all this weight it isn't going to help! Let me know how you do. I am curious to see what others think too.

26 Sep 2011

Dear Snowgoer68, My heart goes out to you. I understand how it is when you can't exercise, are restricted to a wheelchair and need to eat to survive. But 500-600 calories are too few. Your body will hold onto the weight because it thinks it's starving, which it is. You need at least double that amount, possibly triple, just to keep your heart, brain and other organs healthy. In addition, being in the chair atrophies your muscles, decreases your bone density and impairs your balance. You need protein! You need to eat, honey, to keep healthy. I've just lost all the weight I gained on Lyrica and the other fibro drugs and I did it on 1200-1500 calories a day after a nutritionist and a personal trainer talked me into increasing my caloric intake. They explained to me that too few calories can actually put on weight because it alters my metabolism and "set point". Eat, just eat good stuff. Lots of vegies and lean protein. Good luck to you.

12 Nov 2011

I have been on and off lyrica 3 times now. Each time I gain a few pounds, and then when I come off, the weight comes off. I use it during the bad times of the year, which for me is during the summer here in Fl The weather pressure changes effect me a whole lot, and the Lyrica helps. I have RSD and Fibromyalgia.lheck

17 Apr 2012

Add me to the list! I, too, take Lyrica, 50 mg, 3xday. Have developed pain in my neck, shoulders, both wrists, and tingling down my right arm for the past couple months. I agree - the side effects are terrible! Major weight gain, some swelling in my hands and feet, and blurry vision at times. After talking to the pharmacist earlier this morning about the potential side effects, I just notified my doctor that I intend to stop taking the Lyrica. I have been diagnosed with firbromyalgia and have degenerative arthritis. Also, am upset because I went thru lap-band surgery a little over a year ago, lost a considerable amount of weight, stepped on the scale this a.m., and discovered every pound is back, plus a couple extra - even tho I have decreased my food intake and water is my drink of choice!! Very discouraged. Guess it's a two-edged sword ... live with the pain or try to find that elusive miracle drug.

http://www.drugs.com/answers/lyrica-and-weight-gain-yes-or-no-174118.html

18 Apr 2012

hi, I was on lyrica for awhile but they took me off it because it was causing alot of swelling in my face, I'm taking other drugs that causes weight at the same time some causes weight loss, so it dosen't matter my face will look like a basketball and I have edima in my legs pretty bad so i pretty much look like a whale most of the time, very frustrated. But I do know that Lyrica dose cause wieght gain.
I am so sorry about all your difficultys here I am with major rsd and lost function of my right arm and hand and tying to learn to use my left hand no luck and my right leg just drags now and i fall all the time, and hearing your story makes me feel bad. I have learned how much we take things for granted until we loose function of everyday tasks. I lay in bed and when the pain becomes so unmanigable that i just keep praying asking God to take me. You are an insperation to me, and I will keep you in my prayers.

God Bless you,
Judi