My doctor has just put me on Lyrica. In fact, I haven't taken my first dose yet. My question is about the weight gain. Can you work to keep the weight off, or is there no help for it? I know with some drugs it doesn't matter how hard you try, the weight just seems to build up. I certainly don't need that! But, I do need something to help this FM pain. Thanks for any help you can give me
Lyrica - is there any way to avoid the weight gain?
Question posted by Mimi-3 on 8 Aug 2012
Last updated on 31 August 2022 by prairiegirl
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
18 Answers
prairiegirl
1 Sep 2022
Over lifetime have always maintained steady wt; home cook, very healthy eating, mostly organic & read most books on that. Have had decades long spine-nerve damage. When lyrica 1st came out, my doctor gave me samples for trial -- my insurance didn't cover, it was for nerve pain due to diabetes. Within 1st month began gaining wt, by 6 mos added some [&more as yrs past] hypertension/high blood pressure [interestingly had always had persistent low blood pressure!]. So, over 18 yrs, have had steady gain now 50# up, regardless of swimming, continued jogging 5 mi/day then walking, gym, small farm living, bio-feedback, music, acupuncture... never able to drop even 2#. Needless to say wt gain steadily adds other health difficulties. Yet when tapered off, there have been no other aids [many tried] to reducing spine angst. Hope this story helps someone.
Sakio
26 Aug 2022
I have been using Lyrica for almost a year for seizures. It has not affected my weight in any way. I have not gained nor have I lost weight. Nor has it affected my appetite.
GeriT
9 March 2020
I've read a lot of reviews where people say that Pregabalin makes you put on weight. It's not the drug that makes you put on weight it's what you put into your mouth that puts the pounds on. I've noticed an increase in appetite and attribute that to feeling so well on the drug. I eat a lot of fruit as snacks and have kept the weight off. It's like everything in moderation.
Debinoz
27 Feb 2020
Before I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia one of my doctors added Lyrica to my medication to help with my leg and neck muscle pain, I could barely walk the pain was so intense. Immediately the waves of pain subsided and my pain that was ongoing for 18months or more in my upper arms and hands finally lessened. I wouldn't have cared if it meant more weight gain, I was just happy to have some relief from the pain. Once I was formally diagnosed with Fibro and then having realised I have been dealing with its symptoms for 15 Plus years my antidepressants were increased by a physician. By the time I was then referred to a specialist physician he prescribed e two different types of tramadol as the pain relieving effects of Lyrica can for some people subside. One of the healing aspects he wished me to pursue is exercise and as painful as that sounds to those of us with Fibro pain it is worthwhile to explore.
Hydrotherapy is a wonderful way to move muscles without hurting although on several occasions I have had adverse reactions to this form of exercise due to the heat and spending longer than 20 mins in water. Flare up pain in my bottom and legs was excruciating. A short session of riding my adult trike on flat ground is great but I can only do that one day here and there as the 2nd day in a row I am incapable. Incidental exercise is not enough apparently although I go up and down stairs at least 20 times a day and to go anywhere because I dont drive requires at least 2km of brisk walking to catch transport. The walking is ok as long as it is not hot, humid or extremely cold in rain so my day usual goes that a need to get lifts to get home. I applaud whatever exercise you can manage and to be sensible about food. Moderate or eliminate soda and bread in your diet and start introducing herbal remedies, like Turmeric, coconut milk and MCT Oil shakes/ Tea and get quality sleep and these are the the methods that can heal our shot nerves!
Abc16f
27 Feb 2020
Ok, looking through these responses on Lyrica and weight gain is scary, so I thought I'd share some findings based on actual peer reviewed research.
The link to the article is below. It indicates that 81% of patients taking Lyrica stay within 7% of their original weight throughout the course of a year.
The mean weight difference for patients in this group (the 81%) is +2 lbs long term.
Yes there are some that do put on a significant amount, but those are the ones more likely to frantically post about it online. To others (like me) just starting off on it- just monitor yourself and don't be scared off by the online community.
Bamachoppers
25 April 2019
I gained around 15lbs on Lyrica in no time. I am always hungry! Even a plain carrot tastes so good! Every food tastes good to me! My husband takes more than i do 900mg a day! It doesn't seem to affect him in this way at all. He's had 11 surgeries in 3 years. I've been drinking tons of lemon water and just eating 5 small meals a day. I walk at least 2-4 miles a day and work out with weight and i still have a waistline of 29! I'm 5'3 and now weigh 145. When i go over that weight, i wean down on lyrica very slowly by opening the capsule and dumping half and putting it in water. Then taking my full later dose for 2 weeks then wean a little more until I'm only taking 100mg a day but i have pain again! Supposed to take 100mg in am and 100pm. I just take the pm now. I'm going to ask my doc for fluid pills as i see there is no side affects with lyrica. Has anyone tried fluid pills? My weight is in my mid section.
It's not terrible right now but i have gotten to 160lbs. many years ago on Lyrica. When i wean off Lyrica i drop the weight in a month or so.
cindy-59
26 April 2019
Hi Bamachoppers. I have never tried fluid pills when I was taking Lyrica so I don’t know anything about them. One thing I would like to mention though is that most people find it better when they take Lyrica twice a day. You could work it gradually until you’re taking same amounts in am and pm. I’m not sure if it has to do with the half life of this medication but I think I read it somewhere. Maybe you could mention it to your doctor. I am completely off Lyrica and now I’m tapering slowly off Cymbalta. My doctor had no clue about these medications, their side effects or the fact that I should not have been taking them together. I would never have known about the possible dangers of taking them together if my neurologist had not told me. I have finally started to lose the 80 pounds I gained and I no longer look or feel like I’m pregnant. The overall body puffiness has almost gone completely. It is awesome to feel ‘normal’ again. And almost every side effect I had is gone. Take care. Cindy59
Bamachoppers
26 April 2019
The problem is doctors have no idea how hard it is to get off of Lyrica. You have to taper down so slow! I tapered down and it took about 6 months. One doctor tapered me off Lyrica in 2 weeks after taking for 5 years! A pain doctor too! He put me on topamax. I hate that drug. I thought i had the flu and was in bed for a week! My husband said lets just try to take a lyrica. I did and in about 2 hours i was myself again! I shouldn't have gotten back on them again! It's the only thing that works on my mood and my pain. I just find it astounding that the doctors and pharmacists have no clue. Scary as hell.
I will try to split the 100mg and take 50mg am and pm. Thank you.
cindy-59
26 April 2019
Oh I know! Most doctors think they know all there is to know about Lyrica and (Cymbalta) but all they know is what they are told by the people who come into their office to tell them about it and maybe what’s in the brochure. But what they are being told is not correct. The side effects of Lyrica can be enough to put a person in the hospital or at least enough to add a couple more medications to take care of the side effects. It has taken me 2 years to taper off Lyrica and almost 2 years to get from 60 mg of Cymbalta to 1.2 mg. That’s almost 4 years of tapering and having to deal with the hassle plus having to deal with the withdrawals. I have tapered off by 10% of my last dosage taken every 2 weeks. Many people have to go slower; by 5% or 2.5%. But we always hold at least 2 weeks or longer if we’re not stabilized yet. We have to let our bodies and brain get used to the lower dosage or it can catch up with us.
I know some people can go faster but I don’t know exactly why. I believe it depends on many different things; such as the dosage we’re taking and how long we have been taking it. I’ve heard that you can get liquid Lyrica or you can find a compounding pharmacy that will do it for you. I wish I would have known that when I was tapering. I found a lot of good information in a group on Facebook called Lyrica Survivors. They have files on how to get healthy and what these types of medications deplete our bodies of; such as vitamins and supplements. I have learned so much from the group. I try to find out everything I can and share it. I really hope you can get off Lyrica this time. There are lists of Natural Remedies on Google for many of our ailments so we can get away from many of these horrible medications. That’s the route I’m taking. I know that some medications have to be taken.
Charlito Hernandez
5 March 2019
Hey! I made an account just to answer this! Even if I'm abit late! :/
So I've been on lyrica 5 months now I'm a 29 year old male and I shot up in weight almost immediately I went from 9stone 4, and now I'm 12stone 8,
I've been doing this keto diet carefully watching what I'm eating and I've dropped 4 pounds in the last 2 weeks maybe that's something you could consider also??
Hope I helped
Wilma Hicks
28 Feb 2019
Can lyrica
cause u to gain an excessive amount of weight
Flowers55
30 Jan 2019
I need a respond to the question? Does Lyrica make you gain weight
cindy-59
31 Jan 2019
Hi Flower55. Yes Lyrica can make you gain weight. I have also heard that it can cause some people to lose weight. I was taking Lyrica for 7-8 years and I didn’t connect the 80+ weight gain to this medication until I started doing research and found out that many people had the same problem. I have tried Cymbalta and it can cause weight gain or weight loss too. It caused me to gain weight too. I am completely off Lyrica and I’m slowly tapering off Cymbalta now and I’m almost off it now too. I’ve finally started to lose the weight. I no longer look or feel like I’m pregnant. I had so many horrible side effects from these medications. From exhaustion, dizziness, weakness and confusion to anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. These medications affected my hearing, eyesight, teeth and hair. Then when I decided I wanted to stop taking Lyrica and Cymbalta I found out that I couldn’t just stop taking them.
I’ve had to taper off slowly so I wouldn’t experience all the symptoms from ‘The Discontinuation Syndrome’. The ‘withdrawals’ are terrible especially if you go off too fast. Take care and I wish you the best. Cindy59
cindy-59
26 Oct 2018
Hi Mimi3. If someone tells you that if you do not eat more when taking Lyrica then you will not gain weight they are wrong. Everyone is different! If that’s what happened to them it doesn’t mean that that’s what will happen to you. For me I started gaining weight shortly after I started taking Lyrica and I was hardly eating anything. And the little bit that I actually could eat I threw up. I was always small; even after having 5 children but Lyrica changed that. But that doesn’t mean that that’s what’s going to happen to you. These types of medications screw up our metabolism. It has been proven now. We all have different metabolism so Lyrica will affect us different. I do believe there are more cases of weight gaining than what is listed in the side effects because many people have not reported it yet. I’m not just guessing this.
I have talked to many people who said that they have experienced weight gain from taking Lyrica but didn’t connect the two until doing research. Personally I will never take another medication like Lyrica again. There are many natural remedies that can help with almost anything. I’m not saying medicine is never necessary but I will be very careful in the future what goes into my body. Especially if it affects my brain. Take care and I wish you the best. Cindy
Bamachoppers
4 Aug 2019
I gain weight after taking Lyrica for 2 weeks. I have a love hate relationship with this drug. It makes me feel so much better, but i get the munchies so bad! My husband also takes a much larger dose and stays skinny! When i get off Lyrica i have to wean down very slowly. I stay off for a while and then get back on it, because it also makes me feel happier. So either happy and fat or in pain and but thin! 20lbs. on a 5'3 person is a lot. Even in my 40's i was thin. When i stop taking Lyrica i can feel the weight coming off in 2 weeks! My husband can take 900mg a day and eat like a hog, but stays thin. He has been on it for 3 years! I wonder if its a woman thing? The weight gain is mostly in my stomach. I can tell you this, the withdrawals are the most awful thing I've ever experienced. If you wean down, do it slowly. I have to open the capsule and split in half. I am on 200 mg a day. I started today to wean down to 150 a day, for 2 weeks, then 100mg for 2 weeks... and so on until i get to 50mg.
Rnazarkewich01
25 Oct 2018
I take gabapentin which is very similar to Lyrica. I didn't get any weight gain. with pain relief perhaps try walking..a few blocks at first work slowly up to a mile a day. Go at your own pace..it doesn't have to be a fast walk.. mobility is the goal. Yoga is great for fibromyalgia too..slow stretch.. beginner level. I have chronic pain and the yoga keeps me moving. Good luck. I'LL be pulling for you!♥️
Skg72012
26 Oct 2018
I take gabapentin too. If you haven't tried it, I would definitely ask your Dr about it. I was not able to tolerate Lyrica
Ros 2
25 Oct 2018
Hi Mimi-3, I have been on Lyrica 100mg a day since 2008! It is considered a small dose compared to others on a higher dose. Yes, you can gain weight! Just watch it with the food intake, especially carbohydrates. How many milligrams did your doctor prescribe you? I hope that the medication will help you with the Fibro!
Take care & feel better!
Bunnyho
25 Oct 2018
If you do not eat more you will stay the same.
Lyrica makes you feel hungry.if your very careful you will not gain.
Wendy K
15 Oct 2018
OHGSH!! I’m SO glad I just happened upon this article! I have been on Lyrica for years, about 10-15. So, I’m not sure I can TOTALLY blame the Lyrica, since my weight has only gotten significantly out of control the last couple years or so. I’m 54 & I’m sure my metabolism is probably slowing d/t age. But I have felt for a while now that there’s something making it harder for me to lose weight & REALLY hard to keep it off!! I worked hard for over a year to lose 32# & put it back on in NO time, most days I wasn’t eating much more than I normally do. And I look pregnant!! Almost all of it is in my belly! A couple times someone in public asked me when I was due!!! How embarrassing!! Well, anyways, glad it’s not just me... going to see a good neurologist, (my PCP told me I wasn’t on anything that would cause wt gain)... maybe I’ll find some answers. I hope you all do too, Wendy.
samrae
26 June 2017
I have recently been advised to not each or drink dairy. No fizzy drinks. The only drink to have is water. You can add your favorite flavor squash. To try this for 2 weeks and you should notice some weight loss. I am going to start tomorrow. (Monday 26th June 2017). I am happy to try most ideas people come out with. After taking Lyrica for 4 years now, along with other drugs, I have been putting on weight continuously. My weight has doubled sadly. Good luck with whatever you decided.
OBESITY2016
14 July 2018
I have suffered with fairly severe spinal for many years now. About seven years ago, I was referred to a local pain clinic where the doctor there prescribed pregabalin (Lyrica) which I have been taking ever since together with strong cocodamol. Since then, I have piled on weight all around my midriff, particularly abdomen. I feel like I have a thick duvet wrapped round my midriff which really makes me feel ugly and embarassed in public. Only just read on this site how many other people have been so badly affected by eight gain on pregabalin. Going to see my GP next week to ask him to change me to Tramadol.
Related topics
lyrica, weight loss (obesity/overweight), fibromyalgia, weight, doctor
Further information
- Lyrica uses and safety info
- Lyrica prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lyrica (detailed)
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