Does Neurontin cause weight gain?
- Asked
- 23 Sep 2014 by summers02
- Updated
- 10 October 2018 (6 weeks ago)
- Topics
- neurontin, obesity, weight
Responses (23)
Neurontin can cause weight gain or weight loss, depending on your metabolisim. It can also increase appetite or make you crave certain types of foods like those high in carbohydrates or fat. The weight gain may be from a slow down of your metabolism or cause fluid retention.
Thanks, Pamee. I do have an awful sweet tooth - so will have to watch that! (drat) I drink lots of water (always have) so maybe this will help. Only being 5'1" every pound shows.
I agree (drat) lol take care!
Sorry to hear this. Eating breaded chicken shouldn't cause such weight gain... don't listen to these people. Your doctor should be able to prescribe another medication to help with your depression - there are lots of choices. Please call the suicide help line or someone you trust, don't hurt yourself because you are worthy... no matter what!
Well depends on how much breaded chicken and bow cooked, baked or fried. Bread is a simple carbohydrate which behaves in the same way in the body as sugar.
I have severe pain in my neck. Every vertebrae in my neck is bulging and deterated. I take nerotins and hydrocodone for it. I have noticed a little weight gain. The pills help but I'm sick of having to take pills every day. I'm on 400 milligrams of nerotins 4 times a day. Does it cause weight gain.
Dear Paula Cook,
Thank you for your time and effort to help folks out. I use to take Hyrocodone 10mgs 4 times a day with my 1200 mgs of Gabapentin which helped my Neck and spine very well ,
But I gained alot of weight. Then my doctor took me off the Hyrocodone and I've had severe PAIN. I gained 50 lbs. Due to the Gabapentin.
I thought I was going crazy. I'm eating less and still gained 55 pounds. I thought it was the blocks. But now I see.
What's funny is that even though the studies say 2/3 % reported weight gain. But reading through comments I'm finding more than 50% of people are reporting significant weight gain with long term use.
I'm thinking the studies are not accurate.
I have been using gabapentin for almost 3 years along with morphine and I have put on loads of weight and my legs and feet have swollen up and my local nurse thinks it's lymphadema but I have been doing some research and gabapentin causes fluid in the feet (although it doesn't mention from the knees down).I had been getting weighed regularly and my weight just kept going up and up but I tried on holiday teeshirt that were bought for last year's holiday and they are 2 sizes too small for me.I can't exercise due to my lungs not working right,angina,kneecap keeps dislocating and now lymphadema so that could be part of the reason I'm gaining weight but I honestly don't eat a lot.i can go all day without eating then I can eat a little bit before I go to bed,so I'm not scoffing my face all day.im going back to my doctor and asking him to gradually take me off them as I was really sick in bed one day and forgot to take my medication at night and I woke ...
Sorry to hear all that you have it worse than I do for sure.
Hope you get to feeling better soon, and can start to enjoy life again.
Thanks for saying that. Gives me hope that I can stay on Remeron, which is ultimately what I assumed caused all the weight gain. I will omit gaba and see what happens. I have to take Lasix or I end up in ER with MAJOR swelling. Have had ultrasound of Veinous region and arterial and both were normal so u have to conclude the med mixture is the cause. A year ago I was only on 2 meds--now I have lost count! Tired of the roller coaster.
I found neurontin itself didn't cause my weight gain (70+ lbs). It was the increased appetite hence change in eating habits that did it. Inspite of being more active with pain managed, I was REALLY enjoying food more than normal. If your appetite changes, definitely seek out support, it isn't anything to be embarrassed about.
I'm finding that gabapentin must be causing me to at least retain weight. Since starting on a small dose, that I refuse to titrate up as ordered, I have been working out regularly, eating very healthy -no carbs, no gluten, no sugar, or ANY processed foods. Just a couple of years ago when I did the same, I lost substantial weight. Now, despite same program, very little weight is coming off and very, very slowly. That's why I am now researching this topic and came to your question. I should be seeing more progress, therefore, that is why I am concluding that the neurontin must be causing me to retain weight. So with no change in eating habits, it could cause weight gain, but I suppose it all depends on your own metabolism prior to starting the med. Good luck. I want off!
I just started gabapentin a few weeks ago at night for pain & sleep. It's small dose. Volteran during the day which has help with joint pain. I just read your post & it sounds like me. I changed my diet & started working out again and have already gained 7 pounds when the same routine has always worked for me! Glad I found these posts. It's not worth it because my ankles and feet have been swelling also. Thanks. Keep up the progress! I go in a month to get my diagnosis and plan. I'm anxious to find out what's wrong.
For me the answere is yes,. On the day I started Gabipentian 300mg 2x's a day, I weighed 148lbs. Before starting gabapentin my daily pain level of 7 to 10 with some days not being able to function at all (pain level off the chart.) Shortly after staring it, I noticed a reduction in my migraines, muscles spasms, it helped with all my pains. I was able to get dressed, cook, clean, have a life with a pain level of only about 4 to 5.
Less pain by 1/2, my energy & activity level more than double, & no change in my diet, I should be thrilled.
But I was gaining around 1lb a week, I thought my levethroxine might be off, however that was not the case.
I weighed 162lbs (a weight gain of 14 lbs) when I went on vacation for a week. I had forgot my Gabipentian at home and when I returned I did not start it back up.
My pain level is between 7 to 9, greatly reducing my ability to have a life. However, my weight is down to 151lbs
My advice is to try a diuretic, rx not otc, like Lasix or Spironolactone. The fluids and water weight can be the difference between wearing your new shoes or wearing slippers everywhere.
You sound identical to me..Pain and chunky or no pain and thin.I've been on it for three months and almost 10 lbs irregular periods forget things. And fat..but upside I can function
I started taking this med when I went off Xanax and klonopin. I also was very careful about my weight bcuz I had previously been overweight and it is difficult to lose! I have spinal stenosis also, so this neorontin helps with both pain and anxiety. BUT, it is counterproductive, bcuz I have more pain AND anxiety when I'm heavy! I wish my doctor would have told me.
Benzodiazapines, like Xanax and Clonazepam, cause cravings for sweets that I feel can't be measured in comparison to Neurontin (gabapentin) or other anxioletic meds. I personally had an enormous weight increase when I was put on Remeron (Mirtazapine), gabapentin, AND Visaryl (hydroxyzine). My appetite went sky high. the Remeron caused peripheral Edema, sending me to the ER for a shot of Lasix. I am not exaggeating when I say I peed off 9 lbs in 24 hours. But I still have all this extra weight. My gp has ordered ultrasounds. Echocardiogram, blood work. This combo of meds is the only thing that helped my depression, Anxiety and insomnia, so they don't want me off the meds. It's unbareable being so heavy, but it was impossible living without the meds.
I have been taking neurontin for a couple of years now. I was already heavy, but now I am 300 plus. I need to stop taking this, but anxiety and chronic pain do suck. I asked my doc if I can taper down, and that is fine. I will report when I get back to my usual 250!
I've been taking Gapapentin for a year now. I take 300mg capsules,600 mg a dose,every 12 hours if needed. Ever since my doctor put me on Gabapentin for a few reasons (Helps my Bipolar disorder..or as some would call it,Manic Depression,as well as the pinched nerve in my arm.) I noticed almost right away the medicine caused me to gain 25 pounds..and though I haven't gained anymore weight,I just wanted others to know yes,Gabapentin either makes you lose or gain weight. For some people like me,they retain water weight,around their gut. I crave alot of carbohydrates and salty foods,it's weird because before I was on Gabapentin,I never really would crave those kinds of foods. Hopefully this answer helps ya out!:)
I have been on Topamax for years with no problem. I started Gabapentin at only 300 mg for a little over a month ago, and the water retention is ridiculous! I feel bloated ALL THE TIME!!!
After taking Klonopin for anxiety and nerve pain with no weight gain and trying neurontin for same-after a month no change in weight and it didn't help with my issues. Experienced significant nausea and vomiting from it. I'm 5'6"/ workout regularly and keep steady at 120. Note I didn't lose-ate far less-so, should've lost weight. Glad I didn't. Believe it affects cortisol like steroids do. Intra spinal cord injections do cause weight gain as the oral pills do because of water retention and hormone imbalance. Believe for short term use, if one doesn't have side effects, Neurontin is a good drug,but for use over a month to six weeks, it is rife with side effects all of which cause weight gain. We all know weight gain adds to pain. Medical professionals goal should be to eliminate as much pain as needed so folks can move around and work out. Otherwise we see a circular problem nearly impossible to correct
Further Information
- Neurontin Information for Consumers
- Neurontin Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Neurontin (detailed)
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Thanks balbanese - I will have to give up my love of all things sweet, but so far I haven't had much of an appetite. The neurontin is helping with anxiety and sore joints - which is a nice win.
Yes, and giving up the sweets? A win win! I just went on a Gluten, Soy, Dairy, Sugar, Sugar substitute free diet. Within 3-days I felt brand new, not sure which of those made the difference, but I can say that once the sweets are gone, you will be amazed at the wonderful natural flavors out there. Also, beware of Fructose (in fruit) corn syrup, honey (all forms) and other sneaky ways sugar sneaks in.
I see in my initial response I said hydrate "and don't change our eating habits." Error! Hydrate and take a good look at our eating habits. I think you understood the first time, just want to be sure I'm not contradicting myself (then I get into an argument with myself and that's really annoying)
:)
I thought honey was a natural way to sweeten hot tea =(
So what DID you eat?