Gabapentin and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Bar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 29, 2019

For Neuropathic Pain "The only complaint is hunger. I’m on 400 mg, 3x a day, bringing my nerve pain from an 8 down to a 5. Anyone that’s overweight, be careful because it will put weight on you. Your body becomes addicted to it after 3 months."

• Bes...
• February 25, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "I was worried gabapentin would make me a zombie, but to my surprise, it didn't. My pain management doctor gave me this for nerve pain in my face and fibromyalgia. It seems to help. I have been taking a very low dose of hydrocodone, 2.5 to 5 mg, as needed to take the edge off pain for several years. I don't like hydrocodone or the feeling it gives me. I don't like the sleepy, groggy feeling. If I feel like that, I am overmedicated. But a little bit helps the pain...maybe I am an oddball, but I only take the opioid when I am in real pain. I also take 300 mg of Wellbutrin XL daily, which works okay. Nothing has really worked on my depression, but at least I am doing okay. So I'll see how the gabapentin does. If it causes weight gain, I'll quit it."

• Anonymous
• December 19, 2016

For Spondylolisthesis "I also have 2 benign tumors on my S1 and coccyx. I've been on Tramadol for 2 years, giving some temporary relief, it also helped me out of bed in the morning. I was put on Gabapentin about 8 months ago. It's been slowly titrated up, I hadn't really felt any relief until I hit the dosage of 900 mg x 3 daily. With my doctor wanting to take me off Tramadol, I felt I had no choice but to up my doses. I've gained 45 lbs in the last year, and I pretty much have to starve myself to lose a couple of pounds. Do I put up with the weight gain and some relief or switch drugs? I'm in Alberta, and getting a new doctor is almost impossible. I was told to hang on by friends, but for how long?"

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2024

For Migraine "I'm taking gabapentin for migraine/TAC headache 3 months ago. I started at 500 mg & now take it 3 times a day. I didn't experience any common side effects. However, if I take 2, I can't drive because I kind of feel spaced out & forgetful. It's helping my left eye pain that's been severe on and off every day for a year. I have carpal tunnel, but it doesn't seem to help with that, but I've also been hauling tree limbs to the curb, so that definitely aggravates it. As for weight gain, usually it's emotional eating, but with gabapentin and Seroquel, it could be one or all three. It's really benefiting me as Lyrica didn't work at all."

• Jef...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 3, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "I had been taking gabapentin for many years due to nerve pain resulting from surgery on my calf. It does work very well on relieving the pain, but it also caused very rapid weight gain (25 lbs in 2 months). I was able to wean myself off it for a while, but started again when I couldn't control the pain any other way. Started with 2 (300 mg) capsules daily, and with no change to my diet, have gained 6.5 lbs in just 4 days. I will be consulting a new neurologist shortly to determine if there is a different medication that I can take."

• Loo...
• June 23, 2019

"I have complex PTSD and a dissociative disorder. I experience severe anxiety beginning in the afternoons and insomnia since I was a teenager. I have taken a range of drugs and side effects - severe allergic reactions to - lamotrigine and oxcarbazepine and weight gain from Seroquel. I am on the Seroquel, Latuda, and Xanax at bedtime, and Adderall in the morning. My anxiety has been so bad my diaphragm felt tied up in knots and painful. I was somewhat agoraphobic. My Pdoc started me on 300 mg of gabapentin 3x a day. I noticed a difference on day 1! My anxiety level bottomed out, and I am able to focus, feel calm, get my work done, and go out. Interestingly enough, a few weeks ago, I sleep like a baby since starting it. Really amazing! Gabapentin is finally giving me the relief I've needed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2022

For Fibromyalgia "I've been using this medicine for a few months now. I take it for my fibromyalgia, and it only helps a little. I've also been incredibly hungry and have gained a lot of weight since I started taking this medicine."

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2023

For Fibromyalgia "Was prescribed gabapentin for moderate to severe fibromyalgia nerve pain. Initial dose was 300-300-600. Saw a vast improvement in pain over the course of the first 6 months. Initial drawbacks were weight gain and fatigue. After my body adjusted to the side effects, I have had substantial relief, and if I accidentally miss a dose, I can tell right away, as the pain worsens quickly. I'm now taking 300 mg twice a day and 900 at bedtime because it also helps my restless leg syndrome as well! It is easy to take, and I would definitely recommend it to others."

• Mar...
• December 7, 2017

For Anxiety "I was on Doxepin 100 mg for a year, which worked incredibly for anxiety and insomnia. However, it caused delayed gastric emptying and never-ending weight gain, so I asked my psych if I could try gabapentin due to the reviews here. Have been on 200 mg in the morning and 300 mg at night for a month, which is a low dose, but has done nothing for my anxiety. Psych is starting me on Trazodone (again) for the anxiety but wants me to remain on the gabapentin because it does help with hot flashes, RLS, sleep, and surprisingly, controls my agitation. Dr. wants to increase it quickly over the next two months to replace the Trileptal that I've been on for several years as a mood stabilizer. I definitely think gabapentin has its place as a mood stabilizer for BP patients."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2022

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I was given 100 mg each night for nerve pain down my leg and in my buttocks thanks to a bulging disc and nerve pain for 12 months. It mildly helped numb the pain in only the 6 days I was using it, but I had to wean off after only 6 days due to stomach bloating/bulging, 24-hour hunger pains (and I mean pains), and 6 lbs gained in 6 days. This was NOT acid reflux at all. Not sure if that was from my eating or water retention, but absolutely related to the gabapentin. Glad it helps some out there, but the pharmacist thought I was just very sensitive to it and had to stop."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "I have not had any weight gain or water retention and try hard to watch my sodium. I highly recommend this med if you have tried others like I have and are still in a lot of pain. I do still need my regular pain med; thankfully, I can take less of it. There is one dangerous side effect of gabapentin, and that is why I am writing this review. For me, it exacerbates sadness and feelings of despair and hopelessness - it causes irritability. I am dealing with these issues already, and this med makes it worse. The only reason to take this is if you are in debilitating pain - as in cannot get up and walk and need it. I am aware of these other effects and trying to exercise - because it helps A LOT :) I make it a point to be sure and exercise every day to dissipate these feelings. I will take this as long as I can. If you don't have control over your feelings - if you don't know how to be sad or mad or feel your feelings - I would not take it."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 6, 2023

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "Taking gabapentin for 19 months now at 3600 mg a day. The capsules are quite easy to take. While the terrible pain, like electric shocks, has lessened, I still experience pain. The side effects are constant tiredness and a dull, foggy feeling in my head. I have also gained weight. I guess I expected more after all this time."

• Dea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2024

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I have been taking gabapentin (Neurontin), 300 mg at bedtime for the last 5 months. I had restlessness in my legs, arms, and back. I had to constantly move in order to calm down the restlessness. This medication is very helpful. I have less restlessness than before. I also noticed certain foods cause restless leg syndrome. I avoid those foods. This medication works like a miracle, except that I put on some weight, which I am worried about. Other than weight gain, it works pretty well."

• bra...
• August 20, 2009

Gabapentin for Postherpetic Neuralgia "Do not like the weight gain."

• Anonymous
• May 1, 2020

For Pain "Used it to help manage pain from endometriosis. By far the worst, I had a lot of the side effects. The one that had the worst impact on me was weight gain-12 lbs over. I flushed these pills away."

• Boo...
• April 8, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "Withdrawal bad when trying to stop medication. Works great for my fibro, also helps my anxiety, but gained 50 pounds while taking it."

• DVL...
• May 31, 2017

For Anxiety "It seems to work for generalized anxiety when taken in large doses twice a day (for me anyway). It does seem to cause weight gain, though."

• May...
• December 2, 2017

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I feel more aggressive, angry, unable to focus on things for a long period of time, weight gain."

• Fay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 18, 2022

For Anxiety "I gained weight, about 30 lb, have headache, I feel heavy."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2008

For Epilepsy "The doctor gave me gabapentin to go along with my Keppra for seizures and migraines. I have gained about 20 pounds in 5 months. Still really helps not to be so shaky all the time."

• Den...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "I have fatigue, hand swelling, blurry vision, and weight gain. The benefits are I have less neuropathy pain in my legs and feet."

• Spr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "It did not touch my occipital neuralgia or trigeminal neuralgia pain. I was up to 2700 mg/day. Gained about fifteen pounds in a couple of months. No other side effects. Switched to other med."

• chr...
• July 10, 2009

Gabapentin for Pain "Although it helps with my RSD pain, it still has adverse side effects, such as weight gain, and large doses seem to affect the gastric system."