Skip to main content

Does Xcopri cause weight gain or weight loss?

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 10, 2024.

Will Xcopri tablets (cenobamate) cause me to gain weight or lose weight?

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Yes, Xcopri can cause weight loss for a small percentage of users. In clinical trials up to 2% of patients experienced weight loss, and up to 5% of patients had decreased appetite. Most people will not see a change in weight.

Xcopri (cenobamate) is FDA approved medicine used for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adult patients.

Medicines used to treat seizures (also called antiepileptic drugs or anticonvulsants) are usually taken long term so side effects of significant weight gain or weight loss overtime can cause marked health issues. Usually weight gain or weight loss only affects a small percentage of patients.

The antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are sometimes divided into groups by how they may affect weight.

Antiepileptic drugs that may cause:

weight gain:

  • gabapentin
  • pregabalin
  • valproic acid
  • vigabatrin
  • possibly carbamazepine

weight neutral:

  • lamotrigine,
  • levetiracetam
  • phenytoin

slight weight loss:

  • felbamate

strong weight loss:

  • topiramate
  • zonisamide

If you are concerned about weight loss or weight gain may be due to your medication it is important to discuss this with your doctor.
Note: You should not to discontinue taking Xcopri or other antiepileptic drugs without consulting with your healthcare provider.

For more information on Xcopri click here: Xcopri Medication Information

References
  • Xcopri Prescribing Information: [Accessed October 20, 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/212839s006s007lbl.pdf
  • Weight issues for people with epilepsy--a review: [Accessed October 20, 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18047602/
  • Weight-reducing side effects of the antiepileptic agents topiramate and zonisamide: [Accessed October 20, 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22249827/#:~:text=Several%20antiepileptic%20drugs%20(AEDs)%20are,loss%20as%2C%20e.g.%2C%20felbamate.

 

Read next

Is Xcopri a controlled substance?

Xcopri (generic name: cenobamate) is a schedule 5 controlled substance (CV) first approved in 2019. It is an oral tablet used for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adult patients with epilepsy. Xcopri is classified as a controlled substance by the DEA because it may be habit-forming and lead to abuse or dependence. Continue reading

Is obesity a major risk factor for Covid-19?

Obesity is a major risk factor for covid-19 and people who are obese are more likely than those who are not obese to contract Covid-19 at a younger age, develop severe Covid-19, require hospitalization, oxygen, mechanical ventilation, intubation, or admission into ICU, end up in hospital sooner, or die from Covid-19. Continue reading

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?

Mounjaro and Ozempic are prescription medicines used alongside diet and exercise to help control blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is also approved to lower the risk of a major cardiovascular event (like a heart attack or stroke) in patients with type 2 diabetes, as well as to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease and heart-related death in patients with type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro has not yet received these indications, although studies are ongoing.

In a large, 2024 retrospective study in adults with overweight or obesity and treated for type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro led to at least a 5% weight loss within one year in 81.8% of adults compared to 66.5% of those using Ozempic. Continue reading

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups

Medical Disclaimer