Is Weight Gain a Side Effect of Gabapentin?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs Weight Gain Common?Why Does It Happen?Other Side EffectsDrugs Causing Weight GainAvoiding Weight Gain

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Is Weight Gain Common?

Why Does It Happen?

Other Side Effects

Drugs Causing Weight Gain

Avoiding Weight Gain

Gabapentin may have some side effects. In addition to other gabapentin side effects, weight gain may affect some users, but it’s not common.

Is Weight Gain Common With Gabapentin?

Weight gainis not considered a common side effect of gabapentin. In clinical trials, only about 2% of people reported weight gain with its use.In people who do gain weight while on gabapentin, a research study showed a weight gain of about 5.5 pounds after 1.5 months of use.

If you do experience weight gain while taking gabapentin, do not stop taking it. Stopping gabapentin suddenly may result in withdrawal, which can increase your seizure frequency.Talk to your healthcare provider first so they can help safely lower your dosage.

The mechanism is not fully clear, but some think that gabapentin causes weight gain through the following:

How Long Does It Take to Gain Weight on Gabapentin?Weight gain due to gabapentin is different and depends on the dose and duration of its use. According to one research study, gabapentin was associated with a weight gain of about 5.5 pounds after 1.5 months of use.

How Long Does It Take to Gain Weight on Gabapentin?

Weight gain due to gabapentin is different and depends on the dose and duration of its use. According to one research study, gabapentin was associated with a weight gain of about 5.5 pounds after 1.5 months of use.

Other than weight gain, gabapentin may also cause some other side effects, such as:

These symptoms usually go away on their own. Tell your healthcare provider if any of these symptoms persist.

Severe Side Effects

Some severe side effects that may need medical attention include:

Warnings About Gabapentin UseGabapentin may cause self-harming or suicidal thoughts. Closely monitor any sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.Do not stop taking gabapentin suddenly without consulting your healthcare provider. Sudden stopping of gabapentin may causestatus epilepticus(seizures that will not stop) in people with epilepsy. Your healthcare provider can help gradually taper the dose before stopping it completely.

Warnings About Gabapentin Use

Gabapentin may cause self-harming or suicidal thoughts. Closely monitor any sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.Do not stop taking gabapentin suddenly without consulting your healthcare provider. Sudden stopping of gabapentin may causestatus epilepticus(seizures that will not stop) in people with epilepsy. Your healthcare provider can help gradually taper the dose before stopping it completely.

Gabapentin may cause self-harming or suicidal thoughts. Closely monitor any sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.

Do not stop taking gabapentin suddenly without consulting your healthcare provider. Sudden stopping of gabapentin may causestatus epilepticus(seizures that will not stop) in people with epilepsy. Your healthcare provider can help gradually taper the dose before stopping it completely.

Other Medications That Cause Weight Gain

Some drugs may cause weight gain more commonly than others. Not all, but some people may experience weight gain as a side effect of these drugs:

There are various reasons why medications cause weight gain. Talk to your healthcare provider if the risk of weight gain is a concern for you. They may be able to offer advice for minimizing this side effect or decide to switch you to another medication.

How to Avoid Weight Gain on Medications

Sometimes, dietary methods and lifestyle changes are not enough to achieve the desired effects. You can ask your healthcare provider aboutweight loss medications.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved medications like Wegovy (semaglutide), Adipex-P (phentermine) and Xenical (orlistat) to treat obesity. However, these should be used only as prescribed.

Summary

Gabapentin can cause a few side effects, including weight gain. Although it is not common, it may affect your weight depending on the dose of medicine and how long you take it.

If you’re taking gabapentin and you think you may have been gaining weight, talk to your healthcare provider. Lifestyle changes and medications may help with weight management. However, it’s important to never stop taking gabapentin on your own due to additional weight gain. Doing so can cause severe adverse effects.

7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed.Label: Neurontin- gabapentin.Domecq JP, Prutsky G, Leppin A, et al.Drugs commonly associated with weight change: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.2015;100(2):363. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-3421Jallon P, Picard F.Bodyweight gain and anticonvulsants: a comparative review.Drug Saf.2001;24(13):969-978. doi:10.2165/00002018-200124130-00004Quintero GC.Review about gabapentin misuse, interactions, contraindications and side effects.Journal of Experimental Pharmacology.2017;9:13. doi:10.2147/JEP.S124391DailyMed.Label: Novolog- insulin aspart injection, solution.US Food and Drug Administration.Neurontin (gabapentin) Highlights of prescribing information.Nihalani N, Schwartz TL, Siddiqui UA, Megna JL.Weight gain, obesity, and psychotropic prescribing.Journal of Obesity.2011;2011:893629. doi:10.1155/2011/893629

7 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed.Label: Neurontin- gabapentin.Domecq JP, Prutsky G, Leppin A, et al.Drugs commonly associated with weight change: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.2015;100(2):363. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-3421Jallon P, Picard F.Bodyweight gain and anticonvulsants: a comparative review.Drug Saf.2001;24(13):969-978. doi:10.2165/00002018-200124130-00004Quintero GC.Review about gabapentin misuse, interactions, contraindications and side effects.Journal of Experimental Pharmacology.2017;9:13. doi:10.2147/JEP.S124391DailyMed.Label: Novolog- insulin aspart injection, solution.US Food and Drug Administration.Neurontin (gabapentin) Highlights of prescribing information.Nihalani N, Schwartz TL, Siddiqui UA, Megna JL.Weight gain, obesity, and psychotropic prescribing.Journal of Obesity.2011;2011:893629. doi:10.1155/2011/893629

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

DailyMed.Label: Neurontin- gabapentin.Domecq JP, Prutsky G, Leppin A, et al.Drugs commonly associated with weight change: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.2015;100(2):363. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-3421Jallon P, Picard F.Bodyweight gain and anticonvulsants: a comparative review.Drug Saf.2001;24(13):969-978. doi:10.2165/00002018-200124130-00004Quintero GC.Review about gabapentin misuse, interactions, contraindications and side effects.Journal of Experimental Pharmacology.2017;9:13. doi:10.2147/JEP.S124391DailyMed.Label: Novolog- insulin aspart injection, solution.US Food and Drug Administration.Neurontin (gabapentin) Highlights of prescribing information.Nihalani N, Schwartz TL, Siddiqui UA, Megna JL.Weight gain, obesity, and psychotropic prescribing.Journal of Obesity.2011;2011:893629. doi:10.1155/2011/893629

DailyMed.Label: Neurontin- gabapentin.

Domecq JP, Prutsky G, Leppin A, et al.Drugs commonly associated with weight change: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.2015;100(2):363. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-3421

Jallon P, Picard F.Bodyweight gain and anticonvulsants: a comparative review.Drug Saf.2001;24(13):969-978. doi:10.2165/00002018-200124130-00004

Quintero GC.Review about gabapentin misuse, interactions, contraindications and side effects.Journal of Experimental Pharmacology.2017;9:13. doi:10.2147/JEP.S124391

DailyMed.Label: Novolog- insulin aspart injection, solution.

US Food and Drug Administration.Neurontin (gabapentin) Highlights of prescribing information.

Nihalani N, Schwartz TL, Siddiqui UA, Megna JL.Weight gain, obesity, and psychotropic prescribing.Journal of Obesity.2011;2011:893629. doi:10.1155/2011/893629

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