Weight/lyrica

[mikewilliams]

Why do people put on weight using lyrica

[bluebell99]

Lyrica/pregabalin can and does cause weight gain. It is also a medication used for people who are underweight to stimulate the appetite.

It can make you feel lethargic and drowsy in the early days so you are not moving around so much which doesn't help.

Unfortunately for those who are already even slightly overweight it takes a lot of will power to ignore the hungry tummy rumblings and do more exercise.

I gained 5kg which I have never lost, even though I gave it up after two months due to adverse side effects.

Be very careful about what you eat and how much and you should be all right.

[Hidden in reply to bluebell99]

Yes definitely gives you an appetite. I have been taking it for over a year, the appetite does get less over time but I have had to say no to biscuits, cakes, icecream, also try to keep an eye on other fats, dressings on salad. Seems like a boring life but keeps a check on things.

[Loulou2222 in reply to bluebell99]

I just read a post on pregabalin and everyone on said they have massive weight gain and can’t get it off. Pregabalin is Lyrica. It doesn’t seem to matter what they eat they gain weight and can’t lose it. Loodpk for the thread on here and have a read for yourself.

[cyberbarn]

First in direct answer to your question, why people gain weight on Lyrica is not yet fully understood. They think there may be some genetic underpinning, others that it results in an elevated creatinine level, or that because it affects the calcium channels in the brain it can interfere with the normal neurotransmitter function, for example in the dopamine systems in the brain. And this can result in people eating more. So there are many things that might be going on, not one single thing.

But, it is worth remembering that not all people gain weight when they take it. In one large study they found that the majority of patients that were taking pregabalin maintained weight within 7% of their base line (you have to remember that people often put on small amounts of weight as they get older anyway) and only 1 in 6 patients gained weight beyond the 7% baseline weight.

So as Bluebell says, if you are careful about what you eat and keep moving, you should be okay.

[Loulou2222 in reply to cyberbarn]

Well according to people who are on it, they all gain weight, even whilst dieting and exercising. So it is not a matter of “you should be ok”. If you follow the pattern of others, you will gain weight and you won’t be able to lose till you stop taking it. Even then, some said they couldn’t get it off.

[Imdone]

I saw a specialist who advised that experts don’t know why we gain weight on this medication. I came off Lyrica and changed to nortriptyline, which has fewer side effects. Hope that helps.

[micox]

Hi Mike. This isn't by any means the only medication which leads to weight gain and I've been annoyed by the NHS adverts criticising people for being 'obese.' Prescription medicines are often the cause of this but it's never mentioned as part of the government propaganda blaming patients for their condition. There are usually no warnings from clinicians about these side effects. I say this as I worked in mental health for 30 years and witnessed these sometimes vicious side effects of psychiatric drugs in particular with steroids coming a close second. Stop blaming the patients for the actions of NHS clinicians.

[Fudge57]

Hi Mike, You don't give your circumstances, as in, are you taking Lyrica, or, has it been suggested you take it. All, drugs affect people in different ways. Many drugs do make people put on weight as a side effect. You have to weigh up the benefits of how It can help you. I have several conditions and am on a lot of medication, including Lyrica. I have been on it now for several years. And it is helping me. That's all I can tell you. You must decide for yourself

[rosewine]

I was never a person who particularly liked chocolate or sweets I was more a savoury person. Within a week of taking Pregablin I was craving Mars bars that I would never have eaten before. The drug initially made me so tired I was barely moving out of my chair. Of course feeling like this I couldn't cook properly so started to rely on ready meals etc and nibble at sweet stuff. I also wasn't taking any exercise. Before being ill I swam twice a week, walked an hour a day, gardened, shipped, did all the housework.

I realised I had to take myself in hand as the pounds were starting to pile on (I had been a healthy weight before). I also have osteoarthritis so the extra pounds were doing nothing for the pain in my joints. I slowly forced myself to take more exercise doing stretching movements etc whilst still seated and building up.I ordered groceries to be delivered so wasn't tempted by all the goodies in the shop and only ordered healthy easily prepared food. The changes were gradual.

I am still in Pregablin and am actually half a stone lighter than before I was ill. I think some of the side effects of the drug can make keeping to a healthy lifestyle difficult and often because people get understandably depressed because of long term pain this makes them comfort eat. I know that was another factor for me. I do allow myself treats but weigh myself once a week and if I put in 2lbs I cut back to just the basics again.x

[hinzey1980]

I've been taking pregabalin since beginning of May and in that time i have gained over a stone!! my appetite increased greatly and i was eating alot of unhealthy foods.. I have been very strict with what i eat over the last month but the weight just will not come off at all.. before i started taking pregabalin i never had a problem with loosing weight so i definately believe it slows things down but the positive side of this is it does really help with my back pain so i dont know what to do as i dont want to keep gaining anymore weight!

[Kingsley09]

I think if you are diabetic I read somewhere you are more likely to put on weight I’m not and I haven’t put on weight since on pregabalin so that might be right