Does anyone have experience of the drugs regarding weight gain. I have gained over 10lb on Pregabalin which seems to be impossible to lose. I take 200mg a day, which gives me relief from RLS but my question is does Gabapentin cause weight gain too?
Than you
Sorry you don't seem to be getting any replies.
My only experience is of gabapentin, not pregabalin. It hasn't caused me any weight gain at all.
However, weight gain is listed as a possible side effect of both of them.
I believe this is partly due to water retention and partly because they are an appetite stimulant. It's also thought that because gabapentin can lower metabolism, lowers energy etc, you use less calories.
I read that weight gain affects about 3% of people taking gabapentin.
I'm afraid it sounds like you're one of the unfortunate ones. Switching to gabapentin may be of little benefit.
I'm afraid the only things you do, apart from reducing the dose is be more active and eat less. I appreciate how hard that is.
If you look up "natural diuretics for water retention" , it seems there's quite a few fruits, vegs or herbs for reducing water retention.
Thanks Manerva, I will try the water retention route, as I know this is part of the problem.
Hi. Like Manerva, I haven’t gained weight on Gabapentin. I take 900mg; 600mg two hours before bedtime and 300mg two hours before that. I haven’t noticed an increase in appetite and have tolerated the medication very well. Hoping it works well for you. Best of luck 
Hi, I've been taking gabapentin for about 5 years now and after some initial side effects wore off (mainly excessive dizziness) I haven't suffered anything else except some lower leg swelling due to water retention, but that isn't even bad enough to require meds. No weight gain for me.
Hi, I take 150mg per day of pregablin and have been using it long term. My experience is like yours - I have gained weight and find it very difficult to shed. As a counter measure I stay very active (lots of walking and gym classes) and would describe myself as fat fit. It is interesting to hear that gabapentin users are not experiencing weight gain - I might talk to my neurologist about switching. I hope you find your own solution - all the best.
I have been taking Gabapentin for several years and even though I gain weight easily if I'm not careful it seems to have had no adverse effect. I also take Amlodipine a side effect of which can be both weight gain or loss so maybe this has balanced things out. Sadly weight gain does seem so easy to acquire but extremely difficult to lose.
Good luck.
Why do they never give me the ones for weight loss! Sign me up! 😂
I gained weight on Pramipexole, nearly a stone with no change of diet, had augmentation, stopped it and was then given Gabapentin and have gained a lot more, never been this heavy before, never!
I have been on gabapentin for years and have not experienced any side effects at all
Weight gain was why I stopped taken Pregabalin after 2 weeks.
I’ve been taking a big dose of Gabapentin for a long time and have not gained any weight at all.
2.9 % of gabapentin users gain weight, compared to 1.6% who dont take it, I dont know if that is a conclusive outcome. Sorry cant be more informative, but i dont take it, I don feel, however that i gained some in taking Prem-pexole
Hi, I had pregabalin for a couple of weeks before I had to change to Gabapentin. However at the point is was described the neurologist told me it was a known side effect of Pregabalin that it made people feel hungry and that I should make sure I eat healthily. I don't know whether this makes any sense to you. I had problems with weight gain taking Dopamine Agonists and really did have to watch what I ate but if I followed the slimmers world regime I could lose it again. Good luck.
Janet X
I am one of those weird humans who doesn’t experience hunger pains ( except when pregnant & it was a light bulb moment). However, on pregabalin I experienced hunger pains and so ate more than I usually do. I have also gained 10 pounds but am actually not too bothered as I think I was slightly underweight before & I prefer to have my RLS under control.
I think a lot of the weight gain is due to increased appetite which may sneak up on you. As others have advised, healthy eating and exercise should resolve it.
I have eaten pregabalin for many years and have not gained weight.
Thanks you people, I think you may well be correct about the appetite. I am going to get rid of this weight now - have a posh wedding to go to soon so it must go then I can wear a posh frock!
Hi!
I have been on Gabapentine for the past four years for restless legs. I have gradually gained weight, but I assumed it was because I was not sleeping well, and perhaps not exercising as much as I used to. But now, I realize it is possibly because of the medicines.
I am gradually turning to Ayurveda, and after going through a nine day treatment under a certified Ayurvedic doctor, feel that my symptoms have reduced by about 75%. Hoping this lasts since I've completed my treatment.
Not sure if this is the answer you expected, but hoping it helps someone.
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