Does Lyrica cause weight gain?

[Raven123]

Has anyone had weight issues with lyrica?

[SueJohnson]

I take gabapentin which is basically the same and I gained a couple pounds.

[Joolsg]

Yes. I gained over half a stone on pregabalin. Gabapentin and pregabalin increase appetite and also cause some fluid retention.

[LanaCSR]

I totally blew up on Lyrica. Sad, too, because it seemed to be helping my RLS, but I had to stop taking the Lyrica due to those side effects. 😢

[Hidden]

Yes. Weight gain is a common side effect.

[Rsl1]

I put on 5 kg

[martino]

I am sure it is the culprit for my weight gain. My weight was responsible for me moving into the pre diabetic range. My diet is fat free so I had a problem knowing how I could get the blood score down. I am reluctant to go off Pregabelin as I am sure it is doing me good. What a dilemma!

[Munroist]

I took it for you a year and put on 7lb but I suspect it is as much about lack of discipline as the drug itself. When I stopped the weight didn’t roll off on its own and it took some restraint and exercise to lose it so it wasn’t just water retention. My weight does vary by more than that as my lifestyle changes so I find it hard to blame the Lyrica on its own.

[Nikos64]

Definitely gabapentin and pregabalin causeWeight gain. Pregabalin much more in fact. I was at my heaviest when I was on it. Not only that, you sleep a lot on pregabalin and waking up early is difficult. I’d avoid both if you can.

[Lolly53]

Yes. I gained over 20 pounds on Lyrica. My doctor said it is a very common side effect. But the other advanatages of the drug outweighs this problem. It increases the appetite for sure. Weight came right off when I was able to cut down on it.

[fishinphil1946]

I took pramipexole (same class of drug- dopamine agonist) for 9 years. Whenever I woke, I ate. These drugs increase compulsive behaviors including shopping, gambling and eating. I gained 20 pounds the first 2 years which increased my sleep apnea events (stop breathing for 10 seconds or more during sleep) from less than 5 per hour to over 20 per hour. During the next 7 years, I gained another 34 pounds (184 to 238). It took me 36 weeks to go from 2.0mg/day to 0mg (reduced 0.125mg/2 weeks) and a month to purge it from my system. So far, my ankles are no longer swollen, and I have lost 18 pounds. I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet, but my RLS hasn't been a problem. I take 1200mg/day of gabapentin.There have been several articles recently that have been critical of DA drugs including Lyrica, Pramipexole, Neupro patches, etc. Most or all of these RLS/Parkinson drugs seen to be effective initially but need to be monitored over time.

[Gabbii]

I have been eating Lyrica for over 10 years, 250 mg/day, and not gained any weight.

[wbdetroit]

YES INDEED! I've put on weight since I started taking Lyrica. I'm eating even less than I was before, the weight is around my belly. Maybe Lyrica slows down our metabolism. I guess one key is to limit salt intake and get a little more exercise. I've leveled off a bit, hoping to actually lose a few pounds. I don't want to stop taking it because even though the side effects aren't good at all, it does help with my neuropathy more than anything else I've taken. Good luck to you.

[Eryl]

If your belly is enlarged it may be due to inflammation of the gut rather than fat. Try an anti inflammatory diet which would probably reduce the rl as well.