Pregabalin and weight gain

[Jackiep1216]

Is there anyone who has NOT gained weight switching to pregabalin? My doctor wants to switch me from requip and gabapentin to pregabalin, but weight gain is a huge issue for me.

[SueJohnson]

I don't gain weight on pregabalin although I only occasionally take it when it is inconvenient to take gabapentin. Certain not everyone gains weight on pregabalin. In a study of 3187 taking 150-600 mg/day the majority maintained weight within ±7% baseline weight. One in six patients gained >= 7% weight

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/224...

The main reason is it increases your appetite.

Keep in mind neither gabapentin nor pregabalin will help much until you have been off requip and the withdrawal symptom have settled.

[amrob123]

Probably not what you want to hear but I am someone who has for 25+ years maintained a very steady weight . I am on the slim side. I gained weight on pregabalin over a few years, approx 1.5 dress sizes. I was definitely hungrier, especially in the evening. I undertook a strict diet (for GERD) last year, including walking every day, and I lost 2 dress sizes and have kept it off. So, I from my experience, I think there is a tendency to gain weight and probably more so if one gains weight easily.

[Jackiep1216 in reply to amrob123]

Hi, so how many milligrams are you on?

[amrob123 in reply to Jackiep1216]

For the time period i was referring to, i was on 300mg for the most part. In recent months i have reduced and am now on 150mg.

[Jackiep1216 in reply to amrob123]

Thank you. This drug is fixing one problem just to create another. This is the best they can do?

[amrob123 in reply to Jackiep1216]

I think that applies to nearly all medications. Unfortunately, often it's a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils... It might be worth trying all the same. People do say they lose weight once they stop it.

[Jackiep1216 in reply to amrob123]

How do you stop it? It's not like RLS goes away.

[amrob123 in reply to Jackiep1216]

By finding alternative medications/therapies and identifying lifestyle factors (including dietary triggers) that impact RLS.

[SueJohnson in reply to Jackiep1216]

You stop it by slowly reducing it like 25 mg every couple of weeks.

[Jackiep1216 in reply to SueJohnson]

No, I mean there is no cure so what meds do you go on once you get off the Pregabalin?

[SueJohnson in reply to Jackiep1216]

Dipyridamole is one and for most low dose opioids. If you get to that point I can give you more information.

[Jackiep1216 in reply to SueJohnson]

I would rather go on an opiod than worry about weight gain with Pregabalin.

[SueJohnson in reply to Jackiep1216]

Opioids have their own side effects and are hard to get a doctor to prescribe. I really would recommend saving them in case nothing else works. And as I mentioned the likelihood of much weight gain is relatively small and usually goes away once you are off it.

[Jackiep1216 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue!

[Flora-Rose]

Hi Jackie

I’m on 450mg of pregabolin and have maintained my usual weight. Sometimes it has taken a bit of effort, but worth it to be mostly clear of RLS. Good luck.

[Jackiep1216 in reply to Flora-Rose]

Thank you. Glad to hear it has helped.

[Retro_bob]

Hello. ive been on 300mg for best part of a year now and mainitained my pre (slimish) weight without any changes in diet or exercise

[Jackiep1216 in reply to Retro_bob]

You made my day Bob ..thank you!

[RLSAndy]

imo it can not physically make you gain weight. I do bodybuilding so eat and calculate my calorie intake and although taking 450mg pregabalin hasnt made me gain weight in fact ive dropped three stone (intentionally) what they may do is increase appetite or cravings, from what ive been taught the best way to deal with this is complex carbs, fibre, high protein, lots of water upto 4ltr a day and electrolytes. I appreciate age, gender and specifically for females menopause and its various stages are and extremely hard factor on top of all of this so without patronising as a 42 year old male im just talking from my experience and really hope it helps.

[Jackiep1216 in reply to RLSAndy]

Thank you!