Does Gabapentin Cause Weight Gain? The Secret has been Unfurled!

Are you struggling with your clothes a lot these days (because they don’t fit you anymore)?!

Have you recently gained a lot of weight but doesn’t even know the cause behind it?

Have you ever thought that an epileptic drug can cause weight gain?

Yes, I am talking about Gabapentin.

This anticonvulsant surely help you with your seizure problem. But recently, its popularity has been decreasing due to the long list of side effects associated with its use.

I am not asking you to stop taking your drug.

I just want to aware you about its side effects.

In this article, we will try to give you an insight on the problem of weight gain with Gabapentin.

If you trust me, scroll down!

Know Your Drug- Gabapentin

Gabapentin is a drug which is used to treat neurological disorders like neuropathic pain, epilepsy, anxiety, migraines, restless leg syndrome, hot flashes, etc.

This drug has been clinically associated with weight gain. Some individuals have even reported weight loss with Gabapentin usage.

Some of the individuals, in fact, experience no weight gain or weight loss. (I think they are the blessed ones!)

Let’s discover more about it.

How Does Gabapentin Cause Weight Gain?

A number of possibilities have been associated with the weight gain tendency of Gabapentin. That means Gabapentin itself doesn’t act as a ‘weight gainer’, instead, the other side-effects associated, contribute to the weight gain mechanism. Some of these are mentioned below:

Food cravings

Gabapentin has been linked to an increased desire for certain kinds of foods( mostly carbohydrates and sugars).

Yes, Gabapentin is known to increase food cravings. It is likely that when you take carbohydrates and sugars, weight gain is must.

Consumption of sugar may disturb sugar levels in the blood, which produces chemical changes in the body. Carbohydrate consumption may lead to metabolic disturbance, hence weight gain is obvious. This is the sanity behind weight gain with Gabapentin.

Appetite increase

Gabapentin can alter your appetite. Let me explain you.

You may feel episodes of excessive hunger. Excessive hunger results into episodes of binge eating. Binge eating can result in an excessive weight gain.

Fatigue

Gabapentin produces analgesic effects. Patients generally complain of a feeling of tiredness and restlessness. This results into drowsiness. Drowsiness results in decreased physical activity. As a result, metabolism will get disturbed resulting in weight gain.

Hormonal disturbance

Gabapentin creates chemical changes in the brain which can create a hormonal disturbance in the body. This can result in sluggish metabolism, increased fat storage, and weight gain. However, it is not necessary that every individual taking this drug will face these hormonal disturbances.

Slow metabolism

Gabapentin slows down the metabolic process of the body. This further reduces the fat-burning activities in the body, slowing down the process of digestion and leading to increased storage of lipids. Rest all depends on your daily life activities, your exercise program, and fluid intake.

Thus, an unhealthy diet and a bad exercise regimen along with slowed down metabolism can contribute to your weight gain process.

Water retention by the body

The consumption of Gabapentin may increase water retention by the body. Water retention can likewise prompt weight scale change. Retention of water in the body leads to the feeling of bloating and drowsiness.

Mental tiredness and low energy

Gabapentin leads to increased GABA concentrations (an inhibitory neurotransmitter).People who take gabapentin face mental tiredness. This tiredness lowers down their energy levels and they become lazy.
And you know laziness is directly proportional to weight gain.

Improvement of taste buds

Some people have reported alterations in the taste and claimed that their food started tasting better after taking this drug. Such individuals may indulge in overeating leading to increased weight.

What Measures Should be Followed?

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise is very compulsory when you are taking Gabapentin. Perform daily exercises from head to toe if you want to live a healthy life. 30 mins of brisk walking in the morning and evening are compulsory for you.

15 mins of running in the morning and in the evening and stretching exercises may prove very beneficial for you. Yoga and meditation will give you mental relaxation.

Perform these to get rid of side-effects of Gabapentin.

Diet Alertness

You have to be diet conscious if you want to live a healthy life. I am not saying that you start yelling with hunger. I just want to say that eat a healthy diet. Modify your diet habits. Consult your diet counselor.

Your diet counselor is going to provide you the best diet plans. Eat food with fewer fats and less saturated fats. Add more fibers, more fluids, balanced protein and balanced carbohydrates in your diet.

Plenty of fluids for you

Take plenty of fluids. Take at least 4 liters of water in a day. Add fruits like oranges, watermelon. Such fruits are going to maintain hydration levels in your body.

You will not suffer from dehydration. You can easily get rid of your pear-shaped and apple shaped body.

Add music to your life

Add music to your life. This is a very good exercise for your mind. Listening to your favorite track, dancing for at least 20 mins daily is very good for you.

Believe me, I have tried this. I feel very positive from inside. It gives me inner peace.
Try this, you will feel relaxed and happy.

Opt a sport

As I have told you that people who take it become lazy. Laziness is not good for you and for your body. To avoid this, opt a sport like badminton, basketball, cricket, rugby etc.

The sport should be an outdoor sport. When you develop an interest in the sport, you won’t feel laziness anymore. Playing sport is good for your mental and physical health.

Words of Cessation

We have discussed the possible side effects of Gabapentin that can lead to weight gain.

You cannot terminate your medicine since it is your necessity. But the thing is that you need to deal with the symptoms.

My only request to you is deal with the illness by taking precautions and by opting healthy eating and living habits.

In my bottom lines, I would say that follow my guidelines and you will be benefitted.

If you have any queries, I would love to answer.

Till then stay healthy, stay fit.

Faq’s about Gabapentin