Does gabapentin cause weight gain?

Key Points

• Gabapentin is a nerve medication that may cause weight gain in some patients.
• The best way to manage gabapentin weight gain is with a good diet and healthy habits.
• A registered dietitian is an excellent partner to help navigate weight changes as a result of medication.

Are you experiencing weight gain while taking gabapentin? While this nerve medication is an incredible therapy for those with epilepsy and other conditions, in some cases, it can cause weight gain.

If you’re not sure why you’re gaining weight, don’t worry. We’ll go through whether gabapentin causes weight gain, why, and how you can manage your weight while taking gabapentin.

Understanding Gabapentin and Weight Gain

Gabapentin is a nerve medication commonly prescribed to treat epilepsy. It is also taken for nerve pain caused by conditions like shingles or diabetes and to relieve neuralgia and moderate to severe primary restless legs syndrome.

It works by acting on neurons to reduce abnormal electrical activity in the brain for seizures or block pain messages for nerve pain.

Common brand names of gabapentin include Horizant®, Gralise®, and Neurontin®.

Does gabapentin cause weight gain?

The research is mixed on whether gabapentin causes weight gain. Most nerve medications typically are not associated with weight gain. However:

• One study found gabapentin was associated with a weight gain of 2.2 kg after 1.5 months of use
• In another small study, almost half of the participants gained at least 5% of their baseline weight

Why does gabapentin cause weight gain?

There are several possible explanations for gabapentin weight gain:

1. Fatigue: The most common side effect, which can lead to less activity and more eating.
2. Increased hunger: The medication can make you feel hungrier than usual, which can make it difficult to avoid gaining weight.
3. Fluid retention: Up to 8% of patients experience swelling. To combat this, avoid standing for long periods and consider sitting with your feet elevated.

If you are experiencing weight gain on gabapentin and aren’t sure what to do, be sure to talk to your doctor first. It’s important to follow your doctor’s guidelines, and you should consult your doctor before stopping the medication. Suddenly stopping gabapentin can increase your risk of seizures or other symptoms.

How to combat gabapentin weight gain

If you find yourself suddenly gaining weight while taking gabapentin, there are steps you can take to minimize or even reverse the effects.

Control your portions

Start by ensuring you are eating the right amount at each meal. Each meal should include a portion of fruits and vegetables, protein, and whole grains or starchy carbohydrates. This could look like:

• Greek yogurt with fresh berries and homemade granola
• Eggs with greens and a piece of sourdough toast
• A piece of cooked meat or fish with roasted vegetables and a portion of rice
• Protein-rich soup like chicken noodle soup or lentil soup
• Smoothie with protein powder
• Egg or tuna salad made with Greek yogurt served with toast or crackers with a side of greens
• Curry with rice or naan
• Fish taco bowls

Follow this guide to build your plate each time.

Some portion guidelines per meal include:

• A palm-sized portion of protein
• A cupped hand’s worth of whole grains
• A handful of fruits and/or vegetables
• A thumb-sized portion of healthy fats

Eat a balanced diet

Are you one of those people who eats healthy during the week and “lets loose” on the weekend? Do you eat well for a few days and then swing back to bad habits?

If consistency is a challenge for you, consider tracking your habits. What triggers you to reach for candy or overeat? Is it stress? A particularly busy day? A certain feeling?

Monitoring your intake and habits can be a powerful way to assess patterns and find ways to create lasting change.

If you struggle to balance your diet, reach out to a qualified dietitian for help.

Avoid high-calorie foods

Candy, chips, ice cream, cookies, cakes, and other ultra-processed foods tend to be high in calories and low in nutritional value. While these foods might taste good, they often leave you wanting more due to their lack of fiber and micronutrients. Try to keep them to a minimum or eliminate them entirely.

Exercise regularly

Exercise is a vital partner to a healthy diet when it comes to weight management. Aim for the national recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Exercise can also help boost energy and improve your mood, both of which contribute to an overall well-rounded lifestyle.

Get enough sleep

Lack of sleep is clearly linked to weight gain. If you are having trouble sleeping, be sure to create a consistent nighttime routine. This means:

• Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day (including weekends)
• Winding down at least an hour before you go to sleep (no screens or physical activity)
• Sleeping in a cool and dark room
• Getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep

Seek professional guidance

If you’re having trouble with your weight while taking gabapentin and aren’t sure how to manage, a registered dietitian can help.

Your dietitian will examine your current food habits and lifestyle to find where improvements might be possible. They will then work with you to make small, sustainable adjustments to create lasting change.

If something comes up with your treatment plan, your dietitian can also work directly with your health care provider to ensure all your care is aligned.

You can easily find a qualified weight loss dietitian with Fay. All dietitians working with Fay accept health insurance, making top-quality care much more accessible and affordable. Simply enter your insurance information and filter the search results to find dietitians near you. All RDs work both online and in person.

Get started with Fay today.

Manage gabapentin weight gain with a dietitian

Working with a registered dietitian is one of the most effective ways to manage your weight and find sustainable solutions.

Connecting with a qualified nutrition provider has never been easier than with Fay. With just a few clicks, you can set up an initial consultation with a dietitian covered by your health insurance and pay as little as $0 per session.

Find a trusted weight loss dietitian now.

The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.