Does Gabapentin Cause Weight Gain? Know Your Answer Here
Are you questioning people, does gabapentin cause weight gain? You do not need to worry anymore. You will get all your answers in this article. The medication does have other severe side effects apart from weight gain.
You might experience involuntary eye movements, muscle or balance, extreme weakness, confusion, and a bluish tint on your toes, fingers, lips, and others. Please consult the doctor when symptoms like these are observed so that it is treated fast.
The medication is usually taken 3 times a day with or without food. The common side effects are dizziness, sleepiness, and tiredness; however, most people do not experience any side effects.
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Does Gabapentin Cause Weight Gain? Know Your Answer Here!
The medication gabapentin is FDA-approved for treating different conditions and is not interchangeable. The medications can be severe, creating life-threatening breathing problems and side effects.
It is severe in case you already have breathing problems. Gabapentin is manufactured in 300 and 600-milligram tablets by Gralise, while Neurontin, or generic gabapentin, is in 600 and 800-milligram tablet form. For oral solution, the 50 mg per mL of gabapentin contains 250 milligrams.
The capsule medication is available in 100, 300, and 400-milligram gelatin capsules. The extended-release tablets are another form of gabapentin enacarbil of 300 and 600 milligrams.
Based on the side effects of the medicine, be careful of activities such as driving or workout when prescribed with this medication.
What Is Gabapentin?
The prescription-based medicine, gabapentin, is also known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog. The class of medicine in which Gabapentin is included is called anticonvulsants. The medication is effective in controlling the excitement that happens in the brain during an epileptic seizure.
The nerve cells (neurons) are impacted during seizures as they get transmitted pain signals from the body. The medication helps calm down the neurons and allows the body to process the pain differently. You can avail of the medicines of Gralise, Neurontin, and Horizant brands.
Gralise and Horizant medication should be taken with the evening meal or with food, so if you are consuming a tablet, you can swallow the whole tablet with water. Do not crush, break or chew the tablet.
When consuming gabapentin in liquid form, always measure it in the measuring cup that comes with the product. It is not safe to drink more than what is prescribed. Do not take the medication in any form if you have taken any antacid containing aluminum or magnesium within two hours.
Why Is Gabapentin Prescribed?
Gabapentin comes in three forms: oral solution, tablets, and capsules, and is prescribed to people with epilepsy. Other conditions for which this medication is prescribed are postherpetic neuralgia, including stabbing pains or aches and burning sensations over months.
The medication is used for adults and children who suffer from seizures and partial seizures. For children, the medication is only prescribed once they are over 3.
Gabapentin is also prescribed for those who develop Shingles, primarily an after-effect of Chickenpox. The rash is painful and develops after many years of you getting Chickenpox. It is generated from the virus that also causes Chickenpox.
The virus stays dormant in a specific portion of the spinal nerve root called the dorsal root ganglion. The virus is sometimes reactivated due to stress-causing shingles, which can be treated with this medication.
Restless legs syndrome is another condition treated with gabapentin products by Gralise and Neurontin. When consuming the medicine, the question remains, does gabapentin cause weight gain and bloating?
Does Gabapentin Cause Weight Gain?
Want to know, does gabapentin cause weight gain? There is a high probability of weight gain by gabapentin though it is not the most common side effect of the medication. According to form, an individual can gain up to 5 pounds in a month and a half after they consume gabapentin.
Everyone who consumes gabapentin does not gain weight, but there is a high risk of it. Based on the evaluation of a study to evaluate weight gain from the consumption of gabapentin, gabapentin side effects weight gain is one of the outcomes.
Half of the participants who have been consuming the medication for over 6 months have gained above 5% of their baseline body weight, while the other half have gained 10%. The exact reason for weight gain has not yet been identified, but the medicine does induce fatigue.
It is the fatigue that makes the body inactive, which might lead to weight gain. Swelling is another symptom of this medication that contributes to weight gain. Some reports do claim that gabapentin increases the appetite leading to weight gain. However, actual evidence still needs to be provided.
What Are The Other Side Effects Of Gabapentin?
Apart from gabapentin weight gain, there are other side effects of gabapentin, such as headache, dizziness, vomiting and nausea, memory loss, difficulty in speaking, and others.
Specific side effects are severe and can negatively impact an individual prescribed this medication. Are you trying to find out, does gabapentin make you sleepy? Keep reading.
Change In Behavior Or Mood
The medication can impact the individual’s mood, where they might get suicidal thoughts or think about suicide attempts, depression, irritability, agitation, restlessness, and anxiety.
If you use this medicine, you might also experience panic attacks, impulsive behavior, inability to focus, extreme activity such as talking, etc.
Signs Of Kidney Problems
You might experience problems such as swelling of feet and legs due to the retention of liquid, blood in urine, change in the urine passing, or experiencing pain when urinating if the medication is taken.
Signs Of Liver Problems
The medication also causes problems when consumed, such as yellowing the white of the eyes or skin. The urine can be of dark color. Your stools can be of light color, while you might see that there is unusual bruising or bleeding. You might vomit too with this medication as a side effect.
Signs Of An Allergic Reaction
Allergic reactions such as hives, blistering skin, peeling skin, skin rash, and itching are other side effects of gabapentin. There might also be swelling or wheezing of the face, eyes, tongue, mouth, lips, and throat. With the consumption of the medication, you might face issues with swallowing or breathing.
When faced with any of these side effects, you must inform your provider of the symptoms. It will help you deal with the issues faster while the provider can suggest ways to get relief.
Conclusion
Please read the article to get the answer to the question, does gabapentin cause weight gain. You will also learn about the other side effects of the medication.
Comment below about any other medication that causes weight gain in your experience.
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