Drugs

Neurontin and Weight Gain

Clinical studies suggest that Neurontin can cause weight gain in a small percentage of patients. If you notice a weight gain with Neurontin see your healthcare provider as they can suggest ways of dealing with this, such as making lifestyle changes.

What is Neurontin?

Gabapentin (brand name Neurontin) is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant. Neurontin is commonly used to relieve pain,in particular neuropathic pain. Gabapentin is best known under the brand name Neurontin manufactured by Pfizer subsidiary Parke-Davis. A Pfizer subsidiary named Greenstone markets generic gabapentin.

Neurontin is used alone or in combination with medications to treat seizures caused by epilepsy in adults and children who are at least 12 years old. Neurontin is also used with other medications to treat partial seizures in children who are 3 to 12 years old.

Neurontin can also be used to treat nerve pain caused by herpes virus or shingles.

Neurontin was originally approved in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1994 for use as an adjunctive medication to control partial seizures and has also been used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Neurontin has limited usefulness in the treatment of anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, in treatment-resistant depression, and for insomnia.

Side Effects of Neurontin:

Several side effects are possible when using Neurontin, and weight gain has been reported.

Neurontin's most common side effects in adult patients include dizziness, drowsiness, and peripheral edema (weight gain of extremities), there has been a some reports of weight gain with Neurontin.

Clinical studies suggest that Neurontin can cause weight gain in a small percentage of patients. If you notice a weight gain with Neurontin see your healthcare provider as they can suggest ways of dealing with this, such as making lifestyle changes.

Gabapentin should be used carefully in patients with renal impairment due to possible accumulation and toxicity.

If you have used Neurontin in the past, or are using it now, and have noticed you gained weight use our comment form below and tell us how Neurontin and weight gain effected you.

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