What Causes Weight Gain In Lyrica (Top voted first)

Updated

I HAVE GAINED 27 POUNDS IN 3 MONTHS. WHAT CAN I DO OTHER THAN STOP TAKING LYRICA? SHOULD I QUIT OR LOWER THE DOSAGE? I TAKE 2 DOSES PER DAY.

153 Replies (8 Pages)

Page:1Next PageLast Page
Earliest Newest Votes
2

I can relate to the weight gain with Lyrica. When I first tried it a few years ago, I gained 8lbs almost instantly. I know it is because it slows down your metabolism. I went off of it but went back on it in 2009. Here is the solution--take it along with a low dose of generic Wellbutrin--100mg two times a day. Wellbutrin is a NDRI (or antidepressant). 100mg two times a day is below the therapeutic range really to treat depression, but it counteracts the Lyrica side effects!! The drug is stimulating so it keeps your metabolism normal. You will not gain weight. I have not gained one pound in 2 yrs! I eat like a pig at times too. I think it is a miracle drug because it enables me to stay on the drug that I need for pain control.

Was this helpful? 65
11

I too have always been fit and never had a problem with weight until taking Lyrica. Unfortunately, it is the only thing that helps my nerve pain. My dosage was increased 5 months ago and I have gained 45 lbs- in 4-5 months!!! I can't even fit into my old maternity clothes. I tried stopping it, but no luck with the weight. It's strange because it is almost all in the belly, I seriously look pregnant. For me, I haven't noticed it increasing my appetite, I don't eat that much. I think it has a lot to do with altering metabolism. I am 35 yrs old, female, 5'10 and went from 145 to 185-190..I have 3 kids, my youngest is 3. I was always told that I had a high metabolism. Not anymore, just this past several months. It wouldn't be so bad if the weight didn't interfere with how I move and function, but the added weight is causing quite a bit of strain on my joints and because of that, I'm not nearly as active as usual. It's a lose-lose situation on this drug. I feel like I'm just going to explode, this weight gain has been so rapid.

Was this helpful? 43
8

I can totally agree I was injured in a M V A 7 yrs ago and was fine with the pain mangent for a while once prescribed the lyrics due to extensive nerve damage and burning pain through my leg I became drowsy. Now 9 months later I am up 50 lbs. I work out I diet it's stagnant and embarrassing I've never been overweight always fit. It's bad enough I have to deal with pain and the depression of what's happened to me and my life and now Im depressed over my appearance and as the sizes of clothes just keeps going up. I appreciate any and all advice of what to do. I can't live like this. I fell like Im living in someone else's body it doesn't feel like mine or look like mine. Please help!!!

Was this helpful? 31
20

@ Lorraine,

Wellbutrin has a stimulating effect on the CNS. It does not 'normalize' the metabolism. It simply stimulates your CNS thereby suppressing your appetite. You might as well say to someone that they should take adderall to counteract their Lyrica.

#1 - stimulants are known to further damage CNS/nerves which caused the NEED for Lyrica in the first place

#2 - they do not know why Lyrica increases appetite yet so please do not speak for the pharma community and PLEASE do not give medical advice at all.

Was this helpful? 46
5

I'm on Lyrica for spinal damage.If I take my Zoloft as directed, will it stop the weight gain?

Was this helpful? 30
12

Yuck...this is my story completely. I could have written it!!

Was this helpful? 21
3

would cymbalta work like the wellbrutin? it has a appettite depressant.Cannot take the wellbruitn had bad reaction..

Was this helpful? 33
10

I was prescribed this drug in 2011. Took it for 1 week and gained 5 lbs, plus making me depressed. Stopped taking for 2 years. Was in so much pain, I decided to try once more..I have gained 3 lbs in 2 days and have not changed eating habits, actually have eaten less because of knowing what the drug can do... I am so frustrated because it helps with the fibromyalgia pain but creates another problem with weight gain.. I am tall and for some reason at this stage of my life am struggling with weight gain because of hormones anyway. It is a vicious cycle and I don't know what to do except get off the drug again.. Stopped today!

Was this helpful? 15
19

I had the same problem. I would not be taking it. I was one of the first recipient of Lyrica back in 2007. Too many side effects. There was a case suit brought by the FDA in the states and they won. The problem with this drug is that all the clinical trials were done on epilepsy, what the drug was marketed and approved for. Unfortunately they because of the effects on the brain they then marketed for fibro myalgia without the extensive study on what happens when mixed with other drugs. Can cause weight gain, permanent memory loss, total change of thoughts and behavior, suicidal thoughts. ....the list goes on. This drug has fatally changed my life forever. Please get help in finding an alternative drug. They are out there.

Was this helpful? 15
7

I gained 40 pounds over two years of taking Lyrica. When I finally was able to get off the lyrica (a withdrawal horror story by the way) I thought the weight would come right off. I've always been able to lose weight when I needed to, so I wasn't concerned. I was totally wrong, that weight was glued on. After several months I went on Wellbutrin, and after a month of around 800 calories a day, have finally seen the weight start to come off. What a nightmare this drug is! My advice is to stay far, far away.

Was this helpful? 21
13

I have been taking Lyrica for 9 days and have gained 10 lbs. I feel terrible and am embarrassed and frustrated by yet another battle I'll have to fight. It has helped the pain a bit, but is definitely not worth the weight gain. Ugh... back to the drawing board.

Was this helpful? 14
16

Hello everyone. I just finish reading all the issues that people have been having with weight gain from this med. I just receive samples of 50mg I guess a low dose, now reading all what it does for your weight I'm not sure even if I want to start taking it.Tired of pain more at night and can't sleep because of neuropathy, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel and other issues. So I'm kind lost on which way to go. A couple years ago I took cymbalta did fine didn't notice if it made me gain weight or not at that time I was to depress to notice. So any suggestion out there? Should I be concern about the horrible weight gain. Too scared to try. I to struggle with my weight especially going through menopause on top of that.

Was this helpful? 14
28

I called Pfizer, who makes Lyrica, and told them that I was on 225mg 2x/day and still getting breakthrough pain. I asked if I could go higher. They absolutely DO NOT recommend it! They stated that if a physician prescribes any higher dose and something seriously wrong happens to that patient, there could be serious consequences for the prescribing physicion. For my questions re: weight gain, they transferred me to a woman in the Medicine and Drug Information, Josie, who gave the answers to my following questions:

1 - What is the chemical in Lyrica that causes weight gain?
2 - Is/Are the chemical(s) that cause the weight gain necessary in the pain-relieving properties of Lyrica?
3 - Is there a medicine to help counteract the weight-gaining properties?

Josie said that they do not know what it is in Lyrica that causes the weight gain. In their double-blind studies, they found that the patients that took Lyrica, started gaining weight, especially in the upper abdomen, where the patients that were given placebos, didn't. Pfizer also found that the longer Lyrica is taken AND the higher the dosages, the more the weight is gained, due to lower metabolism. (which of course is what I'm experiencing, as I've been on Lyrica since 2007.)

She said for my 3rd question, it was up to my PCP to prescribe something.

My physician has put me on Qsymia, which is the ONLY counter-acting thing that has worked against Lyrica, and I coupled that with a Low-Carb way of eating. (The low-carb thing by itself, barely worked.) Thank goodness for Qsymia! If taken AS DIRECTED, it can very well be your "saving grace" against the weight-gaining factors of Lyrica. Side note: I have been unable to do any exercise for 5+ yrs, due to Osteoarthritis in my joints, degenerative disk disease and Fibromyalgia. I had a total hip replacement 2 yrs ago and now am needing a total knee replacement, hence, the urgency to lose the weight.

I have gained over 60 lbs, since 2007, with Lyrica. Since I've been on Qsymia coupled with eating Low-Carb, I have lost 18 lbs since the middle of January. It's not going to be a fast weight loss, but the weight IS going down and I'm am so glad. If you're sedentary, you don't need lots of carbs. (I also am now eligible for a knee surgery.)

Hope that helps.

Was this helpful? 11
9

I've been on the "Lyrica is poison" bandwagon for a year at least. I wish I could give you the secret. Losing this weight has been crazy hard. I've been dieting (1500 cal a day at most, no fat) and running when I feel up to it (sometimes 4-5 days a week, sometimes 1-2) for seven weeks now and I've lost maybe 10 pounds. You may get lucky going off the drug and have no withdrawal symptoms, but they can be rough. If you go on the website Neurotalk I wrote a thread called "lyrica withdrawal syndrome" that tells all the stuff I used to help get off of it. Good luck...there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Was this helpful? 16
15

Hi beck,i take 75mg of lyrica 2 x a day and have gained 30 lbs since march.

Was this helpful? 9
14

I have been taking this medication [lyrica] for severe neuropathy in my legs and feet. I have gained 50 pounds over a period of 7 years. It is really frustration. I an visiting my neurologist and endocrinologist I am asking them about a product called R-Alpha Lipoic Acid. I am very scared to stop taking lyrica because the pain is so so severe that I can't even walk. I take 200mg 3-4 times a day. It's very bad when I even miss a dose, and can tell when it's getting close to taking a dose. And taking lyrica at this dose does not even completely stop the pain & Numbness, just makes it tollerable. :(

Was this helpful? 12
4

I started Lyrica and instantly gained 5lbs and I went off after reading posts about weight gain. I felt better than I have since I got sick on Lyrica and now I'm back not functioning. Thank you so much for this advice as to how to counteract the weight gain. I hope my Rheumy will prescribe it for me now!

Was this helpful? 10
17

Hi i read your post i was in a mva nearly 2years ago and had to have acdf of my c6 /c7 and about a year after the surgery and being on oxycontin and panadeine forte for the last year the nerve pain became to much. I have had 5 children one has left home but the youngest is 6 and he has global development delay and is still in nappies and has a sippy cup. But before taking lyrica i had a thin body size 8 in australia. But now i look pregnant the weight is only on my stomach hips and bottom. The added weight is hurting my hips my knees etc and i feel worse. I sont know what to do either:(

Was this helpful? 7
31

Im on lyrica and have gained 35-40 pounds back All my weight I lost previously...im doing the 1200 cal diet AND busting my butt at he gym 4
_ 5 days a week soo that doesn't work either

Was this helpful? 6
6

Your post gives me hope :) I take 300mg Effexor and 75mg 2x's daily Lyrica as a starting trial dose for spinal pain and Cauda Equina including nerve damage in my sacrum and legs. So I need this desperately and I just lost 30lbs, thank you to Topiramate and was very upset when I saw that a side effect to Lyrica was weight gain.

Was this helpful? 11
Page:1Next PageLast Page

More Discussions:

Weight gain from Lyrica?

My Dr. prescribed Lyrica for me. I don't want to take it. My best friend gained 40lbs. Has anyone else had weight ga...

7 REPLIES
Weight gain using lyrica for pain relief

Has anyone gained weight using lyrica as a back pain killer ## Hello, Mike! How are you? Lyrica is actually not a pain k...

5 REPLIES
lyrica weight gain does it stop

I have neuropathy due to collapsed C2-C6 leaving me with horrible pain. Finally went to a pain dr. He put me on lyrica a...

11 REPLIES
Lyrica weight gain

Does anyone know if you gain more weight as you increase the milligrams of Lyrica. I've gone from 150mg a day to 600...

4 REPLIES
Weight Gain While On Lyrica

I am on Lyrica for CIDP. I have gained a tremendous amount of weight. Exercise is difficult as I can't stand for lon...

3 REPLIES
Weight gain on these meds Lyrica vesicare cyplex .

I've got to take the above meds and I'm contemplating as they lead to weight gain. I've always been very act...

1 REPLY
linzess causes weight gain

I am the same. I have lost 85 lbs over the last 1 year. I have gastroparesis. After 120 days on linzess I am up 15 lbs. ...

9 REPLIES
Weight gain and swelling from Lyrica

I've had weight gain and swelling in my feet and hands since I've taken this drug. Is this common or a side effe...

3 REPLIES
Lyrica and weight gain

I have been taking lyrica for 7 weeks now for severe nerve pain. I began to gain a lot of weight immediately but because...

3 REPLIES
On Lyrica How to Stop Weight Gain?

I was put on Lyrica 75mg late last year now going on 150mg, for abdominal nerve pain following partial nephrectomy which...

4 REPLIES