What Causes Weight Gain In Lyrica (Page 2) (Top voted first)

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.

REPLY

REPORT

I was put on a low dose of Lyrica (25mg once/day for the first week and then twice/day thereafter) to see if it would help my sever lower back pain, neck pain, and entire body joint pain and severe foot pain. It immediately improved the burning pain in my lower back and improved my foot pain to the point that I can readily walk again. I read a lot of online info about people gaining weight. Lyrica has had the opposite effect on me. Within a week my appetite dropped considerably. I still get hungry but my cravings have all gone away and I only seem to feel the need for food twice a day. My weight has started to decrease as well slowly but steadily. I was very concerned before I started taking it because I feel that additional weight will only make all of my pain symptoms worse. But after dealing with the pain for years, and then getting results from Lyrica after the first dose I remained on the med and prepared to manage the weight gain. According to the internet forums regarding Lyrica, it doesn't sound like my experience is common. But it may be because people only tend to go onto the internet when they are experiencing a problem. Maybe my experience with Lyrica seems uncommon because people with positive experiences don't get online to write about their experience.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 6

But I do take Adderal to counteract the weight gain, and it works!

#1: Would like to see the studies that document that "stimulants cause further damage to CNS/nerve damage?" I cannot find any on the web. If so why is Adderal the go to drug for ADD? Will the kids/adults taking it get Central Nervous System damage?

#2: Who is the "Who"that doesn't know why lyrical causes weight gain? Can you suggest where any studies by "Who" can be found that "Who" has even tried to address weight and lyrics? And Is it your place to accuse people who are trying to find support, express their feelings and share their experiences as attacking the pharma community?

#3: If you search lyrica + generic you will find documentation that the Pharma community was successful in preventing a generic version from being sold until December 2016.

Just the facts please.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

I am having the same issue with Lyrica as far as having the fat in the belly area and it does make me look pregnant. It DOES slow down to crawling in the metabolism. I've been on Lyrica since 2007 for Fibromyalgia. I would get "Breakthrough pain" so my dosage had to go up. I started the Lyrica at 75mg 2x/day. Now, I'm up to 225mg 2x/day. I have gained 60lbs!! I've tried my "Tried and True" way of losing weight by doing the "Scarsdale Diet", which was quite successful for me in the past. Didn't work this time. But now I have to lose weight to get a total knee replacement. I'm trying the low-carb, high protein with the help of a dear friend. NOTHING'S coming off and I've been diligent. I tried cutting back on the Lyrica, to taking it once a day. Within 3 days, the pain came roaring back.
I wish Pfizer could take out the "weight gaining" chemical, but it still stops pain.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

I agree - Lyrica made me pick up 30kg in 6 months and I never ate more or was more hungry on it!

I too have picked up from the ribs to the hips and I have been off Lyrica for 3 years now and I still cant loose it, infact I feel like I am still gaining as my close are tigh again.

I have tired EVERYTHING from vegterian diest, protein, doctors, nutritionist etc - and still to no avail. I have never carried weight like this and being 5ft 4' doesnt look got when you weigh 95kg.

I am depressed and embarrassed and really need a solution, as the doctors just srug their shoulders and say - pain or gain??

I was on ot for Fibromyalgia to the point I could hardly move and suffered all the systems mentioned above - I stopped cold turkey and it was hell, but I was not prepared to live the fat ..... the pain is bad, but pain and depression because of the fat, leads to more pain.

Can some one tell me how to loose the weight when no longer on Lyrica?

Thanks Tammy

What can be taken

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

Hi, i was on lyrica last year. I was taking 300mg twice a day i gained so much weight my clothes got really tight, and at my childrens school, lots of ppl came up to me and asked if i was pregnant :( which made me even more depressed. I havent changed my diet i only eat once a day, and have done for a few years. I was not hungry while taking lyrica before or while i took it. But i still gained 10 kg. all around my belly, bum and hips and the top of my legs. I stopped it in feb this year, and started topamax and that didnt work either. I was in a car accident and had spinal surgery. There is definetely something in lyrica that makes you fat. I never put on weight like this before. Even after having my children i lost the weight straight away. I would never of started it, if i knew how much weight i would put on. Hope this helps.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

I feel for all of you. I had a horrible time getting off Lyrica...had massive withdrawal so I had to taper over nearly a year to get off it...150 mg a day to start, got down to splitting one 50mg over five days at the end. Good news is that the weight comes off after you stop taking the drug.

I believe that there will be litigation involving this drug very soon. The side effects are terrible. I wrote my method for tapering on another site... you can Google "Lyrica Withdrawal Syndrome". Good luck to you guys. I wouldn't take another Lyrica for any amount of money.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Really - then how do u explain the fact that I stopped taking ur over 3.5 years ago and still haven't lost the weight that I put on literally over night. Before taking the Lyrics I NEVER had a mid section or spare tyre from under my breasts to the top on my pubice area, yet I have it now - infact after my 2 children I was the smaller than before I had them

I tend to agree with the other post and say it is VERY presumptuios of you as a lame person with no medical or bio chemical knowledge to put your view forward as fact.

You are are one of the very few lucky ones ...... Unfortunately the proof is in the pudding and not everyone on a ratio of 1:1000, with the high end being people with very real and unexplainable weight gain since taken Lyrics can be wring.

Until you do experience what we have and know how it feels and how frustrating it is to know u haven't changed anything that you did prior to taking it and you are blessed to be that 1 in the ratio - I propose you count your blessing and leave your unjustified, egotistical, self absorbed options to yourself!

Just one question ...... If u say Lyrica hasn't affected you adversely, then why are you even reading or following these sites???? Or do you just like to give an opinion where its really not needed or wanted because you can?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Your weight loss, assuming 2 pounds water loss, equates to about 500 calories per day which is what you would expect with you on a 1500 calorie per day diet. If you want to lose faster then cut to say 1200 calories per day, but no lower.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I have also gained about 40 lbs, mostly in the belly area, since starting Lyrica a year ago. And I had weight loss surgery six months before I started the Lyrica. I have a lap band and even if the Lyrica increased my appetite I wouldn't be able to eat more. There has to be something in the formula that slows down metabolism. I've tried going off the Lyrica but couldn't handle the withdrawal. I have small fiber neuropathy in feet, legs, and hands and possibly fibromyalgia (seeing rheumatologist soon). I've been on a couple of other drugs for the pain but have had bad reactions. I think I need to chance medications. I have an appointment to see my pain specialist next week 'cause I don't want to go back to the neurologist because he is a d1ck. I haven't been able to work for almost a year and he had the audacity to tell me that nobody gets SSDI for small fiber neuropathy. Really? My attorney sent him a nasty letter about that so he probably doesn't want to see me any more than I want to see him. Anyway the point of my post was really to say that I don't believe the weight gain from Lyrica is due to increased appetite.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Been on lyrica 4 years gained 50 pounds. Tried recently to get off pain was to bad. So I started with the wellbutrin and topmax. Still famished but the weight is coming off. Thanks for the input when I read ur post I was at the doctor the next day.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I have Type 2 Diabetes, Neuropathy and Fibromialga. For 10 years after diagnosis, all was going along great. I was taking Metformin, Wellbutrin and on rare occasions Naproxin. My blood sugars were very well controlled as was my pain. Pain is my main problem so when it began ramping up, I was prescribed a very low dose of Gabapentin. I began to gain weight shortly afterwards. My Dr. suggested I try Cymbalta in it's place. It did nothing to ease pain, made me lathargic, moody, and foggy in my thinking. My Dr. told me to just stop taking it. Wrong advice!! Nightmares, trembling, dry heaves, nausea, excesssive sweating - horrible withdrawal symptoms after only having been on a small dosage over 6 wks. Back to the Dr. To advise of this. Puts me on Lyrica now and after specically asking for something with no weight gain attached, here I am on a drug with weight gain as a common side effect and sure enough the pounds continue to pack on. After 10 years of never gaining or losing a pound, all of a sudden I have packed on 30 pounds in two months. Nice. Seriously, I would rather be in pain than to pack around this extra weight...and gaining! As someone who has had a weight problem for most of my 61 years, I DO NOT intend on becoming fat and depressed about it again for the rest of my life. Bring the pain if it loses me this fat!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I agree. I am not hungier. I was shocked when I gained 8 lbs in the first couple of weeks. By watching my diet and exercising I managed to lose 5 but that has done nothing to reduce the huge stomach I now have, I can not fit I to any of my clothes.
I am on Cymbalta and Lyrica and struggle everyday weighing between the reduction in pain but knowing I am on strong mind drugs that have ruined my shape and possibility my health long term.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I would get off Lyrica as soon as possible. I was on it for three years for treatment for my fibro myalgia that I got when a drunk driver hit me back in 2007. I went from 120 lbs to over 165 lbs, lost most of my teeth, had and still have memory loss, changed my moods, thoughts, behavior, tried to commit suicide and has ruined my relationship with my daughters. In Business week magazine issue of August 2012, I can't remember if it was 2012 or 2013 ran an article about the FDA suing and winning the suit against Pfizer with regards to Lyrica. Now a legal suit has been started in Canada, where I reside, against Lyrica. You can access at rotlaw.com, for more details. I hope this is helpful. But please get off this terrible drug right away. There is alternate drugs available but I found out the hard way that some Doctors prescribe drugs that they get the biggest kickback from their drug reps. In my case I should not have been perscribed this drug especially because I was on a cocktail of other medications for other problems caused by the accident. If it wasn't for my pharmacist I wouldn't be alive today!!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

You need to immediately cut down your food intake to 1200 calories per day (5,000 kilojoules). You should be able to lose one pound per week. It will be a long haul but worth it. I find lyrica excellent for my post hepatic neuralgia so had to find a solution. I put on 9 pounds in the first week of taking 450mg lyrica, but have now taken the weight gain off by careful dieting.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I can't offer a solution, but I can say that I could be your twin in what has happened to me. Reading your post gives me some comfort. I have severe pain that Lyrica does help so I don't want to not take it. I don't take any narcotics. What I can do is work hard on my depression because of my appearance. I am still the same beautiful person inside and I have found some pretty clothes. I will work hard on holding my head up and getting out more now.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I also have gained a significant amount of weight mostly in the belly. After talking with my family dr and doing a little research on lyrica I have found that it makes your metabolism crash. It basically tells your body to take the fat and unnecessary nutrients from what you eat rather than just what your body needs. If it wasn't the only thing that worked for my nerve pain I would drop it in a second but unfortunately nothing else helps with ny nerve pain. As much as I hate the extra weight I had to weigh the pros and cons for myself and decided less pain was the best choice for me.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Wow, what a God send this thread is. I've been on Lyrica for 5 yrs.A motorcycle accident damaged the nerves in my left leg. At first I got really dopey but that passed. I didn't really notice any significant weight gain. Then 2 yrs ago I caught a really bad lung infection and was hospitalized for 11 days, I lost 23 pounds almost overnight. When I got better and the weight started to come back, it went to my normal of 175 and just kept on going. I've 200 now and starving myself to stay there. I ran out of Lyrica for only 3 days (ouch) and lost almost 5 lbs. Now I know why. I'm going to try to get off of it completely.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

What is your background? Do you have a medical background to base your opinions on? I haven't gained weight because I have exercised and watch what I eat but I am not a rep from the pharmacy company nor am I a doctor so I don't think I am qualified to weigh in on this issue. I wonder it you are?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I JUST STARTED LYRICA 50 MG 3 X DAY FOR FIBROMAYALGIA. I HAVE GAINED 4 POUNDS IN ONE MONTH. I EAT MORE THAN BEFORE. I CAN'T FIT IN ANY OF MY OLD JEANS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THIN AND FIT SO ALL THIS WEIGHT IS MAKING ME DEPRESSED ON TOP OF THE DEPRESSION I ALREADY HAD BECAUSE OF THE FIBROMYALGIA. I NOTICED PAIN RELIEF WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK. SO I KNOW IT IS HELPING. BUT, WILL THE WEIGHT GAIN STOP. I CAN'T GAIN 4 POUNDS A MONTH. I AM 5'5 AND ALREADY WEIGH 132 POUNDS.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Wth are people to do ? The MF****** fda passes anything these days due to being thrown into a sea of paperwork and minimal funds. Not to mention drug companies have them in their pockets !! They falsifie their findings .(everyone does it !) So yes... We will use other drugs to curb more pain from weight gain ! Were stuck on their ride while the pharma community sits back and judges us from behind the counter!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4 REPLIES