seizure meds cause weight gain

[Suzu39]

Has anyone had a problem with a seizure medicine causing irreversible weight gain?  My daughter was a thin child, who took Tegretol for seizures, and gained a large amount of weight in a short time.  We stopped the medication, but the weight did not reduce.

[purpledragon4]

I too took Tegretol and gained weight (35 lbs in 3 wks). I thought I would never lose it but after my body became used to the drug, this took about 6 months, I was able to lose the weight quit quickly with an easy walking plan. It only took about about a month. In the end it was the only medication that would stop 4 of my 11 seizures so in my opinion --the wait was worth it.    Good Luck

[Suzu39]

Thanks for your input.  My daugther stopped the med but never lost weight, despite working with a nutritionist and fitness program through the local hospital.  

She now takes Zonegran, which totally controls her seizures.

I am glad you were able to find control on Tegretol.

God bless!

[halbashes]

I gained about twenty pounds on Trileptal, (a very similar drug), in just a month, and now I am also switching to Zonegran.  I'm still in the process of raising my dose, but thrilled that it's working well for your daughter!

[Suzu39]

Zonegran is awesome!  It really has worked great for my daugther with little to no side effects.  Initially, there was some problems with being a little sleepy during the morning, but that wore off.  It also did cause some appetite suppression in the morning, but that wore off too.

I hope you find the right dosage and it works well for you too.

Were you able to lose the weight you gained off of the Trileptal?
I am just afraid that since my daugther was a toddler when she gained the weight, that something got "triggered" that has not stopped.  She just cannot lose that weight she gained...  oh well.

[halbashes]

I haven't yet lost the weight I gained from Trileptal.  In fact, my weight hasn't much changed at all in the weeks since I've stopped taking it.  I would certainly like to loose the weight I gained while taking it though.  I sure hope to very soon.  It seems that many anti-epileptics cause weight gain, and other side effects.