Pregabalin and weight gain
Pregabalin and weight gain
Research to investigate the mechanism of this increase in body weight suggests that pregabalin inhibits dopaminergic function in the LH, which might increase food intake.
- Pregabalin significantly increased food intake, whereas pregabalin did not affect blood glucose levels.
- These results indicate that pregabalin stimulates feeding behaviour, but not glucose metabolism.
- Pregabalin increases food intake through the inhibition of dopaminergic functions in the LH.
- Pregabalin is known to bind α2δ sub-unit of voltage-dependent calcium channel and to inhibit the function of calcium channel.
- It is possible that pregabalin affects energy balance by modulating the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.
- The hypothalamus is well known as the center of energy homeostasis.
- The hypothalamus senses the change in blood glucose levels and regulates blood glucose levels by modulating peripheral functions such as glucose metabolism and production in the liver and the release of insulin from the pancreas through autonomic efferent nerves.
- In addition, the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus are known as the hunger center and satiety center, respectively
- More recently, it has been reported that the hypothalamus contains many kinds of neuropeptides that regulate feeding behaviour.
- Thus, the hypothalamus plays a central role in the regulation of feeding behaviour.
- It is reported that dopaminergic functions in the hypothalamus are involved in the regulation of feeding behaviour.
- Dopaminergic function in the LH is stimulated by food intake through dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, which stops feeding behaviour.
Since pregabalin is reported to inhibit neurotransmitter release by acting on α2δ sub-unit of voltage-dependent calcium channels, it is hypothesized that pregabalin increases food intake by the inhibition of dopamine neurons in the LH, which causes an increase in body weight.
- Elevated serum creatinine level is identified as a predictive factor for weight gain with Pregabalin.
>Pregabalin is eliminated primarily unchanged by renal excretion ; therefore, accumulation of pregabalin due to delayed elimination through the kidney may cause weight gain.
Weight gain due to pregabalin may be dose related.