Taking Stock: Asking About Side Effects

Weight Gain

Weight gain or loss can occur in people with seizures just as it does in all people. However, problems associated with seizures or use of certain medication can sometimes make weight gain more likely.

If you have gained unwelcome pounds since being placed on an epilepsy drug, here are some questions you can ask your doctor:

• Is my weight gain being caused by my medication?
• Am I taking an inappropriate amount of medication? Or could I be taking it incorrectly?
• Could my medication's generic version eliminate this side effect?
• What should I avoid so this won’t happen?
• Should I increase my amount of exercise, or go on a specialized diet to help reverse this process? Or could this affect my medication?

Weight changes can be seen in certain hormonal disorders, as well as depression. Your health team can advise you on safe ways to achieve a more healthy weight.

Read about other possible side effects...