CGRP Drugs and Weight Gain
Do CGRP injections cause weight gain? If so, what can I do about it?
This is a (somewhat belated) response to a question from Char in the United States. If you have a question, use the button on the right to fill in the form.
Char was specifically asking if there is a CGRP injection that doesn’t cause weight gain.
One of the concerns that doctors have had regarding the new CGRP medications is that they are – well, new! Of course, every medication has to be new at some point. But what that means is that long term testing is really only starting. (For some of the concerns expressed early on, check out At Stake: The Possible Long-Term Side Effects of CGRP Antagonists. Weight change is one of the questions that is highlighted.)
So at this moment in history, we are waiting for long term trials, and also watching carefully clinical experience – that means your experienced with the drugs.
Many people are being helped by the new medications, but there are reports of weight change – not just weight gain, but weight loss. The Robbins Headache Clinic reported on some of the early experiences they had with the CGRP medications. Here’s what they’ve written about weight changes:
Bloating & Weight Changes: weight gain can be a problem, and if significant enough we stop the medication. This does not appear to be as much a problem as with other medications such as Lyrica, Depakote, gabapentin and the tricyclic anti-depressants, but we are seeing it. This could be because our feeding and hunger is centered in the hypothalamus which is not protected by the blood-brain barrier. A few people have lost weight, and if it is significant then we stop the medication.
CGRP QUESTIONS/ANSWERS
So in short, they saw both weight gain and weight loss. However – and this is important – CGRP related medications don’t seem to be the worst offenders when it comes to weight gain.
The Pain News Network also reported on a survey of those using the new medications. According to the survey, 12% of patients reported some weight gain (see New Migraine Prevention Drugs Making Inroads).
We have to remember that these are not controlled studies. And so we come to a very important question – are these drugs directly causing weight gain?
Here’s a simple example. If you are constantly nauseous, and a CGRP injection significantly improves your health, what just might happen? You might eat more.
This is the argument that Drugs.com makes for Aimovig. “Does Aimovig cause weight gain or loss?” – no, but changing migraine symptoms may. You may think that their answer is a little overconfident, but the fact remains that there may very well be a complex set of reasons why you gain or lose weight on a CGRP drug.
So back to Char’s concern – what to do?
First, be sure you are communicating your concerns with your doctor. This is a case when customized medical help is very important. Your doctor can help you find the best solutions for you.
Second, and this will help your doctor, be sure to keep a detailed diary of your symptoms and any changes that you notice.
Third, try another CGRP medication. Unfortunately, we simply do not know enough at this point to give you a list of CGRP related medications that are least likely to cause weight gain for you. Like many classes of drugs, it can make a significant difference if you try another drug of the same class.
And, of course, as your symptoms (hopefully!) lessen, take the time to learn and re-learn some basic healthy habits.
We would love to hear your experiences and suggestions – leave a comment! 🙂
4 December 2020 @ 2:58 pm
wow that is really dismissive and insulting.
I’ve been on three different CGRP antagonists at this point. I started number 3- an infusion- a month and 4 days ago. I work out like crazy, I eat properly- veggies and healthy lean meats. I have had a full blood panel run which shows I’m super healthy! I’ve spoken to my Dr who discouraged me from restricting my caloric intake because of my workouts. AND YET, I’ve gained 30lbs in about a year and a half. Not an insignificant amount. And let me be clear: this is about the belly fat accumulating despite my best efforts around my mid section and less about the actual poundage since I do understand that muscle weighs more than fat.
What I appreciate hearing is ‘gosh we don’t know’ NOT, ‘why not learn some healthy habits’
That’s a real f you in the face of someone who’s already dealt with a chronic condition (and in my case manages to work around it)for a long period of time.
11 December 2020 @ 10:29 am
Hi Stephanie!
Thanks so much for this comment. It was certainly not my intention to come across that way. I wrote “of course” because I was assuming that we all already know that healthy habits can help. I wasn’t trying to be condescending by acting like someone had never thought of learning healthy habits for weight loss!
In fact, I’m very aware of what you’re saying – there are so many who have tried so many of the “normal” ways to lose weight, and nothing has worked. This is a very complex issue.
And so I very much appreciate you bringing it up again. We all need to be reminded that weight gain is not necessarily a result of a “lack of self control” or being a “couch potato”. We need to keep working together to be healthy (and yes, you can be healthy at a higher weight or a lower weight!) and to find good solutions.
8 January 2021 @ 12:36 pm
We all need to be reminded that weight gain is not necessarily a result of a “lack of self control” or being a “couch potato”. We need to keep working together to be healthy (and yes, you can be healthy at a higher weight or a lower weight!) and to find good solutions.
The inability to accept people at their weight regardless… you just insulted everyone not working as hard as you judge…
First, we don’t “all” need to be reminded… nor do we all “need” to keep working together.. let me give you a template for future correspondence with the words “we” should not be used.. writing an article and addressing a collective “we” is actually offensive to most people. While it’s doubtful that was your intent, you just managed to dig yourself a deeper hole. I believe what you meant to say is “ Data is unproven for weight gain or loss at this time, so maintaining vigilance if possible if weight gain or loss is a problem for you. “ otherwise you will sound like a misogynistic idiot with an axe to grind which loses all credibility.