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Published Online, 1 March 2005, www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1E393.
 The Annals of Pharmacotherapy: Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 637-642. DOI 10.1345/aph.1E393
© 2005 Harvey Whitney Books Company.
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OBESITY

Medication Use Patterns After Gastric Bypass Surgery for Weight Management

Margaret Malone, PhD FCCP

Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany, NY

Sharon A Alger-Mayer, MD

Associate Professor, Division of Clinical Nutrition, Albany Medical College, Albany

Reprints: Dr. Malone, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy, 106 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208-3492, fax 518/445-7302, malonem{at}acp.edu

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery, commonly gastric bypass, is an effective intervention in achieving sustained weight loss in patients with a body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m2. Currently, there are few data in the literature describing medication use after bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To document the change in medication use patterns over a 2-year period in patients who had gastric bypass surgery.

METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained for this ongoing, prospective longitudinal study. Adults (>18 y) scheduled for gastric bypass surgery were recruited. Clinical and demographic data, including age, gender, weight, height, BMI, number of obesity-related comorbidities, and number of medications and nutritional supplements, were obtained by medical chart review.

RESULTS: One hundred fourteen patients (87 females) were recruited. The mean ± SD age was 45 ± 9 years. Patients had multiple obesity-related comorbid diseases for which they were receiving medication. Drug therapy for diabetes and hypertension was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). All patients were required to take additional nutritional supplements and medications associated with surgery postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery has a positive benefit in terms of reduction intake of medication associated with obesity-related comorbid disease. However, there is limited reduction in the overall number of drugs and supplements being consumed by the patient, especially during the first year postoperatively.

Key Words: gastric bypass, medication use, obesity

Published Online, March 1, 2005. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1E393




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