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OBESITY

Medication Associated with Weight Gain May Influence Outcome in a Weight Management Program

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

Drew A Anderson, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, State University of New York—Albany, 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: Weight gain is a commonly overlooked adverse effect of some medications that potentially confounds weight loss efforts in individuals who are overweight and obese.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of use of drugs associated with weight gain by participants and the effect on outcome in a weight management program.

METHODS: Adult patients >18 years of age were recruited from an outpatient, university-based setting to participate in a 20-week structured weight management program.

RESULTS: Ninety patients (74 women) were recruited (mean [± SD] age 48 ± 10 y, mean body mass index 37 ± 6 kg/m²). Patients had multiple diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 23), hypertension (n = 48), depression (n = 18), and dyslipidemia (n = 9). The median number of drugs per patient was 4.0 (range 0–15). The median number of drugs associated with weight gain was zero (range 0–3). Forty-three (48%) patients were taking at least one of these agents, including ß-blockers (n = 18), selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (n = 18), sulfonylureas (n = 7), insulin (n = 9), and thiazolidinediones (n = 6). Seven patients completed 6 weeks of the program and were excluded from further analysis, and 83 patients completed 10 weeks. Of these 83 patients, 39 had lost 2% of their initial weight; 23 (59%) of those 39 were taking drugs associated with weight gain. Fifty-nine patients completed the full 20 weeks. The mean overall weight loss of completers was 4.8 ± 5.0% (range–5.9 [gain] to 17.1% [loss]) at 20 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients taking WGDs weighed more at baseline and were less likely to lose weight in this program. Attention should be given when prescribing such medications to obese patients, as this may negatively influence their weight management.

Key Words: diabetes, obesity, weight gain drugs

Published Online, May 31, 2005. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1E434

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Malone, S. A Alger-Mayer, and D. A Anderson The Lifestyle Challenge Program: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Weight Management Ann. Pharmacother., December 1, 2005; 39(12): 2015 - 2019. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]