Related Experiment Videos
Medication associated with weight gain may influence outcome in a weight management program
Margaret Malone1, Sharon A Alger-Mayer, Drew A Anderson
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany, NY 12208-3492, USA. malonem@acp.edu
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|June 2, 2005
Summary
Medications causing weight gain were used by nearly half of participants in a weight management program. Those taking these drugs had higher baseline weight and were less successful in losing weight.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Weight gain is a common adverse effect of certain medications.
- This side effect can hinder weight loss efforts in overweight and obese individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the frequency of medication-associated weight gain (WGD) drug use in a weight management program.
- To determine the impact of WGD drugs on patient weight loss outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Adult patients (>18 years) were enrolled in a 20-week outpatient weight management program.
- Data collected included patient demographics, comorbidities, medication use, and weight changes over time.
Main Results:
- 48% of 90 participants took at least one WGD drug (e.g., beta-blockers, SSRIs, insulin).
- Patients on WGD drugs had higher baseline BMI and were less likely to achieve significant weight loss (23% vs. 41% lost <2% weight).
- Overall weight loss was 4.8% in completers, but those on WGD drugs had poorer outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Medications associated with weight gain are frequently used by patients in weight management programs.
- Prescribing WGD drugs to obese patients may impede weight management success and requires careful consideration.