Drug-induced weight gain in the last 10 years: a descriptive study

Area of Science:

• Pharmacovigilance
• Adverse Drug Reactions
• Drug Safety

Background:

• Medication-induced weight gain presents challenges for patients and healthcare providers.
• Weight gain is a significant side effect of many widely prescribed medications.
• Understanding the scope of drug-induced weight gain is crucial for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze adverse event reports concerning drug-induced weight gain.
• To identify frequently implicated medications associated with weight gain over a ten-year period.
• To provide insights into the prevalence of this adverse drug reaction.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, descriptive analysis of data from the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
• Inclusion of reports submitted between 2012 and 2021.
• Identification and quantification of drugs most frequently associated with weight gain.

Main Results:

• A total of 137,370 reports related to drug-induced weight gain were submitted to FAERS.
• The most commonly reported drugs associated with weight gain included risperidone (11.55%), adalimumab (3.94%), and pregabalin (3.86%).
• Other significant drugs identified were aripiprazole (3.1%), etanercept (2.72%), and prednisone (2.70%).

Conclusions:

• Drug-induced weight gain is a prevalent side effect of medications commonly used for chronic conditions.
• Healthcare professionals should proactively inform patients about potential weight gain risks associated with their prescriptions.
• Enhanced pharmacovigilance and patient counseling are essential for managing this adverse event.