Topiramate and weight loss in patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize weight changes in patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities who received topiramate.


METHODS
Retrospective, observational study.


METHODS
State-supported developmental center.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities who received topiramate therapy


RESULTS
Monthly weights for 1 year after the start of topiramate therapy were recorded. Mean body weight at drug initiation differed significantly compared with the nadir weight during the next 12 months (52.2+/-7.5 vs 49.9+/-7.2 kg, p<0.02). Twelve patients who were receiving ad libitum oral diets demonstrated a significant decrease in body weight (52.1+/-7.5 vs 49.0+/-7.3 kg, p<0.01), whereas the three patients who received enteral nutrition through enterostomy did not experience significant weight loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Weight loss is common in patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities who receive topiramate. Since patients who received oral diets lost weight whereas those receiving enteral nutrition did not, decreased nutrient intake is the likely cause of weight loss.
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis 38163, USA. rbrown@utmem.edu
Rex O
RO
Brown
Carla D
CD
Orr
Debra L
DL
Hanna
John E
JE
Williams
Roland N
RN
Dickerson
D000328:Adult; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D000077236:Topiramate; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose