Medication associated with weight gain may influence outcome in a weight management program.
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 beta-blockers (n = 18), selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (n = 18), sulfonylureas (n = 7), insulin (n = 9), and thiazolidinediones (n = 6). Seven patients completed < or = 6 weeks of the program and were excluded from further analysis, and 83 patients completed 10 weeks. Of these 83 patients, 39 had lost < or = 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.
Malone
Margaret
M
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany, NY 12208-3492, USA. malonem@acp.edu
Alger-Mayer
Sharon A
SA
Anderson
Drew A
DA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy; D004032:Diet; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*