How Much Weight Loss Is Associated with Cholinesterase Inhibitors?

Allan S. Brett, MD reviewing Sheffrin M et al. J Am Geriatr Soc 2015 Aug.

The degree of weight loss is modest in most cases.

Weight loss is a reported side effect of cholinesterase inhibitors, which are prescribed for patients with dementia. Investigators used U.S. Veterans Affairs data to characterize the magnitude of this effect. Using propensity-score matching, they identified 1188 patients who initiated cholinesterase inhibitors (nearly all donepezil and galantamine) and 2189 control patients whose demographic characteristics, comorbidities, baseline weight, and stability of weight during the previous year were remarkably similar. Patients with heart failure or cancer were excluded.

During 1 year of follow-up, the proportion of patients who lost at least 10 pounds was significantly higher in the cholinesterase-inhibitor group than in the control group (29% vs. 23%). Overall, mean weight losses were 3.1 pounds and 2.5 pounds in the two groups, respectively (P=0.02).

Citation(s):

Sheffrin M et al. Weight loss associated with cholinesterase inhibitors in individuals with dementia in a national healthcare system. J Am Geriatr Soc 2015 Aug; 63:1512.