Atomoxetine for weight reduction in obese women: a preliminary randomised controlled trial
Abstract
Background and objective Atomoxetine is a potent central norepinephrine uptake inhibitor, currently marketed for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). With the understanding that noradrenergic agents could be useful in assisting obese individuals to lose weight, we conducted this preliminary study to evaluate short-term efficacy and safety of atomoxetine in obese adults.Design At 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, conducted at Duke University Medical Centre, USA, from May 2004 to December 2004.Participants A total of 30 obese women (mean (s.e.) body mass index of 36.1 (0.6) kg/m2).Interventions Participants were randomly assigned to receive atomoxetine (n=15) or placebo (n=15). All participants were advised to follow a balanced hypocaloric diet (500 kcal/day deficit). Atomoxetine therapy was started at 25 mg/day orally, with gradual increase to 100 mg/day over 1 week. Placebo dosing was identical.Measurements Body weight in kilograms was the primary outcome measure. Other measurements included waist circumference, blood pressure and heart rate, fasting plasma glucose and lipids, and depressive symptoms.Results Last-observation-carried-forward analysis of the available data for participants who had completed at least one post-randomisation assessment, demonstrated that the atomoxetine group (n=12) lost more body weight over the 12-week period than the placebo (n=14) group (mean (s.e.) -3.6 (1.0) kg (-3.7% loss) vs 0.1 (0.4) kg (0.2% gain); F (4,96)=11.9; P<0.0001). Three participants in the atomoxetine group and none in the placebo group lost >or=5% weight. Side effects were minimal.Conclusion Atomoxetine demonstrated modest short-term weight loss efficacy relative to placebo in this preliminary study of obese women.
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These two parts of the same study are probably not yet sufficient evidence for ruling out growth problems as an adverse effect of atomoxetine, and there is one study describing the medication as an effective adjunct to weight loss in obese women.
“These two parts of the same study are probably not yet sufficient evidence for ruling out growth problems as an adverse effect of atomoxetine, and indeed there is one study describing the medication as an effective adjunct to weight loss in obese women [45]”
From European guidelines on managing adverse effects of medication for ADHD (2011) · cites this paper as [45]
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“These two parts of the same study are probably not yet sufficient evidence for ruling out growth problems as an adverse effect of atomoxetine, and indeed there is one study describing the medication as an effective adjunct to weight loss in obese women [45] (with similar studies examining similar outcomes for stimulan…”
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Background
- Authors
- Gadde, K. M., Yonish, G. M., Wagner, H. R., Foust, M. S., & Allison, D. B.
- Affiliations
- Duke University (US)
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
- Corresponding author
- Gadde, K M
- Venue
- International Journal of Obesity
- Published
- 2006-01-17
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1138-1142
- ISSN
- 0307-0565 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5497
- OpenAlex
- W1985702287
- Cited by
- 56
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 3.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- International Journal of Obesity (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Keywords
- atomoxetine, obesity, weight loss, noradrenergic agents, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, women, hypocaloric diet, body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, fasting blood glucose, depressive symptoms, drug safety
- MeSH terms
- Atomoxetine Hydrochloride, Adolescent, Adult, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Obesity, Propylamines, Weight Loss, Body Mass Index, Treatment Outcome, Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors, Anti-Obesity Agents
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