Long‐term Weight Control Study VI

We analyzed the individual response patterns of all 121 participants who entered the study. Fifty‐one participants completed up to week 190. In 26 completers, the response pattern consisted of an initial beneficial effect (≥6 months of weight loss ≥10% from baseline) and later success (weight loss of ≥10% from baseline at week 160). These successful participants had lost 14.1 ± 1.0 kg (mean ± SEM); 15.9% ± 0.9% of initial weight) at week 160 and 8.1 ± 1.2 kg (9.1% ± 1.3% of initial weight) at week 190. A second pattern observed in 16 completers consisted of initial benefit and later partial success (loss of 0.1% to 9.9% at week 160). Other response patterns observed in completers included showing initial benefit only ( n = 3) and no success ( n = 6). Seventy of the 121 participants left: the study before week 190. There were 22 “dropout successes” who had consistent weight loss for 1 year or more and were ≥10% below their initial weights at time of dropout. Fifteen “dropouts with initial benefit” stayed in the study for ≥1 year with initial benefit (weight loss ≥10% from baseline maintained for ≥6 months). Medication‐related reasons accounted for only 10 of the 37 dropouts in the group with initial or later benefit. Minimal benefit was seen in 17 dropouts. Another 16 were in the study less than 1 year. Analysis of individual participant responses made some other generalizations possible. Participants receiving continuous medication lost more weight and had fewer adverse effects than those receiving targeted intermittent medication. Upward dose adjustment appeared to help 24 participants achieve the criteria for late or partial success. Analyses of individual participant responses can suggest ways to optimize anorectic medication use for individual patients. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1992) 51 , 619–633; doi: 10.1038/clpt.1992.74