Lodine and Weight Gain

Some people may develop side effects while taking Lodine, and weight gain can indicate a serious problem if it is rapid and occurs with a cough or swelling in the legs. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if this happens -- it may be a sign of congestive heart failure. If you are taking Lodine and weight gain is gradual, try getting more exercise and limiting your alcohol intake.

 

Lodine and Weight Gain: An Overview

Several problems have been reported in people taking Lodine® (etodolac). Gradual weight gain, however, is only reported rarely. In previous clinical studies, weight gain occurred in less than 1 percent of people taking the drug. Given how uncommon this side effect is, it is difficult to say whether the weight gain is actually caused by the medication, other factors, or a combination of both.
 

Understanding Clinical Trials

Before medicines are approved, they must go through several clinical studies, where thousands of people are given a particular medicine and then compared to a group of people not given the medicine. In these studies, side effects are always documented. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they occur, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine. Side effects are then usually separated into those that occurred in more than 1 percent of people (common side effects) and those that occurred in less than 1 percent of people (rare side effects).
 
As mentioned, weight gain was seen in less than 1 percent of people given Lodine. It also occurred just as often in the group of people not taking Lodine. This is why it is not possible to say whether the medication, other factors, or a combination of both played a role in this gradual weight gain.
 

Lodine and Rapid Weight Gain

One important point to keep in mind related to Lodine and weight gain is that all NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including Lodine, may cause congestive heart failure. One of the main symptoms of congestive heart failure is unexplained weight gain. In fact, this can occur over just a couple of days. This weight gain is often combined with other symptoms, such as a cough and swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs. Thus, if you are taking Lodine, contact your healthcare provider if you notice unexplained weight gain or swelling.
 
(Lodine and Weight Gain Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;