Long‐Term Medication‐Induced Weight Change Across Common Antiseizure Medications: A Target Trial Emulation Study
Authors' conclusion
Topiramate was associated with weight loss at 6 and 12 months under either initiation and subsequent adherence or initiation-only effects; other medications were associated with higher weight change. These results provided important information to help with decision-making regarding ASM initiation.
Study context
- Population
- Adults initiating antiseizure medications (ASMs)
- Participants
- 52,309 adults
- Comparison
- Common ASMs vs topiramate
- Outcome
- Weight change after initiation and adherence to ASMs
- Follow-up
- 6 and 12 months post initiation
Methodological detailscontrols time-varying confounding and selection bias
- Controls time-varying confounding and selection bias
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
6 months
Each group vs topiramateDifference, kg (95% CI)
Levetiracetam
0.94(0.20–1.64)
Lamotrigine
1.44(0.74–1.99)
Valproate
2.42(1.71–2.88)
Carbamazepine
1.32(0.46–2.16)
Oxcarbazepine
1.74(0.85–2.71)
Further findings
Weight change at 12 months and in sensitivity and subgroup analyses
- Similar results at 12 months and in sensitivity and subgroup analyses
Weight change accounting for medication initiation only
- Results similar though attenuated
Original publication
Long‐Term Medication‐Induced Weight Change Across Common Antiseizure Medications: A Target Trial Emulation Study. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 5 October 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →