A Review of the Toxicologic Implications of Obesity

J Med Toxicol. 2015 Sep;11(3):342-54. doi: 10.1007/s13181-015-0488-6.

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of obesity in developed nations has far-reaching implications for medical toxicology. The management of obese patients is complicated by comorbid illnesses, changes in cardiovascular and respiratory physiology, alterations in pharmacokinetics, and a lack of studies to identify appropriate dosing for current therapeutics and antidotes. In this review article, we examine obesity-associated physiologic and pharmacokinetic changes that may increase the vulnerability of obese patients to overdose. Further research is needed to characterize the relationship between drug toxicity and obesity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Absorption, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Antidotes / therapeutic use
  • Biotransformation
  • Drug Overdose
  • Humans
  • Obesity / diagnosis
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • Pharmacokinetics*
  • Poisoning / diagnosis
  • Poisoning / drug therapy
  • Poisoning / epidemiology
  • Poisoning / metabolism*
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antidotes