Table 2

Total defined daily doses prescribed during an 18-month observation period within BNF prescribing categories for patients who are obese and age- and sex-matched controls.

BNF codeBMI 18.5–<25 normal weight (n = 1150) Total DDDBMI ≥30 obese (n = 1150) Total DDDP-valueRatio of prescribing volume
2.12 Lipid regulators/fibratesa37375710.03420.3
6.1.2.2 Anti-diabetic/biguanides182921558<0.00111.8
2.5.5.1 Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors2153191224<0.0014.2
2.5.5 Drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system25717102732<0.0014.0
2.12 Lipid regulators1914670589<0.0013.7
2.12 Lipid regulators/statins1849062744<0.0013.4
2.5.5.2 Angiotensin-II receptor antagonists4186115080.0102.7
6.1.2.1 Antidiabetic/sulphonylureas757220413<0.0012.7
2.6.2 Calcium channel blockers2344356952<0.0012.4
2.4 β-adrenoceptor blocking drugs1860141738<0.0012.2
6.2 Thyroid6844131700.0251.9
1.3 Ulcer healing1745432017<0.0011.8
10.1.1 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories2405143063<0.0011.8
5.1 Antibacterial drugs44945488<0.0011.2
4.3.1 Tricyclics and related6195106480.0791.7
4.3 Antidepressant drugs29140321680.0821.1
4.6 Drugs used in nausea and vertigo137538870.1822.8
4.3.3 Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors20018182860.2390.9
3.4.1 Antihistamines504961930.2861.2
4.1.1 Hypnotics4710146080.3973.1
4.1.2 Anxiolytics179326230.4491.4
4.8 Anti-epileptics302434330.4831.1
1.2 Antispasmodics and other drugs altering gut mobility286325540.8790.9
4.9 Drugs used in Parkinsonism and related disordersa282739n/an/a
2.12 Lipid regulators/anion exchange resinsa283274n/an/a

  • ↵a Numbers of patients receiving drug type too small to allow reliable estimates. BNF = British National Formulary.