bariatric patients
are at increased risk of nutrient deficiencies as evident from available
literature. These patients should receive adequate supplementation and
follow-up to ensure adherence and identification of underlying deficiency.
Malabsorption of medications due to surgical changes in the GI tract can be a
potential problem in this population. With the limited data available for
management of specific pharmacotherapies, it is imperative to assess the
efficacy of pharmacotherapy on an individual basis. Because the number of
patients receiving bariatric surgery is growing significantly, further
procedure-specific and drug-specific studies are required to ensure that
bariatric patients are receiving the intended benefits of pharmacotherapies
prescribed. Research is especially needed in pharmacotherapy classes where
there are significant consequences to decreased absorption, for example, of
antimicrobials, anticoagulants, and chemotherapy. The utilization of a
multidisciplinary team including a pharmacist is most beneficial in this
patient population in order to maximize the long-term benefits of bariatric
surgery for the individual patient.
