Orlistat, obesity management

Pharmacology Orlistat is a reversible lipase inhibitor for obesity management that acts by inhibiting the absorption of dietary fats. It exerts its therapeutic activity in the lumen of the stomach and small intestine. 

Drew, B. S., Dixon, A. F., and Drew, J. B. (2007) Obesity management update on orlistat. Vase. Health Risk Manag. 3, 817-821. 

We have witnessed lifestyle drugs in the form of orlistat (Xenical, Roche) prescribed for obesity management (Exhibit 2.10), and growth hormones have been promoted for enhancement of muscle tone and youthful vitality... 

There has been a report that orlistat, used in the management of obesity, reduced the systemic availability of... 

Heck AM, Yanovski JA, Calis KA (2000) Orlistat, a new lipase inhibitor for the management of obesity. Pharmacotherapy 20 270-279... 

Clinical trials show that patients who adhere to a low-calorie diet and take orlistat lost on average 9-10 kg after one year (compared to 6 kg in those who took placebo) in the following year those who remained on orlistat regained 1.5-3.0 kg (4-6 kg with placebo). Orlistat has found a place in the management of obesity in the UK but, not surprisingly, this is subject to stringent guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, namely that it be initiated only in individuals ... 

Orlistat has been found to be effective in the management of obese patients with co-morbid type II diabetes mellitus. Not only did the diabetics lose more weight on orlistat, the plasma levels of glycosylated haemoglobin (a measure of diabetic control) fell by 0.2% after 1 year on orlistat compared to a rise of 0.3% on placebo (Miles et al. 2002). Both orlistat and sibutramine appear to be equally effective in this group of patients, although sibutramine is better tolerated (Derosa et al. 2004). 

James WP, Avenell A, Broom J, Whitehead J. A one-year trial to assess the value of orlistat in the management of obesity. Int. J. Obesity Relat. Metabol. Disord. 1997 21 (suppl 3) S24-30. 

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