Orlistat side effects

The safety and efficacy of orlistat have not been determined beyond 4 years of use. Minimal systemic effects exist because orlistat acts locally in the GI tract. Thus, common side effects reported include oily spotting, flatus with discharge, fecal urgency, fatty/oily stools, oily evacuation, increased defecation, and fecal incontinence.31 Other adverse events include bloating, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache.37... 

The side effects of orlistat are extremely unpleasant. Patients may experience abdominal pain, gas, and discomfort when taking this drug the abdominal problems that occur are even more intense after the patient eats a high-fat meal. Since orlistat is a lipase inhibitor, it prevents fat from being absorbed by the body. Thus, the fat in food comes out of the body in the stool, causing these side effects ... 

Cavaliere, H., Floriano, 1., and Medeiros-Neto, G. (2001). Gastrointestinal side effects of orlistat may be prevented by concomitant prescription of natural fibers (Psyllium mucil-loid). Int.. Obes. 25,1095-1099. 

It is known how orlistat works. The mechanism is plausible, both in terms of effecting weight loss and causing annoying side effects. Digestion of dietary fat begins... 

The active ingredient of Xenical, orlistat, is a pancreatic lipase inhibitor. Side-effects include faecal urgency, liquid oily stools and flatulence. Xenical capsules are administered before, during or up to 1 hour after the two main meals, twice daily. 

Use of orlistat could interfere with the body s absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and beta carotene. Long-term use could result in deficiencies of vitamins A, D, E, and K, and beta carotene. Patients are advised to take supplements. Another possible side effect is calcium deficiency. 

Regrettably, the pharmacologist must confess that no drugs exist that can be recommended for the purpose of weight reduction. The so-called appetite suppressants (anorexiants) act only, if at all, for a limited period and are fraught with side effects. Most anorexiants are derivatives of metham-phetamine that have been withdrawn from the market. A different mechanism of action is involved in the case of an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase, which is required in the intestines for fat absorption. This inhibitor (orlistat) diminishes fat absorption so that fats reach the lower bowel, where they can cause disturbances flatulence, steatorrhea, and frequent need to relieve the bowels occur in about 30% of affected subjects. These symptoms correspond exactly to those seen in pancreatic hypofunction which are then usually treated with pancreatic lipase. Before an obese person submits to treatment with orlistat, he or she should voluntarily reduce the food fat content by one half to live free of such unpleasant adverse effects. 

Several orlistat and sibutramlne weight-loss studies have been performed to date. Compared with placebo, orlistat-treated patients lose about 3 kg and patients on sibutramlne lose about 4 kg. Orlistat causes gastrointestinal side-effects (e.g. diarrhea, and frequent and fatty stools) and sibutramlne is usually associated with small increases in blood pressure and pulse rate. - ... 

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