Macro partitioning
Orlistat (120 mg three times daily with meals) promotes greater weight loss and weight maintenance compared to diet alone in obese adults, primarily by inhibiting gastric and pancreatic lipases to reduce dietary fat absorption.
Take 120 mg of Orlistat with each main meal containing fat (up to 3 times daily). You must follow a diet where less than 30% of your calories come from fat; skipping a fat-free meal means you can skip the dose. Expect some gastrointestinal side effects like oily spotting or urgency, especially early on, but these often improve with time. Take a daily multivitamin at least 2 hours before or after taking Orlistat to prevent vitamin deficiencies.
Orlistat, a weight-loss agent with a novel mechanism of action... inhibits gastric and pancreatic lipases in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract to decrease systemic absorption of dietary fat. In several trials lasting up to 2 years, orlistat was more effective than diet alone for weight reduction and maintenance of lost weight.
Why this rating
Based on multiple large, randomized, placebo-controlled trials (up to 2 years) with pooled data.
Source
Orlistat, a New Lipase Inhibitor for the Management of Obesity
Amy Sheehan et al. · Pharmacotherapy The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy · 2000
DOI 10.1592/phco.20.4.270.34882
More from this paper
- Orlistat reduces the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (specifically D and E) and beta-carotene, necessitating daily multivitamin supplementation taken 2 hours before or after the drug.Strong
- Orlistat improves glycemic control and reduces the need for diabetes medication in patients with Type 2 Diabetes, independent of weight loss alone.Good
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