Research

Macro partitioning

Orlistat, an anti-absorptive medication, produces modest weight loss (2.8-4.8% total body weight loss) by inhibiting gastric and pancreatic lipase.

Orlistat is an oral medication that works by blocking fat absorption, leading to modest weight loss (around 3-5%). It is less effective than newer injectable options and can cause gastrointestinal side effects like oily stools and urgency, which may limit its use.

GoodSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Orlistat inhibits gastric and pancreatic lipase, preventing triglycerides from being hydrolyzed and decreasing the absorption of free fatty acids from the diet. Weight reduction (denoted henceforth with the minus [-] sign) ranges from −2.8 to −4.8% total body weight loss (TBWL).
Thomas W. Fredrick et al. · Clinical Pharmacology Advances and Applications · 2025

Why this rating

Supported by multiple trials (Xendos, Kang 2010).

Source

Pharmacotherapy for Obesity: Recent Updates

Thomas W. Fredrick et al. · Clinical Pharmacology Advances and Applications · 2025

narrative_review
Read the paper

This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →