title: Evaluation of efficacy and safety of orlistat in obese patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rapidly rising prevalence of obesity is alarming. Obesity predisposes to co-morbidities like hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias, thus substantially rising healthcare expenditure. Lifestyle modifications alone have very limited success, necessitating the addition of pharmacotherapy to it.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Present study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of orlistat in obese patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty obese (BMI>30) patients according to inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized into either of the two groups. Group 1 received orlistat 120 mg three times a day and group 2 received placebo three times a day. Weight, waist circumference, BMI, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL were measured at baseline and then at 8(th), 16(th) and 24(th) week. ADR reported by patients were recorded. For safety evaluation various hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed. Z test was used for analysis of data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to placebo, orlistat caused significant reduction (P<0.05) in weight (4.65 kg vs 2.5 kg; orlistat vs placebo, respectively), BMI (1.91 kg/m(2) vs 0.64 kg/m(2)) and waist circumference (4.84 cm vs 2 cm), cholesterol (10.68 mg vs 6.18 mg) and LDL level (5.87 mg vs 2.33 mg). In the orlistat group, the GI side effects like loose stools, oily stools/spotting, abdominal pain and fecal urgency were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orlistat is an effective and well-tolerated antiobesity drug, which can be employed as an adjunct to therapeutic lifestyle changes to achieve and maintain optimal weight.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Miraj, India.
authors: Suyog S
authors: SS
authors: Jain
authors: Sunita J
authors: SJ
authors: Ramanand
authors: Jaiprakash B
authors: JB
authors: Ramanand
authors: Pramod B
authors: PB
authors: Akat
authors: Milind H
authors: MH
authors: Patwardhan
authors: Sachin R
authors: SR
authors: Joshi