title: Benefit-risk assessment of orlistat in the treatment of obesity.
abstract: Orlistat, an inhibitor of intestinal lipase, has been available for the treatment of obesity for nearly two decades. In conjunction with a hypocaloric diet, orlistat treatment results in a placebo-subtracted reduction in body weight of around 3 kg at 1 year, and increases the likelihood of achieving clinically significant (≥5%) weight loss by around 20%. Orlistat-induced weight loss also confers modest improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, glycemic parameters, and progression to diabetes in people with impaired glucose tolerance. Overall, it has a good safety profile, and serious adverse events (including reports of severe kidney and liver injury) are rare. However, a high rate of gastrointestinal side effects limits adherence to treatment.
authors: Department of Medicine (Austin Health), University of Melbourne, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg, VIC, 3081, Australia, priyas@unimelb.edu.au.
authors: Priya
authors: P
authors: Sumithran
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Proietto
mesh_terms: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055118:Medication Adherence; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077403:Orlistat; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D007783:Lactones; D000077403:Orlistat