Orlistat

A drug for the treatment of obesity (brand name Xenical) that is not an appetite suppressant, but rather acts by blocking the digestion of about 30 percent of ingested fat calories.


A weight-loss aid. Orlistat (Xenical) prevents the digestion of some of the fat consumed in food. When fats are not digested, they cannot be absorbed by the body and so do not contribute calories. To work most effectively, Orlistat must be used in conjunction with a weight-reduction diet.


An inhibitor of the pancreatic enzyme lipase, which breaks down fats in food to their constituent parts. By inhibiting lipase, the drug reduces the amount of dietary fat absorbed from the intestine. It is used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet in people with a body mass index of 30 kg/m? or more (or 28 if they have other risk factors such as diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus or hypertension). Orlistat may cause oily, liquid faeces, urgency to defecate, excessive wind and, sometimes, headaches, tiredness and anxiety. It should not be given for more than 12 months without reconsideration of the risks and benefits.


An anti-obesity medication employed in conjunction with a weight-reducing diet to address severe obesity. In contrast to appetite suppressants, orlistat operates within the gastrointestinal tract, impeding the breakdown of fats by pancreatic enzymes known as lipases. Rather than being absorbed, these fats are excreted from the body through feces.


Gastrointestinal side effects are predominant and can be lessened by decreasing fat consumption. Flatulence and an urgent need for bowel movements are frequently observed. Prolonged use of orlistat might lead to deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins.


 


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