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Review article: malnutrition and maltreatment—a comment on orlistat for the treatment of obesity
Article first published online: 24 DEC 2001
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1999.00591.x
1365-2036/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=d621428d7905f55dc6cbe431b6da6a6c8f16399c "Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics")
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How to Cite
Cahill and Lean (1999), Review article: malnutrition and maltreatment—a comment on orlistat for the treatment of obesity. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 13: 997–1002. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1999.00591.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 24 DEC 2001
- Article first published online: 24 DEC 2001
- Abstract
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The prevalence of obesity has doubled in the last 10 years and is now reaching epidemic proportions. There is a significant comorbidity and financial cost associated with this disorder. Orlistat is an intestinal lipase inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of obesity.
Recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated the benefit of orlistat used in conjunction with a hypocaloric (low-fat) diet in facilitating weight reduction and the long-term maintenance of this weight loss. Patients treated with orlistat lost a greater amount of initial body weight compared to those who received placebo. After 24 months of treatment, weight loss of more than 5% was maintained in a greater number of those treated with orlistat. This was associated with significant reductions in cardiovascular risk factors (cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, LDL:HDL cholesterol ratio). The main adverse events are related to fat malabsorption, with potential losses of fat-soluble vitamins and other compounds.
Orlistat as a treatment for obesity, when prescribed within present guidelines, can aid modest weight loss in about one-third of patients. More importantly, it can assist in the maintenance of weight loss with major medical benefits for these patients.