Indications
Adults: Orlifit, used together with a mildly low-calorie diet, is indicated for obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m2, and for overweight patients (BMI above 28 kg/m2) who also have associated risk factors such as type II diabetes, high blood cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), and high blood pressure (hypertension). Treatment with Orlifit should be stopped after 12 weeks if the patient has not lost at least 5% of the body weight recorded at the start of therapy. Adolescents (12 years and older): Obese adolescents should be given Orlifit only if diet and increased physical activity alone have not achieved an adequate reduction in body weight. Treatment with Orlifit should be considered particularly when complications of obesity are already present.
⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.
Pharmacology
Orlistat is a powerful, highly selective, long-acting lipase inhibitor. It works within the stomach and upper small intestine, where it binds to the active serine site of gastric and pancreatic lipases and forms a covalent bond with them. This deactivates the enzymes, so they can no longer break down dietary fat (triglycerides) into the free fatty acids and monoglycerides the body would otherwise absorb. Because these undigested triglycerides pass through unabsorbed, a calorie deficit results, which helps with weight control. This means orlistat does not need to enter the bloodstream to work. At the recommended dose of 120 mg three times daily, it reduces dietary fat absorption by about 30%.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy: Orlistat falls under Pregnancy Category X. It is contraindicated during pregnancy, since weight loss offers no benefit to a pregnant woman and may cause fetal harm. Current guidance recommends a minimum weight gain, and no weight loss, for all pregnant women, including those who are already overweight or obese, because maternal tissues necessarily gain weight during pregnancy. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if a patient becomes pregnant while taking it, she should be informed of the potential risk that maternal weight loss poses to the fetus.
Lactation: Whether Orlistat passes into human milk is not known. It should be used with caution in nursing mothers.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Dosage Reference
⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.
Side Effects & Interactions
Side Effects
No side-effect data recorded yet.