

In Australia, the United States and the European Union, orlistat is available for sale without a prescription. They decrease with time, however, and are the most frequently reported adverse effects of the drug. īenefits aside, however, orlistat is noted for its gastrointestinal side effects (sometimes referred to as treatment effects), which can include steatorrhea (oily, loose stools). It reduces the incidence of diabetes type II in people who are obese around the same amount that lifestyle changes do. Orlistat also modestly reduces blood pressure and appears to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, whether from the weight loss itself or other effects. Pooled data from clinical trials suggest that people given orlistat in addition to lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise, lose about 2–3 kilograms (4–7 lb) more than those not taking the drug over the course of a year. The effectiveness of orlistat in promoting weight loss is definite but modest. However, due to its relative simplicity and stability, orlistat was chosen over lipstatin for development as an anti-obesity drug. Orlistat is the saturated derivative of lipstatin, a potent natural inhibitor of pancreatic lipases isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces toxytricini. It is intended for use in conjunction with a healthcare provider-supervised reduced-calorie diet. Its primary function is preventing the absorption of fats from the human diet by acting as a lipase inhibitor, thereby reducing caloric intake. Orlistat, sold under the brand name Xenical among others, is a medication used to treat obesity.
