Orlistat: my Opinion & Purchase at the Best Price

[Article updated on 19/09/2023]

Orlistat is used with a low-calorie diet to help obese patients lose weight. It is also used in overweight people who may also have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease. According to doctors, this medication works by preventing the intestines from absorbing some of the fats in the patient’s food. Undigested fat is passed out through the stools. The most common side effects of orlistat include gastrointestinal disturbances, such as fatty or oily stools, more frequent defecation, and fecal incontinence. Another side effect of this low-cost medication is a slight reduction in fat-soluble vitamins, usually not outside the reference range.

Price of Orlistat

Presentation

Orlistat, the active ingredient in Xenical And Ali, is primarily intended for the treatment of obesity, a pathology manifested by excess body fat. People can become obese for many different reasons. In the opinion of nutritionists, excessive calorie consumption is one of the main reasons for the obesity pandemic affecting the world. Nowadays, people eat a lot more food than in previous generations. This used to be the case in developed countries, but this trend has spread throughout the world. Despite billions of dollars spent on public awareness campaigns that try to encourage people to eat healthily, the majority of people continue to overeat. In 1980, 14% of the European population was obese. in 2000, this figure reached 31%.

Another reason is sedentary lifestyle. With the advent of televisions, computers, video games, remote controls, washing machines, dishwashers and other modern appliances, people generally lead a much more sedentary lifestyle than their parents and grandparents. parents. A few decades ago, shopping consisted of walking down the main street where you could find grocery stores, bakeries, banks, etc. These days, online shopping is the rule. Car dependence has become so strong that many people will drive even if their destination is only half a mile away. Overweight and obesity are risk factors for many health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems and gallstones, among other conditions.

Mode of action

Orlistat is synthesized from lipstatin, a substance produced by Streptomyces toxytricini and which inhibits most mammalian lipases. The molecule binds to lipases in the gastrointestinal tract and thus blocks the digestion of dietary triglycerides. This inhibition of fat digestion reduces the formation of micelles and, therefore, the absorption of long-chain fatty acids, cholesterol and some fat-soluble vitamins. In the opinion of health professionals, the degree of fat malabsorption is directly related in a curvilinear manner to the dose administered. Excretion of approximately 30% of ingested triglycerides, which is close to the maximum plateau value, occurs at a dose of 360 mg/day (120 mg three times a day with meals). The discounted drug has no effect on systemic lipases, as less than 1% of the administered dose is absorbed.

Data from two meta-analyses showed that subjects treated with orlistat lost approximately 3% (3kg) more weight than those randomized to placebo after 1 year of treatment. Additionally, approximately twice as many subjects randomized to orlistat lost at least 5% or at least 10% of their initial weight, compared to those randomized to placebo. In a 4-year study, weight loss was 5% greater in patients treated with this active ingredient. Results from several studies suggest that orlistat administration is associated with a reduction in serum LDL-C levels that is independent of the effect of weight loss alone. Even after adjusting for percent weight loss, these studies showed that subjects treated with this drug had a greater reduction in serum LDL-C concentrations than those treated with placebo. The mechanism responsible for this effect may be related to the inhibition of dietary cholesterol absorption.

Who is orlistat for?

In the opinion of doctors, this easily purchased medication is prescribed to help with weight loss in obese people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or more. It may also be prescribed to overweight people who have a BMI of 28 kg/m² or more, if they have other risk factors for obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Orlistat is not authorized for use in children under 18 years of age. However, it can sometimes be prescribed by specialists for children over 12 who are obese. This is an unauthorized use of the medicine. Adequate studies performed to date have not demonstrated any child-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of this medication in adolescents. However, safety and effectiveness have not been established in children under 12 years of age. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated any problems specific to the elderly that would limit the usefulness of orlistat in individuals in this age group.

Studies in animals and pregnant women have demonstrated probable signs of fetal abnormalities. This medication should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant because the risk clearly outweighs any possible benefit. There are no adequate studies in women to determine the infant risk when using this rapid delivery medication while breastfeeding. Therefore, the potential benefits should be weighed against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

People who have a long-term condition in which the intestine does not absorb enough nutrients (chronic malabsorption syndrome) should avoid using this medication. The same is true for people in whom the normal flow of bile from the liver to the intestines is blocked (cholestasis). Capsules of this medication should not be used if the patient is allergic to any of their ingredients. Care should be taken to inform the doctor or pharmacist if the patient has already suffered from such an allergy. Patients who think they have already had an allergic reaction should stop using the medicine and inform their doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Price and effectiveness of orlistat

Several studies have confirmed the effectiveness of orlistat for weight loss. The European Medicines Agency conducted a double-blind study in which 688 obese people with an average BMI of 36 kg/m² received orlistat or placebo for 1 year, in combination with a hypocaloric diet (minimum energy intake, 1000-1200 kcal/day).

At the end of the first year, they were randomly reassigned for another year. At the end of the first year of the study, the average weight loss was 10.2% for the orlistat group and 6.1% for the placebo group. During the second year of the study, participants who took a placebo gained twice as much weight as those who continued treatment with orlistat. Participants who switched from placebo to orlistat lost 0.9 kg more weight than in the first year of the study.

An American study showed similar results. In this trial, 892 obese people with a BMI ranging from 30 to 43 kg/m²) were subjected to either a placebo or a treatment of 120 mg or 60 mg three times a day with orlistat. By the end of the first year, participants taking orlistat had lost more weight than those taking a placebo. At the end of the second year, participants taking orlistat 120 mg three times a day lost more weight than those taking orlistat 60 mg three times a day or a placebo. These studies have shown that there is significant weight loss with the use of this drug in combination with diet during the first year, and that the tendency for weight regain during the second year is less with the use of orlistat. In the opinion of experts, weight loss also helps in the treatment of comorbidities, including dyslipidemia.

How to use orlistat?

This discounted medication should only be taken as directed by a doctor. You should not take more, increase the number of doses or take it for longer than the doctor prescribed. This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. You will need to read it carefully and follow the instructions contained therein. Do not hesitate to ask questions to the attending physician if you have any doubts. This medication prevents the absorption of some of the fats the patient ingests. In the opinion of doctors, the capsules should be taken with liquids during a meal or up to 1 hour after eating. If the patient occasionally misses a meal or eats a meal that does not contain fat, he or she should skip the scheduled dose.

Because this medication may decrease the amount of certain vitamins the body absorbs, you should take a multivitamin supplement once a day. This vitamin supplement should be taken at least 2 hours before or after taking it. It is also possible to take the multivitamin supplement at bedtime. The diet of those taking orlistat should contain no more than 30% of calories in the form of fat. More fat in the diet will increase the side effects of this medication. The patient’s diet should be nutritionally balanced, and the daily intake of fats, carbohydrates and proteins should be distributed over the three main meals.

You will need to carefully follow the doctor’s instructions by adopting a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise program. You will need to speak with your doctor before starting an exercise program. Patients who are taking cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®) or levothyroxine (Levothroid®, Synthroid®), should not take them at the same time as their usual dose. It is best to take cyclosporine at least 3 hours before or 3 hours after taking the medication205. Levothyroxine should be used at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking orlistat.

The dose of this moderately priced medication may be different for some patients. Care should be taken to follow the doctor’s instructions or the directions on the label. The information in this guide includes only average doses of this medication. If the prescribed dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine the patient takes will depend on the dosage of the medicine. Additionally, the number of doses to take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the duration of taking the medication depend on the medical problem for which the patient is using the medication. For the treatment of obesity, adults and adolescents will take 120 milligrams three times daily with meals containing fat.

Doses for children under 12 years of age should be determined by the doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the usual schedule. Do not double the doses. The purchased medicine should be stored in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, humidity and direct light. Do not put it in the freezer. It should be kept out of the reach of children.

Drug Interactions and Delivery

In the opinion of experts, patients who take a multivitamin supplement with this medication should do so at least two hours after their dose, or at bedtime, otherwise this active ingredient will prevent the vitamins from being absorbed.

Orlistat may also reduce the absorption of certain medications in the intestine and may therefore make them less effective. These include acenocoumarol, an anticoagulant used to treat blood clot problems. Also on this list is amiodarone, a medication used to treat cardiac arrhythmia. We also have antidepressants and antiepileptics such as valproate or lamotrigine. This list also includes antipsychotics and antibiotics such as cyclosporine and levothyroxine. Lithium and medicines used to treat HIV infection, such as efavirenz or lopinavir are on this list. Finally we have phenindione and warfarin.

Patients who take orlistat with one of these medications may need additional monitoring to make sure the medication is still working. Patients should tell their doctor if they think the medicine has become less effective after starting use of this molecule. Those taking diabetes medications may need to adjust their dose if they lose weight while taking orlistat. This is because weight loss can be accompanied by an improvement in blood sugar levels. You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist. This medication is not recommended in combination with acarbose for diabetes.

Patients who are taking medications for high blood pressure or medications for high cholesterol may need to adjust their dose if they lose weight while taking orlistat. This is because weight loss may be accompanied by an improvement in blood pressure or cholesterol levels. You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist. This medication may cause diarrhea, which, if severe, may reduce the absorption of oral birth control pills, making them less effective in preventing pregnancy. Patients who are taking birth control pills may need to use an additional method of contraception, such as condoms, to prevent pregnancy if they have severe diarrhea while taking this medication. You will need to follow the instructions in the leaflet provided with the pill.

Side effects

According to doctors, the most common side effects include flatulence, as well as watery and oily stools, leading to fecal urgency, abdominal and rectal pain. Symptoms can be reduced by adhering to a reduced-fat diet. Low plasma concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E have been observed in patients treated with this drug. This medication is contraindicated in cases of chronic intestinal malabsorption or cholestasis.

Common side effects include bladder pain, body aches, chills and cough. We also have diarrhea, difficulty breathing, ear congestion, fever, a general feeling of discomfort, a headache, loss of appetite, as well as loss of voice. Some patients may experience lower back or side pain, muscle pain, and nasal congestion. Others may experience nausea, runny nose, chills, as well as sneezing. There have also been cases of sore throat, sweating, trouble sleeping, unusual fatigue or weakness, and vomiting.

Less commonly, there may be chest tightness, tooth or gum problems, breathing problems or wheezing. Rarely, some people may have bloody or cloudy urine, changes in hearing, contagious diarrhea, dark urine, and difficult or painful urination. Others may experience an earache, rapid heartbeat, frequent need to urinate, or hives. There have been reports of rectal bleeding, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), and diverticulitis. Researchers have also noted elevated liver enzyme levels in some patients, as well as liver inflammation (hepatitis) that can be serious. They also had to deal with kidney stones which can lead to kidney failure, as well as peeling of the skin.

Precautions for using the purchased medicine

It is very important that the doctor checks the patient’s progress during regular visits, to ensure that this medication is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for side effects. According to experts, using this medicine during pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. You will need to use an effective form of birth control to avoid getting pregnant. If a patient thinks she may have become pregnant while using this medicine, she should tell her doctor immediately. Weight loss may lead to improvement in the condition of diabetic patients and the doctor may need to change the dose of oral diabetes medication or the dose of insulin.

This easily purchased medication can cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be fatal and requires immediate medical attention. The doctor should be called immediately if the patient has a rash; itches; hoarseness; difficulty breathing; difficulty swallowing; or any swelling of the hands, face, or mouth while using this medicine. Stop using this medication and seek immediate medical attention if the patient experiences stomach pain or tenderness; pale stools; dark urine; loss of appetite; nausea; unusual itching; fatigue, unusual weakness; or if he has yellow eyes or skin. These symptoms could be those of a serious liver problem.

This medicine purchased may increase the risk of getting kidney stones. The doctor should be checked immediately if the patient has blood in the urine, nausea and vomiting, pain in the groin or genitals, or sharp back pain just below the ribs. The weight loss that this medication provides may increase your risk of getting gallstones. A doctor should be contacted immediately if the patient has severe stomach pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

My opinion on Orlistat in video

Conclusion

Overall, I categorized Orlistat as an “average” product, it does not contain harmful substances, but it is still not natural. However, it is a specific drug to treat obesity, which leaves me perplexed as to its use as a fat sensor!

Then, the high price of Orlistat is a real obstacle for me. It makes access to the product very limited and represents a significant financial constraint if you want to have several months of treatment, it’s a hell of a cost! I admit that I prefer to explore other more affordable and better known options.

The alternatives

This is a nice transition to address these famous other options: