To fight the battle of bulge, physicians have only a few drugs to choose from. Some of these drugs are only recommended for short-term use because their long-term side effects remain unknown. Many weight loss experts claims that obese individuals can benefit from weight loss drugs. It is estimated that at least 25% of individuals who are obese may benefit from drug therapy.
The majority of weight loss drugs are derivatives or related to the central nervous stimulant- amphetamine. In the 60s and 70s, it was observed that individuals who took amphetamine and cocaine developed loss of appetite and weight loss. Soon the pharmaceutical companies developed analogues of drugs resembling amphetamine. In the 60s, little was know about addiction and physical dependence. Further, lawyers were not into malpractice at that time and thus, these drugs were used freely. Well, things soon began to change and by the 80s and 90s; lawyers knew there was money to be made in medicine and use of weight drugs declined in the 90s. Today, many lawyers know more about medical practice than physicians.
Besides amphetamine like drugs, other drugs that have been used for weight loss are diuretics and thyroid hormone. Both these drugs are not medically indicated for weight loss, but many patients self prescribe these drug for such use. With better understanding of obesity in the 1980s, different weight loss drugs were manufactured. Drugs like fen-phen helped individuals reduce weight loss, but the drug was associated with serious cardiac side effects and its use has been banned universally.
Since then, two new drugs with different mechanisms of action have been approved for use by the FDA. Sibutramine (Meridia) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor acts on the appetite center in the brain, and Orlistat (Xenical) is a pancreatic lipase inhibitor and inhibits the absorption of fat from the abdomen. However, these drugs do have side effects and their long term complications remain unknown. At present we have a huge gap in our armamentarium to treat obesity.
Showing posts with label xenical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label xenical. Show all posts
Friday, April 24, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Xenical (AKA Orlistat) – a good weight loss pill? Part 2
What is alli?
Alli is a brand name of Orlistat and available without a prescription. Alli is only half the prescription strength of Orlistat. Two pills of alli equal one Orlistat pill
How effective is Orlistat?
Well, it is an effective drug for weight loss. The weight loss usually occurs gradually over a period of 2-3 months.
Does Orlistat work in everyone?
No, for some unknown reason it only works in less than 40% of individuals. Asians, Orientals and Africans appear to have a genetic difference in the enzyme, lipase. The enzyme is not effectively inhibited by Orlistat in this patient population.
What else can one do to lose weight?
Orlistat is not the magic pill for weight loss and one also needs to eat less, and enter an exercise program
How much weight can one lose with Orlistat?
Most people claim that they lose 10-15 pounds over 4-6 months. Long term use does not seem to increase this weight loss
What is the dose of Orlistat?
The dose of prescription Orlistat is 120 mg and is supposed to be taken I hr before each meal.
What else should I know about Orlistat?
Because a few vitamins need fat to be absorbed in the blood stream, Orlistat use can prevent absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K. Thus, one has to take supplements of these enzymes. Never take the vitamins supplements at the same time as Orlistat- they will simply be eliminated in the poop.
What are side effects of Orlistat?
Orlistat is a safe drug but has unpleasant side effects. It is because of the side effects that most people cannot take Orlistat for long periods. Passage of fat into the bowels lead to a lot of gas, abdominal cramps, frothy and oily stool. Plus, the oily stools often leak out of the anus and soil the under pants.
These side effects are less when the drug is not taken every day. The side effects do resolve when the pill is stopped. Some people wear diapers during this time to avoid repeated soilage of their underwear
What is cost of the Orlistat?
Orlistat is fairly expensive. Each pill can cost anywhere from $2-$3. One needs to take each pill 3 times a day. This can amount to about $200-$300 a month. This may sound a lot but bariatric surgery can cost $15,000-$25,000.
Final advice
Do not take Orlistat which requires a prescription and is expensive.. If you want to lose weight, take alli which is the same pill, costs much less and one does not need a prescription. Alli is available at half the strength and works just as well
Alli is a brand name of Orlistat and available without a prescription. Alli is only half the prescription strength of Orlistat. Two pills of alli equal one Orlistat pill
How effective is Orlistat?
Well, it is an effective drug for weight loss. The weight loss usually occurs gradually over a period of 2-3 months.
Does Orlistat work in everyone?
No, for some unknown reason it only works in less than 40% of individuals. Asians, Orientals and Africans appear to have a genetic difference in the enzyme, lipase. The enzyme is not effectively inhibited by Orlistat in this patient population.
What else can one do to lose weight?
Orlistat is not the magic pill for weight loss and one also needs to eat less, and enter an exercise program
How much weight can one lose with Orlistat?
Most people claim that they lose 10-15 pounds over 4-6 months. Long term use does not seem to increase this weight loss
What is the dose of Orlistat?
The dose of prescription Orlistat is 120 mg and is supposed to be taken I hr before each meal.
What else should I know about Orlistat?
Because a few vitamins need fat to be absorbed in the blood stream, Orlistat use can prevent absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K. Thus, one has to take supplements of these enzymes. Never take the vitamins supplements at the same time as Orlistat- they will simply be eliminated in the poop.
What are side effects of Orlistat?
Orlistat is a safe drug but has unpleasant side effects. It is because of the side effects that most people cannot take Orlistat for long periods. Passage of fat into the bowels lead to a lot of gas, abdominal cramps, frothy and oily stool. Plus, the oily stools often leak out of the anus and soil the under pants.
These side effects are less when the drug is not taken every day. The side effects do resolve when the pill is stopped. Some people wear diapers during this time to avoid repeated soilage of their underwear
What is cost of the Orlistat?
Orlistat is fairly expensive. Each pill can cost anywhere from $2-$3. One needs to take each pill 3 times a day. This can amount to about $200-$300 a month. This may sound a lot but bariatric surgery can cost $15,000-$25,000.
Final advice
Do not take Orlistat which requires a prescription and is expensive.. If you want to lose weight, take alli which is the same pill, costs much less and one does not need a prescription. Alli is available at half the strength and works just as well
Xenical (AKA Orlistat) – a good weight loss pill?
What is Xenical?
In the last 40 years many weight loss pills have been developed. The majority have been derivatives of the addictive drug, amphetamine. While these drugs have been effective, they also have had serious side effects including physical dependence. Now there is a new weight loss pill known as Orlistat (Xenical).
How is it administered?
Xenical is available as a prescription pill and can help one reduce weight.
How does it work?
Orlistat works by preventing absorption of fat from the intestine. For a normal person, before fat can be absorbed into the blood stream, it has to be broken down into smaller fragments by an enzyme in the intestine. This enzyme, lipase, is blocked by Orlistat. Once the enzyme is blocked, any ingested fat is simply excreted into the feces. The maximum inhibition of the enzyme by Orlistat is not 100 percent but ranges anywhere from 50%-80%
What happens to the fat one eats?
Because the fat is no longer broken down, it is excreted and appears in the stools. The stools appear frothy, bulky and have a distinct smell. The stools also appear greasy and can fill up the entire toilet because of the froth.
When does one take the pill?
Orlistat is best taken at least an hour before a fatty meal. If you are not going to eat fat, there is no point in taking the pill
In the last 40 years many weight loss pills have been developed. The majority have been derivatives of the addictive drug, amphetamine. While these drugs have been effective, they also have had serious side effects including physical dependence. Now there is a new weight loss pill known as Orlistat (Xenical).
How is it administered?
Xenical is available as a prescription pill and can help one reduce weight.
How does it work?
Orlistat works by preventing absorption of fat from the intestine. For a normal person, before fat can be absorbed into the blood stream, it has to be broken down into smaller fragments by an enzyme in the intestine. This enzyme, lipase, is blocked by Orlistat. Once the enzyme is blocked, any ingested fat is simply excreted into the feces. The maximum inhibition of the enzyme by Orlistat is not 100 percent but ranges anywhere from 50%-80%
What happens to the fat one eats?
Because the fat is no longer broken down, it is excreted and appears in the stools. The stools appear frothy, bulky and have a distinct smell. The stools also appear greasy and can fill up the entire toilet because of the froth.
When does one take the pill?
Orlistat is best taken at least an hour before a fatty meal. If you are not going to eat fat, there is no point in taking the pill
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