A government committee of health experts yesterday opened the door to selling Orlistat, a prescription weight-loss drug in a reduced dosage directly to consumers.
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But "the problem with Orlistat are the side effects," notes Johns Hopkins endocrinologist Aniket Sidhaye, co-author with Cheskin of a recent scientific review of Orlistat and other prescription weight loss drugs.
At the current recommended prescription dose -- 120 milligrams taken up to three times per day, for example up to 360 milligrams daily -- about 70 percent of users experience gastrointestinal complications, Klein says. They range from flatulence and increased bowel movements to diarrhea and anal leakage.
That's because Orlistat works by blocking fat absorption in the intestine. When fat that's eaten isn't absorbed, it must be eliminated. Thus, the gastrointestinal problems.
"This medicine can make you intolerant to all fatty foods," Cheskin says. "You might like ice cream, but you probably won't eat it, because it's simply not worth it."
The side effects appear to be worse during the first few weeks of use and then taper off as many people learn to reduce their intake of fat. That switch can also help with weight loss, provided that the fat isn't replaced with calories from other foods.
Weight loss with this pill is definitely not spectacular compared to a placebo...
From WebMD:
One study reports that:1
About 30% of people who took orlistat for 12 to 18 months lost 10% or more of their weight. In the placebo group, 24% had lost this amount of weight at 12 months and 16% at 18 months. About 60% of people who took orlistat for 12 to 18 months lost 5% or more of their weight. In the placebo group, 46% had lost this amount of weight at 12 months and 37% at 18 months. Research reports that taking 120 mg of orlistat 3 times per day and following a reduced-calorie diet:2
For 12 weeks resulted in weight loss of about 10.5 lb(4.8 kg). If a reduced-calorie diet and placebo were used, weight loss was 6.5 lb(3 kg). For 6 months resulted in weight loss of about 23.5 lb(10.7 kg). If a reduced-calorie diet and placebo were used, weight loss was about 16 lb(7.3 kg). For 1 year resulted in losing 35% of original weight. If a reduced-calorie diet and placebo were used, 21% of the original weight was lost.
----------- Jen
Posts: 2868 | Location: Ohio | Registered: March 11, 2004
Originally posted by Tayhudson: It isn't being released at prescription doses though, from the report I heard. So, maybe the side effects are less.I'm still not going to take it...Dawn
Good point. My understanding is that the OTC version will be a 1/2-prescription-dose.
Posts: 2349 | Location: A Blue State | Registered: May 02, 2004
I have to believe that if there is a pill that will take the weight off....a miricale has happened. And as much as I'd love to believe in that kind of miricale, I don't. It took hard work to put it on,it's going to take hard work to take it off. And if there is that kind of pill, what kind of side effects, or long term effects are there going to be. No thanks, I think I'll work at it!
It's never too late to get it right.
Posts: 3468 | Location: Central USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
Originally posted by Sheltieguy: By Sally Squires Tuesday, January 24, 2006; HE01
At the current recommended prescription dose -- 120 milligrams taken up to three times per day, for example up to 360 milligrams daily -- about 70 percent of users experience gastrointestinal complications, Klein says. They range from flatulence and increased bowel movements to diarrhea and anal leakage.
"This medicine can make you intolerant to all fatty foods," Cheskin says. "You might like ice cream, but you probably won't eat it, because it's simply not worth it. ]
Hmmmmm.....diarrhea and anal leakage or ice cream....ICE CREAM!!!! Jill
Summer Challenge Goals: 1) Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week 2) Plan weekly menus
