Orlistat for weight loss – instructions

The content of the article

• What is Orlistat
• Release form
• Indications for use
• How does orlistat work with weight loss
• Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
• Instructions for use
• Does taking Orlistat in doses exceeding the daily rate affect the rate of weight loss
• In pregnancy and in childhood
• Drug Interactions
• Side effects
• Contraindications
• Price
• Analogs

Orlistat is a popular weight loss drug. An indication for its use is obesity, in which the body mass index is several times higher than normal values. The medicine reduces weight and prevents weight gain in the future. This effect is due to the fact that fat is not absorbed by the body and is excreted along with feces. Orlistat is not used for losing a couple of kilograms. This medicine is with serious indications, a number of side effects and restrictions on the use of.

What is Orlistat

The active ingredient in the composition of the drug is the substance of the same name. The medicine is used to treat obesity and prevent the risk of re-gaining weight. Orlistat for weight loss is effective, because it belongs to the category of inhibitors of gastrointestinal lipases. These are enzymes that process fats. The result – they are not stored by the body in reserve, but are excreted during bowel movement. Manufacturers note that only taking Orlistat will not help to lose weight. The drug only improves results from diet and exercise.

Release form

The drug is available in the form of capsules. They contain a light crystalline powder. The capsules themselves are blue. They are packed in cell packs of 10 pieces. In a cardboard bundle there are from 1 to 9 such blisters. Additional components in the capsule are:

• crospovidone;
• acacia gum;
• magnesium stearate;
• sodium lauryl sulfate;
• mannitol.

Indications for use

A general indication for the use of Orlistat is the need for weight loss, but not a couple of extra pounds. Doctors prescribe this drug to patients with obesity of varying degrees. Against the background of taking the medicine, they still need to follow a diet and exercise. Only Orlistat for weight loss will be highly effective. Specific indications for therapy with this medication are:

• obesity with a body mass index of more than 30 kg / m2;
• obesity with a body mass index of more than 27 kg / m2 and associated risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension;
• reduced risk of re-gaining weight after successful weight loss.

How does orlistat work with weight loss

The main effect of orlistat is the inhibition of gastrointestinal lipases. These are enzymes that break down fats in the body. As a result, the breakdown of the latter into fatty acids and monoglycerides becomes impossible. Because of this, the components of fats are not absorbed into the blood, which leads to a deficiency of calories in the body. These effects provide for the use of excess body fat stored in excess..

The therapeutic dose of the drug blocks up to 30% of incoming fats. It shows activity without producing a systemic effect on the body, because it does not penetrate into the blood. Metabolism occurs in the intestinal walls, where metabolites form. The drug is completely eliminated from the body after 5 days. With prolonged use, a slight effect is observed on the balance of trace elements such as calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus. The negative effect of the product does not apply to:

• composition and properties of bile;
• gastric acidity;
• digestive tract lump rate.

According to doctors, taking the medicine for a year and following a diet can get rid of 3.4 kilograms more than just with limited nutrition. The same results are obtained when using a low-carb power system. It provides an opportunity not to use dietary supplements and not to restrict too tightly the intake of healthy fats, because it is harmful to the body. For this reason, the decision to take Orlistat is made individually.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The effectiveness of the drug is due to its good mixing with fats and high lipophilicity. Inactivation of the gastric and pancreatic lipases is also provided by the active connection of orlistat with them. The result is blocking the penetration of triglycerides into the blood. These effects provide a deficiency of energy in the body, which makes it mobilize its own reserves from the fat depot.

Regular intake of Orlistat for weight loss helps to reduce viscero-abdominal fat in the total mass. Additionally, the tool contributes to:

• reduce cholesterol and decrease its solubility;
• reduced tissue sensitivity to insulin;
• reduction of hyperinsulinemia.

Alcohol does not have a special effect on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the drug, but it is noted that the effectiveness of the drug is reduced until the absence of effect. In addition, the development of allergic reactions is possible. It is allowed to take Orlistat diet pills:

• 2 hours before and 6 hours after drinking – for men;
• 4 hours before and 9 hours after taking alcohol – for men.

The risk to health is minimal if alcohol was drunk during therapy for the first time. To avoid potential risks and not harm the body, do not combine the drug with alcohol and abuse these drinks throughout the course of treatment. if you violate this rule, you must do the following:

• stop drinking alcohol;
• the next 4 hours do not drink water;
• seek medical attention if the condition worsens.

Instructions for use

The medication is intended for oral use. It is taken orally strictly according to the instructions. The dosage for an adult is 120 mg (one capsule). Rules for taking the medicine:

• the capsule is taken daily with meals or an hour after a meal;
• no more than 3 capsules per day can be taken;
• if the food on one day the food contains little fat, then it is allowed not to take Orlistat for weight loss.

Over the first six months, body weight should decrease by 10%. If this does not happen, then you should stop taking the medicine and consult a doctor for clarification of the diagnosis and the appointment of another drug. It is necessary to use the medicine against the background of moderate hypocaloric nutrition. The nutritional value of the diet should be calculated taking into account the weight and lifestyle of the patient. On average, it is reduced by 500-800 kcal to ensure energy deficiency. The fat content should not exceed 30%. The diet should enrich:

• fruit
• greens;
• seafood;
• natural juices;
• vegetables
• lean meat and fish.

The active component of the drug reduces the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. For this reason, during treatment, it is necessary to ensure their normal intake. This is achieved by taking multivitamin complexes that contain these fat-soluble vitamins. They are consumed 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Orlistat capsules.

Does taking Orlistat in doses exceeding the daily rate affect the rate of weight loss

According to the instructions for use, deliberately exceeding the dosage of the drug (more than 120 mg 3 times a day) does not guarantee additional weight loss. This means that the rate of weight loss from this does not change. There is no point in increasing the dose of the drug, because this will lead to an overdose. This is especially true for patients with bulimia and anorexia, who are prone to abuse of drugs for weight loss..

In pregnancy and in childhood

The medication is allowed in childhood, but only after reaching 12 years. The period of pregnancy and lactation are absolute contraindications to the use of Orlistat for weight loss. During lactation, the drug is prohibited, since there is no data on whether the active substance is secreted into breast milk. Well-controlled and adequate studies of the use of this drug in pregnant women have not been conducted..

During pregnancy, the medicine is also contraindicated because weight loss during this period does not have potential benefits for the woman. In addition, a negative effect on the fetus is possible. So that a woman does not suffer from overweight during this period, she is recommended a minimum increase in body weight, and not decrease it after a sharp set. If pregnancy has taken while taking the drug, then the medicine should be discontinued.

Drug Interactions

Orlistat decreases the ability to absorb beta-carotene from dietary supplements. The same applies to vitamins E and D, belonging to the fat-soluble group. If Orlistat for weight loss is taken simultaneously with Cyclosporine, then the plasma content of the first drug may become reduced. For this reason, between the use of these two drugs, it is necessary to strictly observe a time interval of 2-3 hours. Other cases of interaction:

1. When combined with sodium levothyroxine, hypothyroidism is sometimes possible. In this case, constant monitoring of thyroid function and compliance with the gap between doses of 4 or more hours is required..
2. It is also noted that Orlistat increases the concentration in the bloodstream of pravastine by about 30%.

Side effects

Orlistat for weight loss is effective, but can affect the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. In most cases, the cause of the development of adverse reactions is the use of too fatty foods. To avoid negative reactions, it is necessary to adhere to a balanced diet with a low calorie content and daily fat content of about 30% of the norm. Among the side effects on the digestive tract are:

• fecal incontinence;
• Fatty stools;
• flatulence;
• imperative urge to defecate;
• oily discharge of their rectum;
• frequent bowel movements.

Another group of adverse reactions are abnormalities in the functioning of the nervous system, which appear in the first 1-4 weeks of using medications. In this case, dizziness, sleep problems, headache, anxiety are noted. Due to impaired absorption of fats, intestinal steatorrhea and a deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins are sometimes possible. In some patients, urinary oxalate levels may increase.

In the post-registration period, serious side effects such as acute liver failure have been identified. In some cases, it led to the need for liver transplantation and even death. The doctor, when prescribing Orlistat for weight loss, must warn the patient about the need to seek help with the development of disorders of the liver, which are manifested:

• anorexia;
• itchy skin;
• discoloration of feces and urine;
• jaundice
• pain in the right hypochondrium.

Contraindications

With the syndrome of inflamed intestines, taking Orlistat for weight loss can be difficult to tolerate. For this reason, a preliminary consultation with a doctor is necessary. The list of absolute contraindications to the use of this medication includes:

• period of pregnancy and lactation;
• hyperoxaluria;
• chronic malabsorption syndrome;
• hypersensitivity;
• nephrolithiasis;
• age less than 12 years;
• cholestasis.

Price

The cost of the drug is determined by the number of capsules in the package. In some pharmacies, the price of the medicine may vary. Specific examples of cost are shown in the table:

Analogs

The active substance orlistat is also found in some other drugs, which are also indicated for the treatment of obesity. Replacing one remedy with another alone is not recommended. For the choice of an analogue, it is better to consult a doctor. He can offer the tools described in the table: