Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is Orlistat Recommended For Long Term Treatment Of Obesity?
Question: Hi Doctor,
I was put on Orlistat 120 Mg for sometime due to my weight , I noticed it is helping me lose weight.. but as all the medicine ... side effects tend to take toll more than the benefit, I have seen I feel very tired, Oily Stools, dull look and Face skin becomes Dark , , since I am wheatish complexion and sometimes headache. I need to know if Orlistat is recommended for long term treatment of obesity,Now I have moved out to different location and not seeing the Doctor any more, I have completely stopped Orlistat, now I am seeing my weight is again becoming more.. it is equivalent to what I lost taking orlistat.. I need to know if I continue to take Orlistat for long term or should I switch over to other alternative. Weight gain is what bothering me ..since my diet regime remains the same , no changes when I was on Orlistat 120 Mg.
Right Now I have put on 7 Kgs of weight.. which I need to reduce.. Please advice... My Present Weight is 96 Kgs..
Regards XXXX
I was put on Orlistat 120 Mg for sometime due to my weight , I noticed it is helping me lose weight.. but as all the medicine ... side effects tend to take toll more than the benefit, I have seen I feel very tired, Oily Stools, dull look and Face skin becomes Dark , , since I am wheatish complexion and sometimes headache. I need to know if Orlistat is recommended for long term treatment of obesity,Now I have moved out to different location and not seeing the Doctor any more, I have completely stopped Orlistat, now I am seeing my weight is again becoming more.. it is equivalent to what I lost taking orlistat.. I need to know if I continue to take Orlistat for long term or should I switch over to other alternative. Weight gain is what bothering me ..since my diet regime remains the same , no changes when I was on Orlistat 120 Mg.
Right Now I have put on 7 Kgs of weight.. which I need to reduce.. Please advice... My Present Weight is 96 Kgs..
Regards XXXX
Brief Answer:
Other options are also there
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to health care magic.
Orlistat is one of the safest weight reducing medicines.
The adverse effect you have mentioned are quite frequent. Adverse effects like greasy stools abdominal bloating etc.
There are other options for cutting down weight like rational eating, dieting and exercise programs for weight reduction which are more physiological and more effective then weight reduction medicines and they also restore physical fitness so they are more advisable for you.
If you still want to choose orlistat then you may take the medicine prior to fatty meals or during eat outs where high calorie food intake is expected. Greasy stools are unavoidable problem due to the mechanism of the drug.
Another important problem is that orlistat causes lack of absorption of fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A, K and D are not absorbed sufficiently and may produce symptoms as you have mentioned so make sure you take additional supplements of these vitamins either 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking the drug.
I hope the advice will be helpful for you.
Other options are also there
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to health care magic.
Orlistat is one of the safest weight reducing medicines.
The adverse effect you have mentioned are quite frequent. Adverse effects like greasy stools abdominal bloating etc.
There are other options for cutting down weight like rational eating, dieting and exercise programs for weight reduction which are more physiological and more effective then weight reduction medicines and they also restore physical fitness so they are more advisable for you.
If you still want to choose orlistat then you may take the medicine prior to fatty meals or during eat outs where high calorie food intake is expected. Greasy stools are unavoidable problem due to the mechanism of the drug.
Another important problem is that orlistat causes lack of absorption of fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A, K and D are not absorbed sufficiently and may produce symptoms as you have mentioned so make sure you take additional supplements of these vitamins either 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking the drug.
I hope the advice will be helpful for you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Doctor for the valuable Feedback. I was little concerned since some of the Weight loss medicine as per public medical articles tend cause certain side effects like Kidney Problem etc..so they ask us to refrain from long term use....
Also I want to know if there is any non medicine therapy which are help with weight loss.. I heard now a days non invasive machines are available which helps person lose weight very quickly rather than diet ,physical exercise and medication..Is it worth a try ? or very expensive Treatment option? Also How do we do a spot weight reduction like tummy , Hips and thigh ?
Also any commercial device apporved by medical association available in market that can help with spot reduction?
Also if Orlistat is best for me then can you suggest good supplement which I can addon with orlistat that can take care of the side effects of orlistat..
Awaiting Reply.
Regards,
XXXX
Also I want to know if there is any non medicine therapy which are help with weight loss.. I heard now a days non invasive machines are available which helps person lose weight very quickly rather than diet ,physical exercise and medication..Is it worth a try ? or very expensive Treatment option? Also How do we do a spot weight reduction like tummy , Hips and thigh ?
Also any commercial device apporved by medical association available in market that can help with spot reduction?
Also if Orlistat is best for me then can you suggest good supplement which I can addon with orlistat that can take care of the side effects of orlistat..
Awaiting Reply.
Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Active life style
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back.
There are many weight loss medicines in the markets but orlistat has stood the test of time while many others have gone out of practice due to adverse effects.
Orlistat does not get much absorbed so to cause a kidney problem but some people may have deranged liver enzymes.
Hence even orlistat has it's own demerits.
There are many mechanical options luring patients with fat reduction promises but there is hardly any good result with them in long run.
Life style modification is the safest and the best intervention, if you inculcate healthy habits then you will cut down the weight and you will be able to control rebound weight gain risk.
I hope it will be helpful for you and motivate you to start active life style.
Take care.
Active life style
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back.
There are many weight loss medicines in the markets but orlistat has stood the test of time while many others have gone out of practice due to adverse effects.
Orlistat does not get much absorbed so to cause a kidney problem but some people may have deranged liver enzymes.
Hence even orlistat has it's own demerits.
There are many mechanical options luring patients with fat reduction promises but there is hardly any good result with them in long run.
Life style modification is the safest and the best intervention, if you inculcate healthy habits then you will cut down the weight and you will be able to control rebound weight gain risk.
I hope it will be helpful for you and motivate you to start active life style.
Take care.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
