Does Orlistat Work?

Orlistat may sound like a kind of weight loss cream, but its actually a prescription and over-the-counter weight loss supplement that is supposed to help you slim down by reducing the amount of dietary fat you actually absorb.  It has been developed and sold by two pharmaceutical giants (Roche and GlaxoSmithKline) and definitely has a lot of research behind it in order to be approved by the FDA for use in treating obesity, but Orlistat is far from a miracle treatment. On average, participants in clinical trials for Orlistat lost between 4-6 pounds more than the control group over the course of a year.

The chemical name for Orlistat is tetrahydrolipstatin, which is a pancreatic lipase inhibitor. It comes in 60 mg doses for OTC Orlistat (sold as “Alli”) or 120 mg for prescription Xenical.

Without lipase, your body can’t break down the fat you eat into shorter fatty acids that can be absorbed in your bloodstream and stored around the body.  Since the primary effect of Orlistat is to keep you from absorbing calories rather than helping you to eat less or burn more calories, it is definitely not going to help you if you just end up compensating the lack of fat eating more carbohydrates, since your body can actually turn starch into fat.

Orlistat Side Effects

Since you no longer digest the oils and fats you eat, you can imagine that your trips to the restroom are going to get a little crazy.  For this reason, it is suggested that you cut back on the fats you eat to begin with.  Even in this case however, you may experience some of the following:

• Oily leakage onto underwear or clothing.
• Excess gas
• Loose, oily stools
• Uncontrollable diarrhea
• Rectal pain
• Stomach pain
• Difficulty absorbing fat-soluble vitamins and beta carotene (should take with a vitamin supplement)
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Headache
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Others: Back pain, arthritis, myalgia, tendinitis, urinary tract infection, vaginitis, upper respiratory infection, dry skin, and rash.

Is Orlistat Guaranteed?

Fortunately yes, your first month of Orlistat comes with a 90 day money back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with the results or if you are just a little overwhelmed by the side effects, you can the the purchase price less shipping back.  Since the side effects may be more noticeable than the intended weight loss, it is definitely hard to say whether you think it’s worth $55 per month.

Orlistat Pros

• Effectively blocks lipase function
• Well-studied and clinically proven
• Money-back guarantee

Orlistat Cons

• Very modest results (1/2 pound per month)
• Unpleasant, even disgusting side effects

Is Orlistat Worth Trying?

Of the three typical weight loss strategies available from weight loss creams and other products (fat-blocking, metabolic acceleration, appetite suppression), blocking fat through lipase inhibiting may provide the most modest results.  The reason is that it is very easy to get cravings and end up eating more if your body isn’t able to digest the fatty foods you’re eating.  That’s why clinical trials had a hard time coming up with anything better than 6 extra pounds of weight loss per year.  If you don’t mind soiling your underwear every once in a while and paying the $55 per month, then go for it, but you’re not going to see serious weight loss with Orlistat unless you’re dedicated to a diet/exercise program already.

 

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