Orlistat

EUEMA:by INNUSDailyMed:OrlistatUSFDA:Orlistat AU:B1 A08AB01(WHO) AU:S3(Pharmacist only)CA:℞-onlyUK:P (Pharmacy medicines) / POMUS:OTC/ Rx-onlyEU:OTC / Rx-only (S)-((S)-1-((2S,3S)-3-Hexyl-4-oxooxetan-2-yl)tridecan-2-yl) 2-formamido-4-methylpentanoate 96829-58-2Y 3034010 5277 DB01083N 2298564Y 95M8R751W8 D04028Y CHEBI:94686N ChEMBL175247Y DTXSID8023395 Interactive image O=C(O[C@H](C[C@@H]1OC(=O)[C@H]1CCCCCC)CCCCCCCCCCC)[C@@H](NC=O)CC(C)C InChI=1S/C29H53NO5/c1-5-7-9-11-12-13-14-15-16-18-24(34-29(33)26(30-22-31)20-23(3)4)21-27-25(28(32)35-27)19-17-10-8-6-2/h22-27H,5-21H2,1-4H3,(H,30,31)/t24-,25-,26-,27-/m0/s1YKey:AHLBNYSZXLDEJQ-FWEHEUNISA-NY Orlistat, sold under the brand nameXenicalamong others, is amedicationused to treatobesity. Its primary function is preventing the absorption of fats from the human diet by acting as alipase inhibitor, thereby reducingcaloricintake. It is intended for use in conjunction with a healthcare provider-supervisedreduced-calorie diet. Orlistat is thesaturatedderivative oflipstatin, a potentnaturalinhibitor ofpancreatic lipasesisolated from thebacteriumStreptomyces toxytricini.However, due to its relative simplicity and stability, orlistat was chosen over lipstatin for development as ananti-obesity drug. The effectiveness of orlistat in promotingweight lossis definite but modest. Pooled data fromclinical trialssuggest that people given orlistat in addition to lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise, lose about 2–3 kilograms (4–7 lb) more than those not taking the drug over the course of a year.Orlistat also modestly reducesblood pressureand appears to prevent the onset oftype 2 diabetes, whether from the weight loss itself or other effects. It reduces the incidence of diabetes type II in people who are obese around the same amount that lifestyle changes do. Benefits aside, however, orlistat is noted for its gastrointestinalside effects(sometimes referred to astreatment effects), which can includesteatorrhea(oily, loose stools). They decrease with time, however, and are the most frequently reported adverse effects of the drug.In Australia, the United States and the European Union, orlistat is available for salewithout a prescription.Over-the-counter approval was controversial in the United States, withconsumer advocacygroupPublic Citizenrepeatedly opposing it on safety and efficacy grounds.Genericformulations of orlistat are available in some countries. In Australia it has been listed as an S3 medication, available from a pharmacist without a prescription, since 2000.