Slimtop Fat Blockers

Orlistat (Slim Top) is a medicine that helps people lose weight. It is sold under the brand names Xenical and Alli. Orlistat works by blocking fat in foods from being digested and absorbed by the body. The undigested fat then passes out of the body in bowel movements.

In clinical trials, orlistat 120 mg taken 3 times per day has shown:

• Greater weight loss compared to placebo over 1-2 years, with placebo-subtracted weight loss of 2.6-2.9%
• 21-26% of patients achieving ≥5% weight loss vs 12% with placebo
• Improved weight maintenance over 2-4 years compared to placebo

Orlistat blocks an enzyme called lipase that normally breaks down fat in the intestines. When lipase is blocked, the undigested fat cannot be absorbed and is removed from the body. This helps promote weight loss in two ways:

1. Fewer calories are absorbed. Since some of the fat calories pass through the body undigested, the total amount of calories absorbed is reduced. This can help create a calorie deficit needed for weight loss.
2. It discourages eating high fat foods. Knowing that eating fatty foods will lead to loose stools or anal leakage, people tend to avoid consuming too much fat when taking orlistat. This helps reduce overall calorie intake.

Studies show that people taking orlistat lose 2-3 pounds more on average than people not taking the medicine. Over 1-2 years, orlistat use resulted in average weight loss of 5-10 pounds.

Orlistat is approved for use in adults aged 18 and older who have a body mass index (BMI) of 28 or higher. It can also be used in people with a BMI of 27 or higher if they have other obesity-related medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.Orlistat should only be used by people who are overweight or obese. It is not meant for people of normal weight. The medicine works best when combined with a low-calorie diet and exercise program supervised by a doctor.People with eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia should not use orlistat. The fat blocking effects could worsen eating disorder symptoms.

Orlistat is taken by mouth, usually 3 times per day during or up to 1 hour after meals. The regular prescription dose is 120 mg taken before meals containing fat. The over-the-counter Alli dose is 60 mg.No more than 30% of calories at a meal should come from fat when taking orlistat. Higher fat meals increase the risk of digestive side effects. If a meal is skipped or contains no fat, the orlistat dose can be skipped too.Orlistat can be taken during weight maintenance to help prevent regaining lost weight. Long-term use for more than 12 months may be recommended by a doctor.

When combined with diet and exercise, taking orlistat offers several benefits:

• Promotes weight loss by blocking fat absorption
• Discourages eating high fat foods to avoid side effects
• Produces more weight loss compared to diet and exercise alone
• May help lower cholesterol and blood pressure
• Can help prevent regaining weight after initial weight loss

Studies show that using orlistat for 1 year or longer may also reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 37% in obese people.

The most common side effects of orlistat relate to digestive symptoms caused by the undigested fat passing through the intestines. Possible side effects include:

• Oily spotting on underwear
• Gas and oily discharge from the anus
• Loose or urgent bowel movements
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Fatty/oily stools
• Fecal incontinence or uncontrolled bowel movements

These side effects are usually worse when eating high fat meals and tend to improve over time with continued use. Taking a low fat diet can help minimize these effects.Less common side effects include headaches, back pain, nausea, fatigue, and respiratory infections. Severe liver injury has also been reported in rare cases.

The FDA reviewed reports of severe liver injury associated with Xenical, a brand for Orlistat. Between 1999-2009, there were 12 foreign reports of severe liver injury, including 2 deaths and 3 liver transplants

Certain people should avoid taking orlistat, including:

• Those with malabsorption or digestion problems
• People with chronic malabsorption syndrome
• Those with cholestasis (bile flow problems)
• Anyone allergic to orlistat
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Children under 12 years old

People with kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes should consult a doctor before using orlistat due to the increased risk of side effects.

Orlistat can interact with certain medications. These interactions can affect how well the drugs work. People taking medicines should consult a doctor or pharmacist before using orlistat.Some examples of medications that may interact with orlistat include:

• Cyclosporine
• Blood thinners like warfarin
• Thyroid medications like levothyroxine
• Anticonvulsants for seizures
• Antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS

Orlistat can also interfere with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. A daily multivitamin can help ensure adequate vitamin intake while using orlistat.