FIRST CLINICAL-STUDIES WITH ORLISTAT - A SHORT REVIEW

Lipase inhibition, leading to decreased intestinal fat adbsorption can be used in the treatment of obesity, Orlistat, a lipase inhibitor, in a dose of 50 mg three times a day leads to a significant increase in weight loss compared to placebo in moderately obese people, These resu lts are confirmed in a multiple-dose study using 10 mg,60 mg and 120 m g Orlistat three times a day vs, placebo, The use of lipase inhibition has no significant influence on fasting levels of several hormonal sy stems,including thyroid hormones, catecholamines and IGF-I, The same i s true for the responses of several gastrointestinal and pancreatic ho rmones after a liquid high-fat mixed meal, In general, Orlistat is tol erated very well, although a higher occurence of gastrointestinal side effects is seen.