orlistat and Chronic-Disease

At any one time large numbers of people are attempting to control their weight. Women are the principal consumers of weight-control programs. Their options, outside the prescription drug market and surgical treatment, include diets and diet books, exercise alone or with supervision in exercise facilities, dietary supplements, group programs, doctors, dietitians, psychologists, and other health-care professionals. Non-prescription products available to help people control their weight cover a wide range, including herbal dietary supplements, diet drinks and portion-controlled foods, meal replacements, and low-carbohydrate diets and foods. The introduction of orlistat as an over-the-counter (OTC) product will provide the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved product for weight loss currently in that category since phenylpropanolamine (PPA) was withdrawn by the FDA. The FDA approval process is considerably more expensive than allowing untested herbal supplements to be marketed without testing, but the added safety evaluation by the FDA will reduce the risk of disastrous outcomes that have plagued many approaches to weight control. Support for a place for orlistat as an OTC product includes the inadequacy of current programs, empowerment of the public, lower cost, and bringing pharmacists into weight-control programs. The downside includes improper use of OTC orlistat that may not result in achieving individual expectations.

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Body Image; Body Weight; Books; Chronic Disease; Delivery of Health Care; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; Drug Approval; Female; Food, Formulated; Humans; Lactones; Life Expectancy; Male; Nonprescription Drugs; Obesity; Orlistat; Plant Preparations; Prejudice; Quality of Life; Recurrence; Treatment Outcome; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects one third of American adults. Modest weight losses of just 5% to 10% of body weight, which are achievable with lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy, can lead to remarkable improvements in many obesity-associated co-morbidities, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. In this review, the indications for pharmacotherapy and the goals of treatment are discussed, and current and future pharmacologic approaches to the treatment of obesity are examined. Current pharmacologic therapies for obesity are limited, but recent advances in our understanding of the complex and overlapping endocrine pathways that regulate body weight have led to new opportunities for antiobesity drug development. Important drug targets that are highlighted in this review include adipocyte-derived hormones, hypothalamic neuropeptides, and gastrointestinal hormones.

Topics: Amyloid; Anti-Obesity Agents; Appetite Depressants; Body Weight; Chronic Disease; Comorbidity; Cyclobutanes; Exenatide; Gastrointestinal Hormones; Humans; Islet Amyloid Polypeptide; Lactones; Leptin; Metformin; Obesity; Orlistat; Peptides; Piperidines; Pyrazoles; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rimonabant; Venoms

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD has been associated with obesity and other features of the metabolic syndrome, including insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, and dyslipidemia. As a result, and with a lack of other effective treatments, weight loss achieved through lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise) has been promoted as the standard treatment. However, there is very little empiric evidence to support the effectiveness of weight loss for NAFLD. This article reviews the current literature on the effects of weight loss achieved through lifestyle modification or medications on NAFLD. To date, there have been no randomized controlled trials of weight loss interventions on hepatic pathology. Only three published trials (N = 89 subjects), which include a comparison group, have been published. These studies suggest improvement in liver enzymes and/or hepatic pathology; however, direct between group comparisons are lacking. Four small, nonrandomized studies (N = 59 subjects) have evaluated the effect of weight loss achieved with medications (4 of orlistat, 1 of sibutramine) on NAFLD. These suggest some improvement in liver enzymes and histopathology. Finally, a brief review of observational studies on the association between NAFLD pathology or liver enzymes and diet composition suggests a possible role for the manipulation of macronutrients and/or micronutrients in NAFLD treatment. In summary, there is little empiric evidence to support the role of weight loss achieved through lifestyle modification or medication in the treatment of NAFLD. Rigorously conducted, randomized controlled trials are needed in this area.

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Appetite Depressants; Bariatric Surgery; Chronic Disease; Cyclobutanes; Diet, Reducing; Disease Progression; Fatty Liver; Humans; Lactones; Life Style; Orlistat; Weight Loss

Obesity is a chronic disease requiring a similar long term approach to management as that of other chronic conditions.. This article discusses the role of medications in the overall management of obesity.. Management needs to be multifaceted, aiming to alter the patient and family micro-environment to one favouring better weight control through sustainable behavioural changes to physical activity and diet. Weight loss medications may provide additional benefit. Currently we have only two medications suitable for long term therapy--orlistat and sibutramine. Sibutramine, which acts centrally to suppress appetite, has shown efficacy for up to 2 years. Orlistat, a lipase inhibitor, reduces fat absorption and has been shown to reduce and maintain weight for up to 4 years. The effect of these medications is modest, generally providing less than 5 kg weight loss when compared with placebo. Patients need to have realistic expectations and understand the benefits of sustained modest weight loss. It is important that weight loss medications are prescribed in combination with lifestyle modification.

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Chronic Disease; Cyclobutanes; Diethylpropion; Humans; Lactones; Obesity; Orlistat; Phentermine; Weight Loss

Patients often seek help from their primary care physician for weight loss, so familiarity with pharmacologic options and their risks is important. Anorexiants have been available for decades and are relatively safe. Orlistat and sibutramine are two of the newer medications that patients may have heard about in television, newspaper, and magazine advertising. In addition, patients often ask for advice regarding various herbal or nonprescription medications for weight loss. In this article, the authors help physicians prepare to address these questions.

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Appetite Depressants; Chronic Disease; Contraindications; Cyclobutanes; Humans; Lactones; Obesity; Orlistat

Obesity is a major global public health problem. In many instances, a combination of diet modification, increased physical activity and behavior therapy fail or are insufficient for sustained weight loss. In these situations, drug therapy may be helpful. However, drug treatment of obesity resulted in unexpected devastating events in recent years. In the late sixties, aminorex caused an epidemic of pulmonary hypertension with high mortality rates. Dexfenfluramine and phentermine were also associated with the development of pulmonary hypertension and with alarming reports of cardiac valvular abnormalities. Therefore, these drugs were withdrawn from the market. Newer drugs, like sibutramine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, and orlistat, a specific lipase inhibitor, reduce body weight significantly compared to placebo. In combination with a hypocaloric diet, weight loss of three to ten kilos can be achieved. Pharmacotherapy is limited to patients with a body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2, if non-pharmacological treatment programs have failed. The drugs should be prescribed under strict medical surveillance only.

Topics: Aminorex; Anti-Obesity Agents; Appetite Depressants; Chronic Disease; Combined Modality Therapy; Cyclobutanes; Dexfenfluramine; Diet, Reducing; Drug and Narcotic Control; Germany; Heart Valve Diseases; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Lactones; Obesity; Orlistat; Phentermine

Obesity is epidemic and dangerous. Weight loss is difficult but worth the effort. Although new weight-loss drugs are available, there are no magic bullets: to lose weight and keep it off, people must eat less and exercise more. This article presents a practical approach on how physicians can help their patients lose weight through diet, behavior modification, and adjunctive pharmacologic therapy. An appropriate initial goal is to lose 5% to 10% of one's baseline weight over 3 to 6 months. Drug therapy should not be used in isolation, but it can be an adjunct to diet, exercise, and behavior modification if a patient is committed and able to make necessary changes in eating and activity, and if the patient has a BMI of 30 or higher or a BMI greater than 27 with weight-related comorbid conditions. Anorectic therapy is unlikely to succeed and should be stopped if the patient does not lose at least 4 lb in the first 4 weeks of therapy. Orlistat is unlikely to be of benefit if patients do not lose at least 3% of their baseline weight by 12 weeks. Because obesity is a chronic disease, drug treatment should be continued indefinitely. The physician and patient must understand the intention to treat long-term. The weight loss plan devised should improve upon previous plans: for example, implementing a regular, convenient exercise program that had not been included in the past, or offering pharmacotherapy.

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Antidepressive Agents; Appetite Depressants; Behavior Therapy; Chronic Disease; Cyclobutanes; Diet, Reducing; Exercise; Gastric Bypass; Humans; Lactones; Obesity; Orlistat; Prevalence; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; United States

The medical model of obesity treatment--combining diet, exercise, and behavior modification with antiobesity agents--suffered a setback when fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine were withdrawn from the market because of an association between these medications and valvular regurgitation. The Food and Drug Administration has recently approved sibutramine (Meridia), a norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor that was originally developed as an antidepressant, but which has also been shown to reduce weight. In a 1-year placebo-controlled trial, 65% of patients receiving 15 mg sibutramine daily lost more than 5% of their body weight, compared with 29% of patients receiving a placebo; 39% of patients in the sibutramine group lost more than 10% of their body weight, compared with 8% of patients in the placebo group. Health benefits observed in patients receiving sibutramine include reductions in levels of triglycerides, uric acid, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. Another antiobesity drug currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration is orlistat (Xenical), a pancreatic lipase inhibitor that reduces the absorption of dietary fat by approximately 30%, thus reducing energy intake. In a 1-year placebo-controlled trial, 55% of patients receiving orlistat lost more than 5% of their body weight, and 25% lost more than 10% of their body weight, compared with 33% and 15%, respectively, of patients in the placebo group. In addition, orlistat slowed the rate of weight regain in the second year of treatment. Health benefits demonstrated in clinical trials of orlistat include reduced LDL cholesterol levels and increased levels of HDL cholesterol, reduced blood pressure and fasting insulin levels, improved oral glucose tolerance test outcomes, and improved glycemic control in obese patients with diabetes. The future of the pharmacologic treatment of obesity is promising. Many new antiobesity agents are in the early stages of development, and our understanding of the body's weight-regulating mechanisms is advancing steadily. Human trials of recombinant leptin are underway. Other promising compounds include those that block the Neuropeptide Y5 and Y1 (NY5, NY1) and Melanocortin-4 (MC4) receptors, stimulate uncoupling proteins, and unbind corticotrophin-releasing factor from its binding protein. As better medical treatments for obesity become available, the focus

Topics: Appetite Depressants; Chronic Disease; Cyclobutanes; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Lactones; Lipase; Obesity; Orlistat

This clinical practice guideline for treatment of DSM-5 feeding and eating disorders was conducted as part of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Project 2013-2014.. The CPG was developed in accordance with best practice according to the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. Literature of evidence for treatments of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), other specified and unspecified eating disorders and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) was sourced from the previous RANZCP CPG reviews (dated to 2009) and updated with a systematic review (dated 2008-2013). A multidisciplinary working group wrote the draft CPG, which then underwent expert, community and stakeholder consultation, during which process additional evidence was identified.. In AN the CPG recommends treatment as an outpatient or day patient in most instances (i.e. in the least restrictive environment), with hospital admission for those at risk of medical and/or psychological compromise. A multi-axial and collaborative approach is recommended, including consideration of nutritional, medical and psychological aspects, the use of family based therapies in younger people and specialist therapist-led manualised based psychological therapies in all age groups and that include longer-term follow-up. A harm minimisation approach is recommended in chronic AN. In BN and BED the CPG recommends an individual psychological therapy for which the best evidence is for therapist-led cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). There is also a role for CBT adapted for internet delivery, or CBT in a non-specialist guided self-help form. Medications that may be helpful either as an adjunctive or alternative treatment option include an antidepressant, topiramate, or orlistat (the last for people with comorbid obesity). No specific treatment is recommended for ARFID as there are no trials to guide practice.. Specific evidence based psychological and pharmacological treatments are recommended for most eating disorders but more trials are needed for specific therapies in AN, and research is urgently needed for all aspects of ARFID assessment and management.. Associate Professor Susan Byrne, Dr Angelica Claudino, Dr Anthea Fursland, Associate Professor Jennifer Gaudiani, Dr Susan Hart, Ms Gabriella Heruc, Associate Professor Michael Kohn, Dr Rick Kausman, Dr Sarah Maguire, Ms Peta Marks, Professor Janet Treasure and Mr Andrew Wallis.

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Antidepressive Agents; Australia; Chronic Disease; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Fructose; Harm Reduction; Humans; Lactones; New Zealand; Obesity; Orlistat; Psychiatry; Societies, Medical; Topiramate

Kidney transplantation in obese patients [body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m(2)] is associated with a poorer outcome, and these patients are therefore often excluded from transplant waiting lists. Conventional weight loss strategies based on a high fibre, low energy diet and exercise are often unsuitable in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. A comprehensive multidisciplinary weight management programme comprising a low fat, reduced energy diet, individual exercise prescription and pharmacotherapy with orlistat 120 mg tds, was initiated to determine whether obese patients with CKD could reach an acceptable weight for transplantation.. Thirty-two patients who completed 12 months in the programme were monitored regularly for weight and waist circumference measures as well as exercise performance tests. Twenty-two patients formed a contemporaneous control group. Exercise performance tests included the 6 min timed walk test (6MTWT), sit to stand transfers in 60 s (STS60), timed up and go 3 m (TUAG) and the Duke's activity status index (DASI), a measure of functional ability.. Friedman's test analyses were performed to assess differences between baseline and 12-month data. Mean body weight reduced by 7.1% from 102.9 kg to 95.7 kg (P<0.001) This equates to a reduction in BMI from 35.7 kg/m(2) at baseline to 33.2 kg/m(2) at 12 months. Waist circumference decreased by 12.9 cm from 112.9 cm to 100.0 cm (P<0.005) at 12 months. The 6MTWT improved by 45% (P<0.001), STS60 by 30% (P<0.001), TUAG by 37% (P<0.001) and DASI by 50% (P<0.001) after 12 months. To date, two of the patients have received live-related renal transplants and an additional seven patients have now been successfully enrolled onto the transplant waiting list.. Preliminary experience from this multidisciplinary programme combining diet, exercise and orlistat suggests that significant weight loss and improved physical functioning can be achieved in obese CKD patients, potentially allowing them the opportunity of kidney transplantation and the associated benefits of this compared with long-term dialysis.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Obesity Agents; Chronic Disease; Combined Modality Therapy; Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Lactones; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Orlistat; Patient Care Team; Weight Loss

Topics: Adult; Anti-Obesity Agents; Chronic Disease; Clozapine; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Lactones; Male; Obesity; Orlistat; Schizophrenia