Manufacturer: Intas Pharmaceuticals, India
Pharmaceutical name: Orlistat
Pack: 10 caps (120 mg)
Obelit is utilized alongside a reduced-calorie diet and weight maintenance strategies to address obesity in individuals with specific risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol or triglycerides.
Obelit acts as a reversible lipase inhibitor. Its therapeutic effects take place in the stomach and small intestine by forming a covalent bond with the active serine residue on gastric and pancreatic lipases. This action renders the enzymes inactive, preventing the hydrolysis of dietary fat in triglyceride form into absorbable free fatty acids and monoglycerides. As a result, undigested triglycerides are not absorbed, leading to a caloric deficit that can positively influence weight management. Therefore, systemic absorption of Obelit is not essential for its effectiveness. At the suggested therapeutic dose of 120 mg three times daily, Obelit is estimated to inhibit approximately 30% of dietary fat absorption.
Ongoing treatment for obese individuals or those who are overweight, including those with risks associated with adiposity, should be combined with a moderate hypocaloric diet. It can also be employed with hypoglycemic agents (such as metformin, Sulfonylurea medications, and/or insulin) or alongside a moderate hypocaloric diet in patients with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity.
Obelit is not advised for use in individuals who: have an allergy to any component of Obelit; experience persistent food absorption issues (chronic malabsorption); have gallbladder disorders; or suffer from cholestasis (a condition affecting bile flow from the liver to the intestines);
Signs of bowel movement urgency; gas accompanied by discharge; inability to control bowel movements; an increased frequency of bowel movements; oily discharge; oily or fatty stools; oily spotting.
Other serious adverse reactions may include severe allergic responses (such as rash; hives; itching; breathing difficulties; chest tightness; swelling in the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); and severe or ongoing abdominal pain.
The risk of side effects, including bleeding, may increase when taking anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) alongside Orlistat.
Obelit may significantly reduce the effectiveness of Cyclosporine. For optimal absorption of Cyclosporine into the bloodstream, it should be taken at least 2 hours before or after Orlistat.