Dangers of weight loss with Orlistat

The hazards (side effects) of using Orlistat (Orlistat) for weight loss include:

1. Gastrointestinal tract: The most common side effect of orlistat use is steatorrhea, which is caused by impaired absorption of dietary fat. Other side effects include stool spots, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anal fissures. Ongoing orlistat treatment may reduce gastrointestinal side effects. These adverse effects can be reduced by following a low-calorie and low-fat diet, containing less than30% of calories from fat. [9] Rarely, orlistat has been associated with cholelithiasis, pancreatitis, and acute cholestatic hepatitis.

2. Hepatotoxicity: Cases of hepatotoxicity range from elevated serum enzymes to a small number of fatal liver failure requiring emergency liver transplantation. The proposed mechanism of hepatotoxicity is a hypersensitivity reaction, since only small amounts of orlistat are absorbed. However, clinical features of hypersensitivity reactions are not present in orlistat-induced hepatotoxicity.

3. Kidney: Orlistat can increase the risk of acute kidney injury; this is because unabsorbed fat combines with calcium in the intestinal lumen, resulting in excess oxalate, which is absorbed and deposited in the kidneys, leading to oxalate nephropathy and increasing the risk of kidney stones.

4. Musculoskeletal: Orlistat increases the risk of osteoporosis due to impaired absorption of calcium and vitamin D.

5. Oncology: Animal studies have shown that orlistat increases the risk of colorectal cancer. Orlistat is known to inhibit the synthesis of fatty acid synthase (Fas), an enzyme that increases tumor growth. Additionally, orlistat has been shown to have antitumor activity against ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer cells in various animal studies. There are rare case reports linking orlistat use to hypertension, diabetic ketoacidosis, depression, cutaneous vasculitis, lichenoid rash, and vaginitis. But the relationship between orlistat and these side effects remains unproven.