What does Orlistat capsules do?

Orlistat (Orlistat) is a reversible inhibitor of gastrointestinal lipase. It exerts its therapeutic activity in the lumen of the stomach and small intestine by forming covalent bonds with active serine residue sites of gastric and pancreatic lipases. Therefore, the inactivated enzyme is unable to hydrolyze dietary fat in the form of triglycerides into absorbable free fatty acids and monoglycerides. Since undigested triglycerides are not absorbed, the resulting caloric deficit may have a positive impact on weight control. Systemic exposure to orlistat is minimal. Following oral administration of 360 mg of 14C-orlistat, plasma radioactivity peaked at approximately 8 hours; plasma concentrations of intact orlistat were near the limit of detection (<5 ng/mL).