This is a medication commonly prescribed alongside diet drugs. It's orlistat, a fat absorption inhibitor — sometimes nicknamed the 'dinner party pill.' (Since you tend to eat more at dinner parties, it helps reduce some of the absorption. But that doesn't mean you should overeat.) Its pharmacological mechanism is as a lipase inhibitor. Lipase is an enzyme secreted by the pancreas that is essential for the digestion and absorption of dietary fat. Orlistat inhibits the action of lipase in the gastrointestinal tract, restricting the digestion and absorption of consumed fat. As a result, approximately 30% of consumed fat is excreted, leading to weight loss.
It genuinely has fat absorption-blocking effects and shows excellent weight loss and visceral fat reduction benefits.
It comes in 60mg and 120mg doses. The higher dose is more effective, of course. Take it 3 times daily, with meals or within 1 hour after eating. Common side effects include oily stools, increased bowel movements, and loose stools. The stool may look like it has oily residue. Some patients who weren't informed of these side effects sometimes panic thinking they have bloody stool. However, these side effects decrease over time after starting the medication. Early on, when you feel the urge to use the bathroom or pass gas, it's best to head to the restroom immediately. In my own experience, oily and loose stools were common for about 2 weeks, but after that, I no longer noticed any side effects. And when I checked my body composition (InBody test), visceral fat had decreased significantly. That feeling of being healthier — you know what I mean? Obesity is the root of many diseases. Wouldn't it be great if we could lose weight with just proper diet and exercise alone? But it doesn't work that easily... I know because I've been there. With that in mind, taking medication that helps with appetite control and weight loss with minimal side effects is certainly worth considering.
