Safety and mechanism of action of orlistat (tetrahydrolipstatin) as the first local antiobesity drug

Abstract

The benefits of orlistat, a new anti-obesity drug, have been assessed in this mini-review. The mechanism of action,as well as the clinical privilege of this peripheral acting drug on central acting drugs such as sibutramine,was discussed. Mono-and combined therapies for controlling the obesity are reported in short and long-term therapy. Data were collected using MEDLINE search drug (June 1998-February 2005) using the terms: orlistat, sibutramine, obesity, overweight and antiobesity drug. Relevant references cited in the bibliography of related article also included were as possible. The search was not limitedby language, gender or age, however only human sample has been consider. The aim of this review article is to assess the therapeutic efficacy of orlistat in glance.