Orlistat  reduced body weight ( weighted mean difference : −2.12 , p < 0.001 ) , total‐cholesterol ( weighted mean difference : −0.30 mmol/L , p < 0.001 ) , low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ( weighted mean difference : −0.27 mmol/L , p < 0.001 ) , high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ( weighted mean difference : −0.034 mmol/L , p < 0.001 ) and triglyceride ( weighted mean difference : −0.09 mmol/L , p < 0.001 ) concentrations , while no effect on lipoprotein(a ) was observed .
Total‐ and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol‐lowering were associated negatively with duration of orlistat treatment and positively with body weight changes .
In conclusion , Orlistat treatment slightly reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels , but not lipoprotein(a ) levels .
Total‐ and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels reductions are more consistent in patients with greater body weight reduction and shorter duration of orlistat treatment .
We investigated the efficacy of orlistat on plasma lipids and body weight in a meta‐ analysis of 33 studies including 9732  participants .Orlistat  was associated with a slight but significant decrease in body weight , plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations , whereas plasma Lp(a ) levels were not affected by orlistat treatment .
Greater body weight reduction and lower duration of orlistat treatment promoted more consistent plasma total‐ and LDL‐cholesterol lowering
& NA ; Orlistat , an inhibitor of intestinal lipase , promotes body weight reduction .
The lipid‐lowering efficacy of orlistat is controversial and the effect of orlistat‐induced body weight reduction on lipid changes has not been explored in meta‐regression analyses .
HighlightsOrlistat is an inhibitor of intestinal lipase promoting body weight reduction , but whose lipid‐lowering efficacy is controversial .
A randomized double-blind study comparing the efficacy and safety of orlistat versus placebo in obese patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.
INTRODUCTION Obesity is a chronic disease and a serious health problem that leads to increased prevalence of diabetes , hypertension , dyslipidemia and gallbladder disease . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of orlistat for weight loss and improved lipid profile compared to placebo in obese patients with hypercholesterolemia , treated over a period of 6 months . METHODOLOGY In a 6-month , multicenter ( 10 centers in Portugal ) , double-blind , parallel , placebo-controlled study , 166 patients , aged 18 - 65 years , body mass index ( BMI ) > or = 27 kg/m2 , LDL cholesterol > 155 mg/dl , were r and omized to a reduced calorie diet ( 600 kcal/day  deficit ) plus orlistat three times a day or placebo .  Exclusion criteria included triglycerides > 400 mg/dl , severe cardiovascular disease , uncontrolled hypertension , type 1 or 2 diabetes under pharmacological treatment , and gastrointestinal or pancreatic disease . RESULTS The mean difference in weight from baseline was 5.9 % ( 5.6 kg ) in the orlistat group vs. 2.3 % ( 2.2 kg ) in the placebo group . In the orlistat group 49 % of patients achieved 5 - 10 % weight loss and 8.8 % achieved > 10 % . The orlistat group showed a significant reduction in total and LDL cholesterol , with similar changes for HDL in both treatment groups . The frequency of gastrointestinal adverse events was slightly higher in the orlistat group than in the placebo group , leading to discontinuation in 7 patients . CONCLUSION Treatment with orlistat plus a reduced calorie diet for 6 months achieved significant reductions in weight , BMI and lipid parameters
Orlistat  reduced body weight ( weighted mean difference : −2.12 , p < 0.001 ) , total‐cholesterol ( weighted mean difference : −0.30 mmol/L , p < 0.001 ) , low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ( weighted mean difference : −0.27 mmol/L , p < 0.001 ) , high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ( weighted mean difference : −0.034 mmol/L , p < 0.001 ) and triglyceride ( weighted mean difference : −0.09 mmol/L , p < 0.001 ) concentrations , while no effect on lipoprotein(a ) was observed .
Total‐ and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol‐lowering were associated negatively with duration of orlistat treatment and positively with body weight changes .
In conclusion , Orlistat treatment slightly reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels , but not lipoprotein(a ) levels .
Total‐ and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels reductions are more consistent in patients with greater body weight reduction and shorter duration of orlistat treatment .
We investigated the efficacy of orlistat on plasma lipids and body weight in a meta‐ analysis of 33 studies including 9732  participants .Orlistat  was associated with a slight but significant decrease in body weight , plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations , whereas plasma Lp(a ) levels were not affected by orlistat treatment .
Greater body weight reduction and lower duration of orlistat treatment promoted more consistent plasma total‐ and LDL‐cholesterol lowering
& NA ; Orlistat , an inhibitor of intestinal lipase , promotes body weight reduction .
The lipid‐lowering efficacy of orlistat is controversial and the effect of orlistat‐induced body weight reduction on lipid changes has not been explored in meta‐regression analyses .
HighlightsOrlistat is an inhibitor of intestinal lipase promoting body weight reduction , but whose lipid‐lowering efficacy is controversial .