Orlistat Polpharma (Orlistat)

Orlistat Polpharma is indicated for conditions that involve excess body weight and works within the gastrointestinal fat‑absorption pathway.

• Obesity: helps achieve clinically significant weight loss when combined with diet therapy.
• Overweight: supports modest weight reduction as an adjunct to lifestyle modification.
• Weight‑related comorbidities: contributes to improvement of risk factors such as elevated cholesterol and blood glucose.

• Orlistat acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract by covalently binding to the active site of gastric and pancreatic lipases. This inhibition prevents the enzymatic hydrolysis of dietary triglycerides, thereby reducing the absorption of about 30% of ingested fat and decreasing caloric intake without systemic exposure.

Adverse reactions to Orlistat Polpharma are primarily related to its effect on fat digestion.

Common Side Effects

• Oily spotting on undergarments.
• Fecal urgency or increased frequency.
• Flatulence with oily discharge.
• Abdominal cramping or discomfort.
• Loose, oily stools.
• Increased defecation volume.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Severe abdominal pain.
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea.
• Pancreatitis.
• Acute liver injury (rare).
• Allergic reactions such as rash, pruritus or angioedema.
• Steatorrhea leading to fat‑soluble vitamin deficiencies.

Before initiating therapy with Orlistat Polpharma, consider the following precautions:

• Assess body mass index (BMI): confirm patient meets BMI criteria for obesity or overweight treatment.
• Evaluate nutritional status: ensure adequate intake of vitamins A, D, E and K.
• Monitor gastrointestinal health: avoid use in patients with chronic malabsorption syndromes.
• Review concomitant medications: assess for potential interactions that may affect absorption of fat‑soluble drugs.
• Counsel on low‑fat diet: advise patients to limit dietary fat to ≤30 g per meal to reduce side‑effects.
• Store at ambient temperature: keep in the original container, protect from moisture and heat.

Orlistat Polpharma can affect the absorption of several co‑administered medicines.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Cyclosporine: reduced systemic exposure may compromise transplant efficacy.
• Levothyroxine: decreased absorption can lead to sub‑therapeutic thyroid levels.
• Warfarin: altered vitamin K absorption may affect anticoagulation control.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

• Orally administered HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir): monitor plasma concentrations.
• Fat‑soluble vitamin supplements: may require dose adjustment or separate dosing timing.
• Lipid‑lowering agents (e.g., fenofibrate): observe for changes in lipid profile.