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Obesity - Management
What adverse effects are associated with orlistat?
- Gastrointestinal adverse effects are common (e.g. oily spotting, abdominal discomfort, faecal urgency, fatty stools). These usually reduce with continued use of orlistat and can often be reduced by limiting fat intake [ABPI Medicines Compendium, 2006].
- Malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K, and beta-carotene) is a theoretical concern, but this is not an issue for most people treated in primary care [National Obesity Forum, 2005]. Routine vitamin supplementation is not necessary.
- Very rarely (< 1/10,000) hepatitis and cholelithiasis have been reported [MHRA, 2010].
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