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Obesity - Management
For how long should treatment with orlistat continue?
- Treatment with orlistat should only continue beyond 3 months if the person has lost at least 5% of their body weight, as measured at the start of drug treatment [ABPI Medicines Compendium, 2006; NICE, 2006b].
- There is no restriction on how long orlistat may be prescribed [ABPI Medicines Compendium, 2006]. Expert opinion is that, after 12 months, a decision to continue treatment should be taken on an individual basis, weighing up the benefits, costs, and risks for that person. This should be reviewed at regular intervals.
Clarification / Additional information
- Rates of weight loss may be slower in people with type 2 diabetes, so less strict goals may be appropriate. These goals should be agreed with the person and reviewed regularly [NICE, 2006b].
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