How much weight loss should patients anticipate with nonprescription orlistat?
Onset of weight loss is generally seen within 2 weeks of therapy and maximum weight loss often occurs around 6 months. In clinical studies of mildly obese individuals (BMIs of 25 to 28 kg/m2) with orlistat 60 mg, mean weight loss was 1.6 kg after 4 months of treatment. In patients with baseline BMIs ranging from 28 to 43 kg/m2, pooled study data reveal that 42% of patients receiving orlistat 60 mg achieved weight loss of ≥ 5% after 6 months of treatment (average weight loss 2.3 kg).
