The Effect of Xenical on Weight, Risk Factors and Burden of Medication

Obesity is associated with numerous chronic diseases and increased cardiovascular mortality. It is also an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in addition to being associated with diabetes and CVD risk factors. Weight loss interventions that target body fat reductions are associated with reductions in cholesterol levels, blood pressure and fasting glucose. Xenical (orlistat) is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor which results in a reduction in the absorption of exogenous fat. Studies of up to two years duration have demonstrated that those taking Xenical plus diet lost significantly more weight than those taking placebo plus diet. Coincident with this were decreases in cholesterol levels. The use of Xenical in Type 2 diabetic patients being treated with sulfonylurea resulted in greater discontinuation of the sulfonylurea plus a greater reduction in sulfonylurea dosage compared to placebo. The use of Xenical in the clinical environment has the potential to improve CVD risk factors and potentially reduce the burden of other medications.This is a pilot study to investigate the effectiveness of Xenical on cardiovascular risk factors in the patients of St. Paul's Hospital Lipid Clinic.