Question

. Although Tumelo responds well to the new treatment, his doctor is concerned that his weight will aggravate his condition. Lifestyle changes have not reduced his weight, and thus he decides to prescribe an anti-obesity drug to facilitate his weight loss. Between the drugs available for appetite suppressants and lipase inhibitors, i) suggest a drug that would be appropriate to use, ii) explain how this drug would pharmacologically cause weight loss, iii) suggest a side effect which may be experienced, and iv) explain why the other drug class would not be appropriate to treat him.

Answer 1

Answer :

i) The medication which has both anti apetite and lipase inhibitor is Orlistat. it's trade name is Xenical and Alli. Olrlistat is in a class of medications called lipase inhibitors.

Orlistat is a drug that used to treat obesity. Its primary function is preventing the absorption of fast from the human diet by acting as a lipase inhibitor, thereby reducing calorie intake.

ii) Orlistat works by inhibiting gastric and pancreatic lipase, the enzymes that break down tryglycerides in the intestine. When lipase activity is blocked, triglycerides from the diet are not hydrolyzed into absorbable free fatty acids, and instead are excreted unchanged. Only trace amounts of orlistat are absorbed systemically; the primary effect is local lipase inhibition within the GI tract after an oral dose. The primary route of elimination is through the feces.

Orlistat was also recently found to inhibit the thioesterase domain of fatty acids synthase (FAS), an enzyme involved in the prolifeeration of cancer cells but not normal cells. However, potential side effects of Orlistat, such as inhibition of other cellular off-targets or poor bioavailability, might hamper its application as an effective antitumor agent.

iii) Changes in bowel function often occur because of the unabsorbed fat. Fatty/ oil stool, oily spotting, intestinal gas with discharege , a feeling of needing to have a bowel movement right away, increased number of bowel movements, or poor bowel control may occur. These side effect may get worse if eat more fat than adequate.

iv) Orlistat has two mechanisms of action both decrease the appetite and helping hydrolysis of the already formed fat in body. So this drug at a time has effect on two aspects of obesity, unlike other medications. The combined effect of this medications help in reducing obesity. Orlistat is recommended for overweight and previous weight-reducing efforts have not worked. Orlistat has no known severe and serious interaction wirh other drugs.