This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.

To provide guidance on the use of orlistat for the treatment of obesity in adults.

Guidance:

1.1 Orlistat should only be prescribed for people who have lost at least 2.5kg in weight by dietary control and increased physical activity alone in the month prior to the first prescription and meet one of the following criteria:

1.1.1 a body mass index (BMI) of 28 kg/m2 or more in the presence of significant co-morbidities which persist despite standard treatment (e.g. Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and/or high total cholesterol level).

1.1.2 a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more with no associated co-morbidities. Orlistat should only be prescribed for people between the ages of 18 and 75 years.

1.2 When treatment with orlistat is offered, arrangements should be made for appropriate health professionals to offer specific concomitant advice, support and counselling on diet, physical activity and behavioural strategies.

1.3 Continuation of this therapy beyond three months should be supported by evidence of a loss of at least a further 5% of body weight from the start of drug treatment.

1.4 Continuation of this therapy beyond six months should be supported by evidence of a cumulative weight loss of at least 10% of body weight from the start of drug treatment.

1.5 Treatment should not usually be continued beyond 12 months, and never beyond 24 months.