Overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes achieved significant weight loss and improved glucose control when they took the weight-control drug orlistat for one year. The patients were taking insulin or insulin combined with oral agents, and none had optimal metabolic control.

In the study, patients taking orlistat had lost significantly more weight than those taking a placebo after one year (3.89 percent of body weight vs 1.27 percent). Their HbA1c decreased 62 percent, compared to 27 percent in those taking placebo. Their required doses of insulin and other diabetic medications were also reduced to a greater extent than those taking placebo, and their serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were also reduced.

Related information: Lifestyle - Diet | Nutrition channel - weight management

Source:  Kelley DE, Bray GA, Pi-Sunyer FX, et al. Clinical efficacy of orlistat therapy in overweight and obese patients with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, June 2002;25:1033-1041. (Abs.)