Question

A patient who has received a prescription for orlistat [Xenical] for weight loss asks the nurse how the drug works. The nurse will tell the patient that orlistat works by:

a.altering how the body stores energy.
b.reducing the body's absorption of fats.
c.increasing the body's metabolic rate.
d.suppressing the appetite.

Answer 1

Orlistat [Xenical] works by reducing the absorption of fats in the body, hence aiding in weight loss. It blocks lipases in the gut, preventing fat digestion, leading to its excretion instead of absorption.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient who has received a prescription for orlistat [Xenical] for weight loss inquires about how the drug functions. As a healthcare professional, you can explain that orlistat assists with weight loss by reducing the body's absorption of fats. It works by inhibiting the action of lipases in the gut. This means that some of the fat in the diet is not digested and is excreted in the feces instead of being absorbed into the body. This leads to a reduction in caloric intake and helps the patient with weight loss when used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet.

While orlistat assists in weight management through fat absorption reduction, it is important to emphasize to the patient the necessity for accompanying lifestyle changes such as improved diet and increased physical activity for optimal results and sustained weight control.

Orlistat, also known as Xenical, works by reducing the body's absorption of fats. When taken with a meal, the drug attaches to the enzymes in the digestive system that break down fat, preventing them from fully absorbing the fat content of the meal. As a result, a portion of the ingested fat passes through the body undigested.