Background: To determine the effectiveness, persistence of use, adverse reactions, interactions of orlistat and liraglutide taken for weight loss by a group of obese patients in Colombia.
Research design and methods: A retrospective follow-up study of a cohort of patients with obesity treated with orlistat or liraglutide. Sociodemographic, clinical, and pharmacological variables were identified. The effectiveness for weight loss at 12-16 and 52 weeks, persistence of use, and safety were determined.
Results: A total of 294 patients were followed up. At 12-16 weeks after starting orlistat and liraglutide, weight losses of -1.2kg (p=0.002) and -4.1kg (p<0.001) were observed, respectively, and at 52 weeks, reductions of -1.6kg (p=0.208) and -7.8kg (p<0.001) were observed. A total of 8.8% and 31.3% of patients treated with orlistat and liraglutide, respectively, persisted with treatment 1 year after initiation. A total of 17.3% had adverse drug reactions. Older adults with grade II or III obesity who performed physical activity and those treated with liraglutide were more likely to have lost at least 5% of their body weight at 12-16 weeks.
Conclusion: Orlistat and liraglutide users presented weight loss at 12-16 weeks. However, this effect was greater and sustained with liraglutide, especially when combined with physical activity.
Keywords: (MeSH): liraglutide; obesity; orlistat; pharmacoepidemiology; pharmacovigilance; weight loss.