This article compares the safety profiles of two anti-obesity agents, orlistat and sibutramine, using post-marketing prescription-event monitoring studies. The study therefore provides information on these products in a general practice context. A total of 16,021 and 12,336 patients on orlistat and sibutramine, respectively, were included in the analysis. The main reason for stopping orlistat treatment within 3 months was diarrhea (gastrointestinal system effects) while hypertension was the main side effect leading to treatment discontinuation among patients on sibutramine (central nervous system effects). The response rate for both drugs was found to be similar although adverse effects were different but consistent with their distinct pharmacological mechanisms and previously published reports.
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