Treatment of intractable constipation with orlistat: A report of three cases

Abstract

Intractable constipation is a frequent side effect of opioid treatment of chronic pain. Orlistat, an FDA approved pill for weight loss, has gastrointestinal side effects including fecal incontinence, oily spotting, fecal urgency, and increased defecation. The author postulated that capitalizing on the known side effects of orlistat and prescribing orlistat to obese, chronic pain patients with opioid induced constipation would provide relief. The following report describes three positive cases of the use of orlistat for the treatment of opioid related constipation. © American Academy of Pain Medicine.