Effects of orlistat vs. metformin on weight loss-related clinical variables in women with PCOS: systematic review and meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of orlistat on weight loss-related clinical variables in overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to compare treatment with orlistat vs. metformin in this group. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence about the use of orlistat in women with PCOS. We searched the literature published until May 2015 in MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and LILACS. RESULTS: Of 3951 studies identified, nine were included in the systematic review (three prospective, non-randomised studies and six randomised control trials). Eight studies used the Rotterdam criteria and 1 used NIH criteria to diagnose PCOS. Data suggest that orlistat promotes a significant reduction in BMI/weight in overweight/obese PCOS women. Eight studies evaluated orlistat impact on testosterone. Seven reported an improvement in testosterone levels. Eight studies evaluated impact on insulin resistance, and five reported improvement. Finally, five studies evaluated impact on lipid profile, and four reported improvement. Three randomised control trials were included in the fixed effects model meta-analysis for a total of 121 women with PCOS. Orlistat and metformin had similar positive effects on BMI (-0.65%, 95% CI: -2.03 to 0.73), HOMA (-3.60%, 95% CI: -16.99 to 9.78), testosterone (-2.08%, 95% CI: -13.08 to 8.93) and insulin (-5.51%, 95% CI: -22.27 to 11.26). CONCLUSION(S): The present results suggest that orlistat leads to significant reduction in BMI/body weight in PCOS. In addition, the available evidence indicates that orlistat and metformin have similar effects in reducing BMI, HOMA, testosterone and insulin in overweight/obese PCOS women. This study was registered in PROSPERO under number CRD42014012877.
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Metformin reduces BMI by approximately −0.77 kg/m2 (95%CI: −1.26, −0.27) compared to placebo after three months of 1500 mg/day in women with PCOS.
“approximately of −0.77 kg/m² (95%CI: −1.26, − 0.27) compared to placebo after three months of treatment with 1500 mg/day in women with PCOS [165, 166].”
From Precision obesity medicine: A phenotype-guided framework for pharmacologic therapy across the lifespan (2025) · cites this paper as [165]
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- Authors
- Graff, S. K., Mario, F. M., Ziegelmann, P., & Spritzer, P. M.
- Affiliations
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (BR)
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (BR)
- Corresponding author
- Spritzer, P. M.
- Venue
- International Journal of Clinical Practice
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2016-05-26
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 450-461
- ISSN
- 1368-5031 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2403512510
- Cited by
- 63
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 0.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- International Journal of Clinical Practice (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq INCT 573747/2008-3)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Bariatric Surgery and Outcomes
- Keywords
- orlistat, metformin, polycystic ovary syndrome, weight loss, obesity, overweight women, body mass index, insulin resistance, HOMA, testosterone, lipid profile, anti-obesity drugs
- MeSH terms
- Orlistat, Female, Humans, Lactones, Metformin, Obesity, Morbid, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Anti-Obesity Agents
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