Objective
To investigate how the antiobesity drugs orlistat and sibutramin are prescribed in relation to the approved indications and
the Swedish subsidiary rules.
Methods
Anonymous survey to prescribers of a random sample of 2000 out of 20,000 prescription of orlistat and sibutramin.
Results
The response rate was around 65%. About half of the patients were not treated in accordance with the approved indications
and a fourth of the patients prescribed sibutramin had one or several contraindications to the drug. The subsidiary rules
were not followed in the majority of cases.
Conclusion
Deviation from the approved indications and subsidiary criteria of orlistat and sibutramin is a question of waste of medical
and economic resources. Prescribing of sibutramin to patients with contraindications is a serious health hazard.
Keywords Orlistat - Sibutramine - Obesity - Subsidiary criteria - Sweden