Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026

5/6th Nephrectomy in Combination with High Salt Diet and Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition to Induce Chronic Kidney Disease in the Lewis Rat
Published on: July 3, 2013
Weight loss at a high cost: Orlistat-induced late-onset severe kidney disease
B Buysschaert1, S Aydin2, J Morelle3
1Division of Nephrology, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Aim:
This report describes a case of kidney failure secondary to orlistat, a lipase inhibitor commonly used in the treatment of obesity.
Case Report:
An 80-year-old man with type 2 diabetes who was being treated with orlistat developed rapidly progressive kidney failure. Low-grade albuminuria argued against diabetic nephropathy. Renal biopsy showed tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with numerous calcium oxalate crystals. Enteric hyperoxaluria was attributed to the orlistat treatment. The latter was stopped and the patient received calcium supplements. Six months after orlistat withdrawal, oxaluria was normalized and kidney function stabilized.
Conclusion:
Oxalate nephropathy may result from hyperoxaluria secondary to orlistat treatment. This suggests that kidney function and oxaluria be closely monitored in patients taking orlistat.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
Renal Failure: Dose Adjustments
Reduced renal clearance and elimination rate are common outcomes of renal impairment. These alterations lead to a prolonged elimination half-life and an altered apparent volume of distribution for drugs. As a result, dosage adjustments are typically necessary to maintain optimal drug levels in the body.
However, dosage adjustments...
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction
Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations

