A study has shown that orlistat, a weight-loss drug sold under the brand-name Xenical and over the counter as Alli, does not help patients with fatty liver disease lose weight, nor does it improve their liver enzymes or insulin resistance.

With obesity on the rise throughout the world, fatty liver disease has become a major epidemic. Weight loss improves liver enzymes and levels of fat in the liver.

Researchers conducted trial of overweight patients with fatty liver disease to determine the effect of orlistat in conjunction with caloric restriction. After 36 weeks, patients underwent a liver biopsy and the researchers looked for improvement in fat levels and fibrosis score. Orlistat did not help with weight loss, insulin resistance, liver function or cholesterol.