Orlistat

Orlistat is a prescription-only weight loss medication which you can take in combination with a calorie controlled diet to help with weight loss. You take orlistat 120 mg three times a day with meals. The active ingredient ‘orlistat’ works to reduce the amount of fat that is absorbed into your body when you digest it. All of our advice and treatments are for your personal use only. You will only be prescribed orlistat if you have a BMI over 30 or over 28 if you have certain medical conditions or associated risk factors.

About orlistat

How does orlistat work? Orlistat contains the active ingredient orlistat, which works to reduce the amount of fat absorbed into your body. It does this by blocking the enzyme responsible for absorbing fat in the gut. This fat then passes through your body instead and is passed out when you go to the toilet.

How to take orlistat

Orlistat comes in a capsule form and is taken by swallowing it whole up to 3 times a day with water. It is taken with each main meal that contains fat, or up to 1 hour afterwards. For best results, orlistat must be taken alongside a low calorie, low fat diet and regular exercise. Even though this medication reduces the amount of fat you absorb from food, it’s still important to reduce the fat in your diet to avoid digestive side effects, like diarrhoea. Combining orlistat with a low calorie diet and exercise will also increase your chances of successful weight loss.

Which dosages of orlistat are available?

Prescription orlistat is only available in 120mg capsules which can be taken up to 3 times a day with a meal that contains fat. This is the same dose as for branded orlistat (Xenical). There is also a 60mg dose of orlistat available over the counter called ‘alli’.

Who is orlistat suitable for?

Orlistat can only be prescribed if you have a BMI over 30, or over 28 if you have certain medical conditions or associated risk factors (such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes). Orlistat is not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Orlistat: Side effects

Just like any medication, orlistat has side effects. Very common side effects (that affects more than 1 in 10 patients) include headache, abdominal pain or discomfort, urgent need to open the bowels, flatulence (wind) with discharge, oily discharge, oily or fatty stools, iquid stools, low blood sugar levels (experienced by people with type 2 diabetes) Please note that this medication can cause changes in your bowel habits. This is due to how the medication works by eliminating undigested fat in your poo (stools). For further information on side effects please see the patient information leaflet.