Orlistat

What is orlistat?

Orlistat is a medication that is used to help reduce weight in obesity. It is one of the few licensed diet pills available. It also supports individuals to help maintain weight loss, by reducing the chance of putting weight back on. Orlistat is taken with meals and blocks around 30-40% of fat from being absorbed by your body, passing it out in your stools. It works best in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and clinical trials have suggested that it can also have a beneficial effect on blood pressure and diabetes. It is licensed for use in adults only.

How does orlistat work?

Orlistat works by blocking stomach enzymes from breaking down fat. This mechanism of action stops the body from absorbing fat, and it passes through the gut in the form of faeces. This reduces the level of fat that your body absorbs, so that it is not stored in the body. As a result, you lose weight. Orlistat prevents the absorption of around 30% of fat that is consumed.

How to take orlistat 120mg capsules

• Take one capsule immediately before, during or up to one hour after your meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Swallow the capsule with water
• If a meal does not contain fat, you do not need to take a capsule
• Avoid snacks that contain fat in-between meals

Orlistat should be used in conjunction with an increase in exercise and a calorie controlled diet. Your daily intake of fat should be no more than 30% of your daily calorie intake. For example, if your daily calorie intake is 1,800 calories, no more than 540 calories (30% of 1,800 calories) should come from fat. Most food packaging has nutritional information that can be used to help you.

How long does orlistat take to work?

Orlistat can take anywhere from around 1-3 months to work. You should aim to lose 5% of your starting weight. Orlistat is likely to help you to lose weight quicker, in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Does orlistat get rid of existing fat?

Orlistat does not get rid of existing fat and has no effect on fat cells that are already in your body. However, by reducing fat absorption, your body is able to turn to existing fat storage for energy, which means it is easier for you to burn existing fat.

What happens if you take orlistat without eating?

You do not need to take orlistat if you are not having a meal, or, if you are having a meal which is low in fat, for example, a salad. Orlistat has no benefit where a meal is not consumed, and may increase the chances of side effects, such as an upset stomach.

Is orlistat safe to use?

Orlistat is a licensed product and is used by many people to help reduce weight. It has been reviewed and tested for its safety and effectiveness. There have been many drugs that have been tested to treat obesity, but orlistat is the only one that has proven to be both safe yet effective. In fact, clinical trials have demonstrated that people taking orlistat showed an improvement in blood pressure, increased lipid levels and type 2 diabetes. It is unclear whether this is a direct result of orlistat, or the positive outcome of a reduction in weight. 

Is orlistat effective?

A clinical trial conducted by doctors looked at the effectiveness of Orlistat over a 2-year period. The study looked at two groups of patients, one group that took orlistat and the other group that took a placebo (tablet that has no effect). The results showed that at the end of the first year, the group taking orlistat lost more weight than the group that took the placebo. During the second year, the participants followed a weight-maintenance diet and after the second year, the results showed that the group taking orlistat gained 50% less weight than those taking the placebo. 

Another study looked at the weight, blood sugar levels and lipid (cholesterol) levels of 391 obese participants over a 57-week period. The results showed that those taking orlistat lost more weight and had a significant improvement in blood sugar and lipid levels than those taking the placebo. 

Overall, there have been many studies looking at the effectiveness of orlistat in helping to reduce weight. Most studies conclude that orlistat does work and is effective in helping to reduce weight.

You are able to see orlistat reviews to find out how users found treatment. 

How to get the best results with orlistat

Studies and research have shown that orlistat is clinically effective in helping to reduce weight in obese individuals; however, in order to get the best results with orlistat, it is important to take orlistat tablets in conjunction with a calorie-reduced diet and an increase in exercise. This way, you are likely to see encouraging results and avoid disappointment. Just remember, results will not happen overnight, or a week. It is important to be persistent and stay positive.

You can visit the NHS website for support on how to lose weight. 

How much weight can I lose?

Clinical trials have shown that those who took orlistat lost 50% more weight than those who didn't. In theory, if you are to lose 10kg without orlistat, you will lose 15kg with it. However, this is theoretical, and we are all different and respond to treatments and dietary changes in different ways. Ultimately, orlistat is proven to help lose weight by reducing the amount of fat absorbed and is most effective in conjunction with an exercise routine and strict diet. It is difficult to predict exactly how much weight will be lost, but orlistat is an effective weight loss pill that is proven to work. 

When should you use orlistat?

Orlistat should only be used by obese or overweight individuals who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30kg/m² or more. It can also be used by those with a BMI of 28kg/m² who have other risk factors for obesity related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. You must be above the age of 18 to use orlistat (in special circumstances, it may be prescribed for children over the age of 12 as an unlicensed use of the medication). 

When should you stop using orlistat?

You should stop using orlistat once your BMI has reached 25kg/m². Alternatively, if you have not lost 5% of your starting weight after 2 months, treatment should be discontinued. You should seed advice from your doctor or pharmacist. 

What happens when I stop treatment?

Once you stop using orlistat, you run the risk of putting on weight. This is because your body will start to absorb fat again. To lower the chances of this happening, continue to adhere to a healthy eating plan, and maintain a moderate to intense level of exercise. Whilst it is difficult to avoid fats altogether, it is a good idea to reintroduce fats slowly back into your diet.

What to do if you are taking orlistat and not losing weight?

If you have not lost any weight after 1 month of orlistat, you should review your diet and exercise plan. You may require help to adhere to a meal plan that is effective. You may also wish to increase the intensity and length of exercise. A healthy diet will prevent you from consuming calories, allowing your body to turn to existing fat stores for energy when exercising.

If you have not lost any weight after 3 months, you should stop treatment and speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Orlistat side effects

The main side effect associated with orlistat is stomach disturbances. This includes oily stools, diarrhoea, stomach upset and flatulence. Orlistat can also cause changes to your bowel habits, such as increasing the need to poo. Foods to avoid when taking orlistat include foot with high fat content such as pizza, pies, biscuits, ice cream.

There are no long-term side effects of orlistat.

Orlistat warnings

You should not use orlistat if:

• You have cholestasis, an issue affecting your bile
• You have chronic malabsorption syndrome, a condition that affects your body's ability to absorb nutrients
• You have kidney disease
• You have volume depletion, a condition where you lose body fluid that contains sodium
• You are under the age of 18
• Your BMI is under 30 (unless you have risk factors including type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, in which case your BMI should not be below 28)

Can I use orlistat with other medication?

If you are taking other medication, you should seek medical advice before taking orlistat. This is because orlistat may affect the activity of other medication. 

You should speak to your doctor if you wish to take orlistat, and you are taking:

• Acarbose, used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
• Amiodarone, a medication used to treat an irregular heart beat
• Anticoagulants, such as warfarin
• Ciclosporin, a medication usually taken after a transplant
• Contraceptive pills
• Medication used to treat thyroid problems, such as levothyroxine and iodine
• Medication used to treat HIV
• Medication used to treat epilepsy

Can I take orlistat with the contraceptive pill?

If you are taking the contraceptive pill and wish to use orlistat tablets, you should use an extra barrier of protection. This is because orlistat may reduce the absorption of the contraceptive pill.

Orlistat and alcohol

There is no direct interaction between orlistat and alcohol. Whilst it is safe to drink alcohol when taking orlistat, you should be aware that alcohol is high in calories, which can hinder your results.

Can I take orlistat if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Orlistat pills must not be taken by those that are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you find out that you are pregnant whilst taking orlistat, you should stop taking it and seek medical advice as soon as possible. 

Is orlistat available on the NHS?

Orlistat is available on the NHS as part of a weight management plan.

Can you buy orlistat over the counter?

Orlistat 60mg comes in a branded version known as Alli. It is possible to purchase Alli over the counter. The higher strength Xenical or generic orlistat, contain 120mg of orlistat and can only be obtained with a prescription, not OTC. You can visit your GP or buy orlistat online from our UK regulated pharmacy.