Orlistat 120mg

Orlistat is a prescribed weight loss pill that is used to help overweight people lose weight. It does this by preventing them from digesting and absorbing some dietary fat. It does not remove body fat or reduce appetite.

Orlistat can only be prescribed to those with a BMI over 30, or over 28 with certain medical problems, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

Orlistat works by changing how your body digests fat. When you take it, it blocks lipase, an enzyme found in the intestines that helps break down and digest fats. Once lipase is blocked, around a third of the fat you eat with your meal is passed out of your body as stool, instead of being absorbed. It won’t work if you don’t eat any fat with your meal, or you take it without eating.

What does orlistat do to your body?

Orlistat tablets contain the active ingredient orlistat, which is a lipase inhibitor. This medication prevents certain enzymes, called lipase, from breaking down dietary fats in your food. This stops some of the fat in your food from being absorbed into your body and instead causes it to be passed out in your stool when you go to the bathroom. This means it’s common to get oily or loose stools, or an increased need to use the bathroom.

You can reduce these side effects by splitting your dietary fat evenly between 3 meals. The manufacturer recommends that around 30% of your daily calories be in the form of fat, which should be split across 3 meals.

How long does orlistat take to work?

Orlistat starts to work within 1-2 days after first taking it, but it can take up to 2 weeks until you start to see results. Most patients say they see the best results in the first 3 months of taking orlistat. Your doctor will check you’ve lost at least 5% of your starting weight within 12 weeks of taking orlistat, or they may recommend trying a different weight loss medication.

In clinical trials, orlistat was found to help 37% of people lose 5% or more of their starting weight after 12 weeks. In the same study, 49% of these participants went on to lose 10% or more of their starting weight within 1 year.

How much weight can you lose with orlistat in a month?

Generally, you can expect to lose 0.5 to 1kg per week when you first start taking orlistat, or around 2 to 4kg in the first month. Results will vary from person to person, depending on things like your starting weight or any underlying medical conditions.

Studies have shown that people who took orlistat while dieting and exercising lost around 8.5kg in a year. Those who did not take orlistat lost around 3kg less than those who did over the same period.

You can only buy orlistat 120mg if you have a prescription. You can get a prescription from your local GP with an appointment, or you can request treatment with orlistat safely and conveniently online from websites such as ZAVA Online Doctor.

Where to buy orlistat online?

You can buy orlistat online from trusted websites such as ZAVA Online Doctor. To make sure it is safe and appropriate for you to take orlistat, you will first have to complete a short online questionnaire about your health.

Please note: It is safe and legal to purchase orlistat from trusted and regulated websites. When purchasing prescription medications like orlistat online, make sure the website is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This means that the website is operated by real doctors who are dispensing legitimate medications.

Yes, you can buy orlistat over the counter, but only at the lowest dosage. Orlistat 60mg, sold under the brand name alli, is available without a prescription from most pharmacies in the UK. You will need to complete a short assessment in the pharmacy before you can get it, but you will not require a prescription from a doctor first. This is because this dosage is safe for most people to take.

Orlistat 120mg is not available over the counter, so you will need a prescription from a doctor before you can get this medication.

Is orlistat available on the NHS?

Yes, orlistat is available on the NHS. You will need to speak to your GP to find out if your specific GP clinic offers this medication.

How do you get approved for orlistat?

To get an approved prescription for orlistat, you will need to go through an assessment with a doctor or weight loss specialist.

Weight loss tablets like orlistat will usually only be approved if you have already made efforts to lose weight through lifestyle changes, such as dieting or exercise.

Orlistat can only be prescribed to those with a BMI over 30 or over 28 with certain medical problems, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

You should swallow your orlistat capsules whole, with water. Take orlistat up to 3 times a day, before or during each meal that contains fat, or up to 1 hour after.

Please note: If you miss a meal or don’t have a meal with any fat, do not take orlistat.

When to take orlistat

The best time to take orlistat is immediately after a meal that contains fat, or up to 1 hour after the meal. If you eat a meal that has no fat, then you do not need to take orlistat.

How long can you take orlistat for?

Orlistat is typically taken for 3 to 6 months, but there is no time limit on how long you can safely take orlistat for. You should not continue to take orlistat tablets without an assessment with your doctor.

Orlistat is most effective when used in combination with other weight loss methods, like healthy eating and regular exercise. This means orlistat will be prescribed alongside a diet and exercise regimen, which you must follow. Your doctor or dietician will be able to give you advice, or you can get access to our weight loss support pack with your prescription from ZAVA Online Doctor.

What to eat when taking orlistat

For the best results, take orlistat tablets with meals that are high in nutritional value and are low in calories and fat. When taking orlistat, it is recommended that you follow a diet that controls your fat intake to 30% of your total daily calories.

Some easy ways you can reduce your fat intake include:

• Eating leaner cuts of meat, such as turkey and chicken.
• Switching to a diet higher in fruits and vegetables.
• Trimming visible fat off your meat, and removing chicken skin.
• Choosing low-fat options where possible, such as skimmed milk, low-fat spreads, and reduced-fat cheese.
• Avoiding adding extra oil or butter when cooking. Choose cooking methods such as air frying, poaching, baking, and grilling.
• Switching to spray oil, which can help you use less oil while cooking.
• Avoiding snacking between meals.

What should you not eat while taking orlistat?

You should avoid foods that are high in fat when taking orlistat. This is because orlistat works by reducing the amount of fat your body can absorb, and this unabsorbed fat will be passed through your stools.

If you eat foods that are high in fat, you may notice side effects including:

• oily or fatty stools
• oily spotting or discharge from the rectum
• stomach pain
• increased flatulence
• needing to go to the toilet more often and/or more urgently
• loose bowel movements

Can you drink alcohol on orlistat?

Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking orlistat. There is no interaction between orlistat and alcohol, so there is no danger of adverse reactions or side effects. However, alcohol is high in calories, so drinking could hurt your attempts to lose weight.

Orlistat is available in 60mg and 120mg dosages.

Orlistat 60mg is available over the counter in the UK, under the brand name alli. This is medication containing orlistat, but is slightly less effective for weight loss as it is a lower dosage. Orlistat 60mg is taken up to 3 times a day with each meal, for a total dosage of 180mg of orlistat per day.

Orlistat 120mg is a prescription-only medication and is also sold under the brand name Xenical. Orlistat 120mg is taken 3 times a day with each meal, for a total dosage of 360mg of orlistat per day.

What is the difference between orlistat 60 and 120?

The difference between orlistat 60 and 120 is the dosage. Otherwise, they are the exact same medication.

Orlistat 120 is more effective than orlistat 60 but also has a higher risk of side effects. Because of this, it is a prescription-only medication as a doctor needs to make sure it is safe and appropriate for you to take it.

Orlistat 60 is still effective for weight loss and is found to be safe for most people. Because of this, it is available without a prescription under the brand name alli.

The benefits of orlistat tablets include lower weight, BMI, and cholesterol levels. This happens because your body is absorbing less fat from food, which is instead being passed as waste.

Some studies show that orlistat is also beneficial for high blood pressure, and can help those with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels.

Just like any medication, orlistat can have side effects. Most side effects are generally mild and are more likely when you first start taking orlistat. They’re also more likely after meals containing a high percentage of fat, so it’s best to avoid high-fat meals while taking it. Side effects should go away during treatment, especially if you stick to the diet recommended by your doctor or nutritionist.

Orlistat side effects range from very common to frequency unknown from current data:

Very common:

• headaches
• abdominal pain or discomfort
• urgent or increased need to open bowels
• flatulence (wind) with discharge
• oily discharge
• oily and/or liquid stools
• low blood sugar levels for some people with type 2 diabetes

Common:

• rectal pain/discomfort
• soft stools
• incontinence (bowels only)
• bloating for some people with type 2 diabetes
• tiredness
• tooth or gum disorder
• irregular menstrual cycle

Frequency unknown from current data:

• allergic reactions, ranging from mild to severe – call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you have symptoms such as severe difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, swelling, dizziness or fainting
• skin blistering (including blisters that burst)
• diverticulitis (inflammation in the colon)
• bleeding from the rectum
• an increase in some liver enzymes which will show in blood tests
• hepatitis (liver inflammation) – speak to a doctor or go to A&E straight away if you have symptoms such as itching, dark-coloured urine, yellow skin or whites of the eyes, stomach pain or liver tenderness
• gallstones – this is a serious side effect that should be discussed with a doctor straight away
• pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation) – this is a serious side effect that should be discussed with a doctor straight away
• oxalate nephropathy (a buildup of calcium oxalate, which can lead to kidney stones)

Getting a couple of common side effects is perfectly normal when taking any medication. However, if you get side effects that begin to concern you, call 111 or see your GP.

Long-term orlistat side effects

Orlistat can reduce the absorption of some fat-soluble nutrients, such as vitamin E and beta-carotene, which could lead to other health problems long-term. It’s important to eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Your doctor may also recommend taking a multivitamin supplement alongside orlistat. Orlistat has been studied in long-term clinical trials for up to 4 years and aside from the side effects already listed, no long-term side effects were noted.

When you consult your GP about orlistat, make sure you mention any pre-existing conditions, as well as any medication you are currently taking. This is because orlistat is known to have serious reactions with some medications and conditions.

You shouldn’t take orlistat if you:

• are allergic to any ingredients in orlistat
• have chronic malabsorption syndrome
• have cholestasis (a liver disorder)
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Drug interactions with orlistat

These drugs are known to have an adverse reaction with orlistat. If you are taking any of them, orlistat may be unsuitable for you, or your doctor may need to change your dose or monitor you more closely:

• blood thinners, like Warfarin
• HIV medication
• medication to treat fits (seizures)
• ciclosporin, an immunosuppressant
• iodine salts and/or levothyroxine, used to treat hypothyroidism
• amiodarone, for preventing and treating heart disorders
• medication to treat depression, anxiety, or psychiatric disorders
• acarbose, an anti-diabetic medication
• medication used to treat high cholesterol

If you are taking medication or have an existing health condition not listed here, be sure to still check with your GP before taking orlistat.

Women taking the oral contraceptive pill should take special care when taking orlistat, especially when getting side effects like diarrhoea and frequent stools. It’s recommended to use an additional form of contraception as your oral contraceptive may not be as effective if these side effects persist.

Pre-existing conditions

The following conditions may make it unsuitable for you to take orlistat:

• digestive problems
• gallbladder problems
• underactive thyroid
• kidney stones
• eating disorders, like anorexia nervosa or bulimia
• fits (seizures)
• HIV

There are several orlistat-based alternatives, such as Xenical and alli.

Orlistat vs Xenical

Xenical is a branded version of orlistat 120mg. This means that they are the exact same medication, just with a different name on the box. Orlistat is a generic medication, which means it can be made by any pharmaceutical company, while Xenical can only be produced by Roche.

Generics are just as effective as branded medications and are usually available at a lower price.

Orlistat vs alli

alli is a branded version of orlistat 60mg. alli is a lower dose alternative to Xenical, which is typically prescribed at a 120mg dose.

alli and orlistat 60mg work in the same way, and are equally effective in treating weight loss. The only difference between them is that alli is available over the counter in the UK.

Orlistat reviews by patients show that it is rated:

• 3.8 out of 5 stars on wedmd.com
• 7.4 out of 10 on drugs.com

From reviews on drugs.com, 64% of those who took orlistat reviewed it positively, while 18% reviewed it negatively. Reasons for positive reviews included satisfaction with weight loss results and a lack of serious side effects. Reasons for negative reviews include not seeing weight loss results quickly enough, and side effects related to going to the bathroom such as oily and discoloured stools.

Yes, orlistat can be a good option for those trying to lose weight. It is an effective weight loss medication which may help you lose more than 10% of your body weight in 1 year and doesn’t have any widely reported serious side effects.

Orlistat is also a cheaper alternative to many other weight loss treatments and works well alongside other weight loss strategies like dieting and exercise.