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    Orlistat 120mg tablets

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    What is Orlistat?

    If you have a BMI of 30 and over (or 28 and over with other risk factors), Orlistat tablets could be an effective treatment to support your weight loss journey.

    • Orlistat is the generic version of Xenical
    • Orlistat is the active ingredient in Xenical
    • It works in the same way
    • It’s a form of medicated weight loss
    • Orlistat helps overweight people lose weight
    • It should be taken three times a day around your mealtimes (from just before eating to an hour after)

    How does Orlistat work?

    Summary and effectiveness
    Orlistat is a weight loss medication that changes how your body absorbs fat from the foods you eat. Orlistat prevents your body breaking down nearly a 1/3 of the fat that you eat.

    In previous studies, Orlistat assisted 37% of participants with losing at least 5% of their body weight after twelve weeks.  

    Step-by-step

    • Orlistat attaches to the enzymes in your digestive system (lipases)
    • Orlistat stops the lipases from breaking down up to a third of the fat you’ve eaten in your meals
    • The undigested fat is not absorbed into your body
    • This fat is then passed out with your stools (faeces)
    • The body absorbs less fat, which can assist with weight loss alongside healthy living

    How long does Orlistat take to work?

    Orlistat starts to affect how you digest fat within 1 to 2 days. When taking Orlistat you need to follow a calorie-reduced diet plan and regularly exercise for the best results. The more lifestyle changes you make the more weight you may lose.

    “Taking Orlistat alone with meals doesn’t guarantee weight loss. As with any weight loss journey, healthy eating and increasing your exercise increases the chances you will lose weight on Orlistat.”  - Dr. Bhavini Shah 

    Does Orlistat burn existing fat?

    Orlistat doesn’t burn any existing body fat you may have. Instead, it stops your body absorbing around a third of the fat in the foods you eat. When taking Orlistat or Xenical it’s important to follow a low-fat diet.

    Is Orlistat an effective weight loss treatment?

    When taken three times a day for 12 weeks you should aim to lose about 5% of your weight. Studies have shown that over 6 months some people may lose over 10% of their body weight. However, the speed and quality of Orlistat’s effects depend on your lifestyle. 

    While Orlistat does help reduce the amount of fat your body absorbs, it is only effective if you make complementary lifestyle changes. These include increased exercise, moderating calorie intake, eating a balanced diet, and reducing alcohol consumption. The results are also dependent on your personal commitment and motivation to losing weight. Lifestyle factors such as stress or your age also play a part.

    Look for non-scale signs of weight loss rather than focusing on the scales to help track your progress.

    “Although it’s a good idea to check your weight every so often, there are so many other ways you can track your health and weight loss success that do not consider the number of kilograms you weigh.” - Dr Bhavini Shah

    How to take Orlistat

    • You should take one capsule with water three times a day
    • Take one capsule immediately before, during, or up to an hour after each main meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) 

    If you miss a main meal or if you have a meal containing no fat, Orlistat does not need to be taken. This is because there is nothing for the treatment to work with.

    If you do take Orlistat on an empty stomach, you may experience side effects such as wind and oily stools.

    Orlistat only works in the presence of dietary fat - the fat in foods and drinks. Dietary fat fall into three categories; saturated fats, unsaturated fats and trans fats. Fatty foods include cooking oils, cream, nuts and fatty cuts of meat.

    Orlistat dosage

    The recommended dose is one 120mg capsule three times a day. Each 120mg capsule is to be taken with one meal. Taking more will not make it work faster.

    Available courses of Orlistat from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor:

    DosageLength of treatment
    120mg28 days
    120mg84 days

    You should only take Orlistat as prescribed and never exceed the stated dose. Your prescription is for you – you should never share prescribed medicines with anyone. 

    Who can take Orlistat tablets?

    Orlistat is suitable for people who are medically overweight. We can only prescribe it if you have a:

    • BMI of 30 and over
    • BMI of 28 and over only if you have any other associated risk factors or weight related conditions such as high blood pressure 

    You will not be suitable for this treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

    Orlistat must be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Speak to your doctor or complete an online consultation if you’d like to take this treatment.

    Where to buy Orlistat

    Orlistat is only available with a prescription from your doctor or one of our clinicians. However, you will need to answer a health questionnaire first to get this treatment. In this questionnaire you will be asked questions like:

    • Your height and weight
    • Whether you have used Orlistat or another weight loss treatment before
    • Your current exercise regime
    • Whether you smoke
    • If you take any other medications
    • If you have any allergies
    • Your medical history

    What’s the difference between Orlistat and Xenical®?

    Orlistat is the generic version of the drug Xenical®. Both treatments contain the same:

    • Size capules
    • No. of capsules
    • Ingredients
    • Dosage
    • Method of taking treatment

    The only major change between Orlistat and Xenical® is their branding. If you’re interested in other weight loss treatments, talk to your GP or visit our weight loss hub.

    Orlistat side effects

    As with all medicines you may experience side effects. Side effects are more prevalent if you take Orlistat following a fatty meal.

    Side effects could include:

    Very common side effects (more than 1 in 10 people)

    Common side effects (1 to 10 people)
    • Headache
    • Abdominal pain/discomfort
    • Urgent or increased need to open the bowels
    • Flatulence (wind) with discharge
    • Oily discharge
    • Oily or fatty stools
    • Liquid stools
    • Low blood sugar levels (experienced by some people with type 2 diabetes)
    • Rectal pain/discomfort
    • Soft stools
    • Incontinence (stools)
    • Bloating
    • Tooth/gum disorder
    • Irregular periods
    • Tiredness

    Other possible side effects include allergic reactions, diverticulitis, hepatitis, gallstones, pancreatitis and kidney stones.

    For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If any side effects concern you, contact us via your Patient Record. 

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      Orlistat FAQs

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      Your first order of Orlistat

      Your first order of Orlistat must be collected from a pharmacy so your height and weight can be checked. This is for your safety, as losing weight with Orlistat is not recommended for patients with a BMI below 30 (or 28 with a weight-related health condition like high blood pressure). For repeat orders, you will be able to choose delivery as an option.

      Safety: taking other medicines

      As is true of all medication, Orlistat can interact with other medicines, making them less effective. This is why it's important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe Orlistat safely.

      If you are taking the contraceptive pill alongside Orlistat, you should use additional contraception if you experience severe diarrhoea.  

      How long after taking Orlistat do you need to go to the toilet?

      You can expect to experience changes in your bowel movements 24 to 48 hours after taking Orlistat for the first time. Once you’ve begun your Orlistat treatment, you may also find yourself needing to use the toilet more frequently.

      What happens if you take Orlistat without eating?

      If you miss a meal while you’re taking Orlistat nothing should happen. This is because there’s no fat for the Orlistat to react with, which can also happen if you eat a meal low in or without fat.

      However, you may experience the side effects of taking Orlistat, such as abdominal pain or wind. Please see above for more examples of Orlistat’s side effects.

      How long does Orlistat stay in your system?

      The amount of time Orlistat will stay in your system depends on the patient. It can take anywhere from 12 hours to 72 hours to disappear from your system entirely.

      If you’re still seeing the side effects of Orlistat after three days, please talk to your GP.

      Orlistat vs Xenical® vs Weight Loss Injections

      Orlistat (or its branded equivalent, Xenical®) are one of several treatments available via our weight loss hub, alongside weight loss injections like Mounjaro® and Wegovy®. What treatment works best depends on the patient – you may purchase Orlistat because you prefer a pill-based treatment or Mounjaro® to help suppress your appetite. To help our patients understand the differences, we’ve created this table comparing weight loss tablets and injections:


      Weight loss tablets
      Weight loss injections
      How often do you take it?
      Up to three a dayOnce a week
      How do they work?
      Reduces fat absorptionReduce / regulate appetite
      How much do they cost?
      Starting from £50 for 28 daysStarting from £149 for four weeks

      If you’re interested in switching your weight loss treatment, please talk to your GP or take an Online Consultation. Our clinicians will help decide an appropriate treatment for your weight loss journey.

      Non-drug alternatives to Orlistat

      There are a variety of weight loss treatments available on the market, including supplementary diet pills, hypnotherapy and surgical options. As well as lots of different diets and ways of eating.

      However, a healthy diet and regular exercise is an effective way to lose weight and improve your health in the long-term.

      How our online weight loss service works

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      2. Complete our simple, confidential online consultation

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      3. One of our clinicians confirms your suitability and notifies you by email

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