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Orlistat 120mg Capsules

Orlistat 120mg Capsules

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Buy Orlistat Online in the UK

Orlistat, a cheaper, generic brand of Xenical, is used to treat obesity.

Orlistat 120mg tablets help your body to lose weight by preventing up to one-third of dietary fat from being absorbed by the body. By using Orlistat, you could stand to lose up to 5% of your body weight in the first 3 months of treatment.

It's important to pair the treatment with a low-fat, low-calorie diet and an active lifestyle, embracing a holistic approach to your health and well-being.

See how Orlistat 120mg capsules helped our clients on their weight loss journey and read their customer reviews.

  • Prescription-only pill for weight loss
  • Take 3 times daily with a meal
  • Generic version of Xenical
Suitable for age: 18 Years +
Maximum per order:3
Consultation required?Yes

This treatment requires an online consultation for review by our medical team. The decision to supply the specific treatment and quantity requested will be based on whether our medical team are satisfied that it will be safe, appropriate, and effective.

Generic Treatment?Yes

This is a generic medicine and manufacturer of the treatment supplied may vary from the treatment image above, depending on availability. Please contact us once you've placed your order if you require a specific brand and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Type of medicine
Lipase inhibitor
Works by
Prevents the absorption of dietary fat into the body.
Active ingredient
Orlistat
Effective within
1 - 3 months
Pack size
84 Capsules
Strength
120mg
Manufacturer
Teva, Crescent, Accord, Alissa Healthcare
Generic
Yes
Use with alcohol
In moderation

Orlistat Medical Information

How does Orlistat work?

Orlistat 120mg tablets help you lose weight by preventing nearly a third of the fat you eat from being digested. Any undigested fat is passed through your stools instead of absorbed into your body.

We recommend combining Orlistat with a balanced, low-fat diet and regular exercise for the most effective results.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet for more information.

Does Orlistat work?

Does Orlistat really work for weight loss?

Yes, Orlistat has been shown to help people lose weight when used correctly. The research found that people taking Orlistat lost more weight compared to people who took a placebo. With healthier lifestyle choices, it showed modest improvements in blood sugar levels, lipid profile and blood pressure.

Orlistat is most effective as part of a comprehensive wellness plan, including a balanced diet and regular exercise. Think of it as a supportive tool on your path to a healthier lifestyle, not a standalone solution.

How does Orlistat help with weight loss?

When combined with a low-calorie diet and exercise, Orlistat can help you achieve your weight loss goal more easily.

In clinical trials, almost twice as many obese patients who received Orlistat achieved an average weight loss of 10% or more of their body weight in 6 months compared to those relying on dietary changes alone. In addition, some of the patients who stop taking Orlistat may regain the weight they had lost.

Orlistat alternatives

Orlistat is the most affordable weight loss treatment. However, some people prefer the branded version called Xenical. Both medications contain 120mg of Orlistat, but Xenical is more expensive.

There are also fat dissolving and weight loss injections.

Weight loss injections like Saxenda and Wegovy help you achieve your goal by suppressing your appetite. You can read more about how Saxenda works, how much it costs, how to use the Saxenda injection or how Saxenda compares to Orlistat, in our guides.

Another weight loss medication growing in popularity is Mounjaro. With this injection pen, you might lose around 15-20% of your body weight.

We know that navigating weight loss treatments can be confusing. So, we put together guides that will help you understand what Mounjaro is, what side effects you might experience or how to use the KwikPen. We even compare Mounjaro to other options like Wegovy and explain the line between Mounjaro vs Ozempic.

And if you need more answers, you can always get in touch with our team.

How to take Orlistat

Orlistat 120mg capsules may be taken up to 3 times daily, 7 days a week. You may choose to take Orlistat with your meal or up to one hour after you've eaten. Swallow the whole capsule with a glass of water.

For a meal containing between 1g and 15g of fat, you may take an Orlistat capsule with your food or up to 1 hour after eating.

In between your meals, you should avoid foods that contain fat, such as chocolate, biscuits, or even savoury snacks.

Do not take Orlistat weight loss supplements if:

  • You eat a fat-free meal (there will be no fat for Orlistat to work on)
  • You skip a meal
  • You eat a high-fat meal, as this will increase the potential gastrointestinal side effects

Read our Orlistat Diet Plan for more information on what you should and shouldn't eat when using this treatment.

Losing weight with Orlistat

By reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs, Orlistat helps you to prevent weight gain. However, it doesn't directly cause weight loss.

To reach your weight loss goals, you need to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. With mindful lifestyle choices, Orlistat can help you move your BMI (Body Mass Index) into a healthier range.

You could get an Orlistat prescription once you've tried your best with diet and exercise alone. But even then, remember that you can get the prescription only if you have:

  • BMI of 30 or more
  • BMI of 28 or more, along with other medical conditions related to your weight (e.g. high blood pressure)

Orlistat Ingredients

Each capsule contains the active ingredient: Orlistat 120 mg.

Orlistat capsules contain the inactive ingredient: microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, sodium lauryl sulfate, povidone, and talc. Each capsule shell contains gelatin, titanium dioxide, and FD&C Blue No.

Side effects of Orlistat

As with any other medication, you might experience some adverse effects. The milder side effects can get better over time. But if you experience persistent or serious side effects, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Contact a member of our team if you're concerned about any of the potential side effects that could affect you when taking Orlistat 120mg capsules.

If you do experience side effects from Orlistat 120mg capsules, they may include:

  • Abdominal pains
  • Bloating or wind
  • Urgent need to open the bowels
  • Liquid, fatty or oily stools

Other less common side effects when taking Orlistat may include:

  • Rectal pain/discomfort
  • Soft stools
  • Incontinence (stools)
  • Tooth/gum disorder
  • Irregularity of menstrual cycle
  • Tiredness

For the full list of potential side effects, read the Patient Information Leaflet.

Warnings

You shouldn't take Orlistat if:

  • You are under 18
  • Have a BMI lower than 28
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding

To gain the maximum benefit from Orlistat 120mg tablets, you should follow the nutrition program recommended to you by your doctor. As with any weight-control program, overconsumption of fat and calories may reduce any weight loss effect.

  • We understand that changes in bowel habits can be unsettling. Please know that these are generally harmless and are a result of how Orlistat works to eliminate undigested fat. The possibility of this happening may increase if Orlistat is taken with a diet high in fat. In addition, your daily intake of fat should be distributed evenly over three main meals because if Xenical is taken with a meal very high in fat, the possibility of gastrointestinal effects may increase.
  • The use of an additional contraceptive method is recommended to prevent possible failure of oral contraception that could occur in case of severe diarrhoea.
  • The use of Orlistat may be associated with renal stones in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. Inform your doctor whether you suffer from problems with your kidney.

Orlistat and Other Medicines

Orlistat may modify the activity of certain drugs. If you are taking any of the following, you should see your doctor before taking Orlistat:

  • Anticoagulant drugs (e.g. warfarin). Your doctor may need to monitor your blood coagulation.
  • Ciclosporin. Your doctor may need to monitor your ciclosporin blood levels more frequently than usual.
  • Iodine salts and/or levothyroxine. Cases of hypothyroidism and/or reduced control of hypothyroidism may occur.
  • Amiodarone. You may ask your doctor for advice.
  • Medicines to treat HIV.
  • Antidiabetic drug (Acarbose).

Orlistat may unbalance an anticonvulsant treatment by decreasing the absorption of antiepileptic drugs, thus leading to convulsions. Please contact your doctor if you think that the frequency and/or severity of the convulsions have changed when taking Orlistat together with antiepileptic drugs.

Sources

Orlistat 120mg Capsules FAQs

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Donald Grant

Authored by

Dr Donald Grant
Donald Grant
MB ChB DRCOG MRCGP Dip.orth.med
3058367
GP & Clinical Advisor

Dr Don Grant is The Independent Pharmacy's original online prescriber and has advanced in his role to become the Clinical Advisor, using his wealth of experience to advise on our clinical polices and prescribing guidelines.

Daniel Hurley

Reviewed by

Daniel Hurley
Daniel Hurley
MPharm IP
2078790
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber

Dan is an experienced pharmacist having spent time working in both primary and secondary care. He currently supports our clinical team by providing robust clinical governance review of our internal processes and information.