alli weight loss capsules

alli is a type of weight loss pill that is available over the counter without a prescription. It contains 60mg of the active ingredient, orlistat, a lipase inhibitor that works by stopping some of the fat you eat from being absorbed in the intestines. The unabsorbed fat passes through your body and leaves as stool waste.

alli, like all weight loss medications, works best alongside positive lifestyle changes to help you achieve your weight loss goals.

alli is available as hard capsules and you can take up to 3 per day, with each main meal containing fat. It works in the same way as prescription-only orlistat or Xenical, but is available in half the maximum dose.

alli works by blocking the body’s ability to absorb dietary fat, promoting weight loss. The active ingredient orlistat binds to the enzymes in the body that break down fat, like lipase, preventing up to 25% of the fat in your meals from being digested and absorbed. This means that the extra fat and calories you eat won’t be stored by your body. Instead, it passes naturally out of your body in your stools.

How long does alli take to work?

alli starts to work straight away, but it can take up to 3 months to fully notice the effects of the medication on your weight.

How effective is alli?

alli is an effective weight loss pill with research showing that it helps 46.7% of people lose at least 5% of their starting body weight after 6 months.

The research also shows that alli has some other important health benefits, lowering total cholesterol levels by 2.4% in the people who took it for 6 months. This is compared to the placebo group who had an increased cholesterol of 2.8%. Specifically, alli reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol by 3.5% compared to a 3.8% increase in the placebo group. Therefore, alli not only helps with weight loss but also improves blood fat levels.

Take 1 alli capsule up to 3 times a day with water. It should be taken just before, during, or up to 1 hour after meals containing fat. So, usually you would take 1 capsule with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

While taking alli, you should take a multivitamin every day because alli can lower the levels of some of the vitamins in your body. Choose a multivitamin that contains vitamins A, D, E, and K and take it at bedtime when you will not be taking alli to make sure the vitamins are absorbed in your system.

When to take alli

alli should be taken with each of the 3 main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) as long as they contain fat. If you do not eat a meal containing any fat or you skip a meal, then you don’t need to take an alli capsule.

If you eat more than 3 meals a day, try to spread out your dietary fat evenly across 3 of your meals, and take alli with these meals. It’s best to avoid eating fat with any meals or snacks that you will not be taking alli alongside, or it may not be as effective.

How much alli to take

The usual alli dose is one 60mg capsule with each of the 3 main meals per day. That is a maximum dose of 180mg or 3 alli capsules per day.

How long do you need to take alli for?

alli must not be taken for more than 6 months. If you have not lost weight after 12 weeks of taking alli, you should contact your doctor or pharmacist as they may suggest you stop taking it.

alli is available over the counter without a prescription in most UK pharmacies and online.

Can I buy alli online?

Yes, you can buy alli from Asda Online Doctor by:

1. Completing a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review.
2. Placing your order.
3. If approved, your alli order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
4. If your order isn’t approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Can I buy alli over the counter?

Yes, alli is available to buy over-the-counter at most UK pharmacies without a prescription. However, you will still need to answer a few questions from a pharmacist, so they can check it is safe and suitable for you. If it is, you can buy it and take alli away with you straight away.

Can I get alli on the NHS?

No, because alli is an over-the-counter medication, it’s not available on the NHS. However, 120mg orlistat tablets are available on the NHS with a prescription if you meet the following criteria:

• a BMI of 30 or more
• a BMI of 28 or more and other weight-related medical conditions like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes

alli contains orlistat but at half the dose of the prescription-only version.

Very common side effects include:

• fatty or oily stools
• wind (flatulence) may produce oily spotting
• sudden bowel motion
• soft stools

Common side effects include:

• incontinence (stools)
• stomach pain (abdominal pain)
• runny/liquid stools
• increase in the frequency of bowel movements
• anxiety

How long do alli side effects last?

alli side effects usually occur in the first few weeks of starting treatment and should subside or go away within a few weeks as your body adjusts to the medication. If you experience side effects that have lasted for longer than a month or you are finding them difficult to manage, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

What to do if you get alli side effects

Most alli side effects are temporary and can be managed at home by:

• choosing low-fat foods because regularly consuming foods higher in fat is the main cause of most side effects
• eating slowly and mindfully to stop you overeating
• drinking plenty of clear fluids to stay hydrated
• eating smaller, more frequent meals
• speaking to your pharmacist about over-the-counter painkillers or anti-diarrhoea medications that may be suitable for managing alli side effects

Do not take alli if you:

• are allergic to orlistat or any of the ingredients listed in the medication
• are under 18 years old
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• are taking ciclosporin
• are taking warfarin
• have cholestasis (a liver disorder)
• have problems absorbing food diagnosed by a doctor

Talk to your doctor before taking alli if you have:

• diabetes (your doctor may need to adjust your medication)
• kidney disease (orlistat may be associated with kidney stones)

alli and other medications

Do not take alli with:

• ciclosporin
• warfarin

Before taking alli, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:

• amiodarone
• acarbose
• levothyroxine
• epilepsy medications
• HIV medications
• medications for depression, anxiety, or psychiatric disorders
• high blood pressure medication
• high cholesterol medication

alli and the contraceptive pill

If you’re currently taking the oral contraceptive pill, it may be less effective if you get severe diarrhoea while taking alli. You should use an extra method of contraception, like condoms, if you experience diarrhoea. The patient information leaflet that comes with your pill should also provide information on this, or you can speak to your doctor.

If weight loss tablets are not right for you, there are several other weight loss treatments available from Asda Online Doctor, including:

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is a once-weekly weight loss injection that contains the active ingredient, tirzepatide. It works by mimicking 2 hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, which are released by your stomach after eating, to suppress your appetite, slow down digestion, and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Mounjaro has been shown to help people lose up to 22.5% of their body weight on the maximum maintenance dose of 15mg per week after 72 weeks.

Wegovy

Wegovy is another self-injectable medication that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, so it mimics the actions of the hormone GLP-1 to make you feel less hungry.

It can help you lose on average 21% of your starting body weight at the maximum maintenance dose over 72 weeks.

Nevolat

Nevolat is a daily weight loss injection that contains the active ingredient liraglutide. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, so it mimics the actions of the hormone GLP-1 to make you feel less hungry.

It can help you lose an average of 8% of your body weight over 56 weeks at the highest maintenance dose.

Over-the-counter alternatives to alli tend to be supplements which have little scientific evidence to support their benefits for weight loss, such as green tea extract and caffeine.