Orlistat 120mg capsules

Orlistat is a prescription-only weight loss treatment that helps your body absorb less fat from food. The active ingredient in orlistat capsules is orlistat 120mg. Orlistat 120mg is also found under the branded name Xenical. Generic orlistat and Xenical contain the same active ingredient and work in the same way.

It works best when combined with healthy lifestyle changes and is designed to support steady, long-term weight loss.

Orlistat helps you lose weight by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from meals. It belongs to a group of medications called lipase inhibitors and works by blocking digestive enzymes called lipases. These enzymes usually break fat down so your body can absorb it. Orlistat stops part of that process.

Around a third of the fat you eat passes through your body instead of being absorbed, which lowers your calorie intake and supports weight loss over time.

How long does orlistat last?

Each dose of orlistat lasts while your body digests the meal you have taken it with. It has to be taken with a meal to work and no longer than 1 hour after, or it may not have much effect.

How long does orlistat take to work?

Orlistat starts working after your first dose, reducing fat absorption within 24 to 48 hours, but weight loss usually takes longer to show. Many people begin to see changes over the first few weeks when using it consistently with a lower-fat diet.

Your doctor will monitor your progress and recommend stopping treatment if you have not lost 5% of your starting weight after 12 weeks of taking orlistat.

How effective is orlistat?

Orlistat was shown to help 37% of people lose at least 5% of their starting weight within 12 weeks of treatment. These people then stayed on orlistat treatment for 1 year, and 49% went on to lose 10% or more of their starting weight.

Take orlistat exactly as prescribed. You can take 1 capsule up to 3 times a day, but you should skip a dose if you have a fat-free meal. Swallow one 120mg capsule either:

• just before or during a meal containing fat
• within 1 hour after eating

Swallow the capsule whole and do not open or try to dissolve it.

Orlistat and diet

You should take orlistat alongside a balanced, calorie-reduced diet, focusing on:

• healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
• lots of fruits and vegetables (for essential vitamins and minerals)

It’s recommended to have no more than 30% of your daily calories made up of healthy fat and to distribute your intake of fat, protein, and carbohydrates evenly across 3 main meals. Avoid eating fat between doses, as orlistat will not be effective for fat eaten between meals.

Doing this will reduce side effects like oily and loose stools and help you lose weight. Because orlistat reduces fat absorption, you may also need to take a multivitamin to help maintain normal levels of vitamins A, D, E, and K.

➤ Find out more ways to get the best results from orlistat.

How long do you need to take orlistat?

You can take orlistat every day, up to 3 times, for 12 weeks to begin with. Your doctor will monitor your progress and check that you have lost at least 5% of your weight by this time. If you have, and you do not have severe side effects, you can continue treatment as long as it remains suitable.

If you do not lose 5% of your weight after 12 weeks, our doctors may recommend an alternative weight loss treatment.

Orlistat dosages

Orlistat is available in:

• 120mg capsules – prescription-only, either as generic capsules or under the brand name Xenical
• 60mg capsules – a lower strength available over the counter, called alli or Orlos and can only be taken for 6 months maximum

The most common orlistat side effects affect the digestive system. These usually happen because extra fat is leaving the body and often improve over time, especially when you keep meals lower in fat.

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) include:

• headache
• stomach pain or discomfort
• needing to go to the toilet more urgently
• going to the toilet more often
• oily or fatty stools
• loose stools
• wind
• wind with oily spotting
• oily discharge
• low blood sugar levels in some people with type 2 diabetes

Common side effects (may affect 1 to 10 in 100 people) include:

• soft stools
• pain or discomfort around your anus
• bloating in some people with type 2 diabetes
• accidental bowel leakage
• tooth or gum problems
• irregular periods
• tiredness

Other reported side effects include:

• allergic reactions, which can cause itching, a rash, raised itchy patches on the skin, feeling sick, or difficulty breathing – call 999 if you develop symptoms of a severe allergic reaction
• blistering or peeling skin
• bleeding from your anus
• diverticulitis, inflammation of pouches in the wall of the large intestine
• gallstones
• pancreatitis
• hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), which can cause yellowing of the skin or eyes, itchy skin, dark urine, stomach pain, tenderness on your right-hand side, or loss of appetite
• kidney problems caused by a build-up of calcium oxalate, which can sometimes lead to kidney stones
• changes in liver enzyme levels, which may show up in blood tests

Speak to a doctor straight away or call 999 in an emergency if you get any serious side effects while taking orlistat.

How long do orlistat side effects last?

Orlistat side effects may be more likely when you first start treatment and while your body adjusts for the first few weeks. However, because it works by removing fat in your stools, digestive side effects may continue while you take it. Serious side effects may develop at any time.

What to do if you get orlistat side effects

To help manage orlistat side effects:

• keep meals low in fat (30% fat intake spread evenly across 3 meals)
• avoid very high-fat meals and foods
• drink plenty of water, especially if you’re having frequent or loose stools
• use over-the-counter painkillers for headaches
• make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamins and minerals to improve energy

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if side effects continue or feel difficult to manage.

Orlistat is not right for everyone. Certain health conditions and medications can affect how well it works or make it unsuitable.

You should not take orlistat if you:

• are under 18
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have long-term problems absorbing food
• have cholestasis (a liver problem)
• have kidney failure
• have had an allergic reaction to orlistat before

Let your doctor know about any other medical conditions before starting orlistat.

Orlistat and other medications

Tell your doctor before taking orlistat if you take any medications, including over-the-counter ones, especially:

• ciclosporin
• warfarin or other blood thinners
• levothyroxine or iodine salts
• epilepsy medication
• HIV treatment
• amiodarone
• a diabetes medication called acarbose
• medication for depression, psychiatric disorders, or anxiety

Orlistat may be suitable for you if you want to lose weight and your body mass index (BMI) is:

• 30 or above
• 28 or above, and you also have a weight-related health condition, like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes

If you meet the BMI requirements and do not have any medical conditions or take any medications that make orlistat unsuitable, you can be prescribed orlistat.

You can get orlistat online in the UK through registered online doctor services, such as Asda Online Doctor. It’s also available on the NHS. You can get lower doses of 60mg orlistat over the counter.

Can I buy orlistat online?

Yes. You can request orlistat online through Asda Online Doctor in 3 simple steps:

1. Complete a short medical questionnaire and send some confidential photos so we can check your BMI.
2. Have your answers reviewed by a registered doctor, who will check orlistat is safe and suitable for you.
3. If approved, orlistat will be sent for in-store Asda pharmacy collection or home delivery.

Asda Online Doctor makes it possible to access weight loss treatment safely without needing a face-to-face appointment.

Orlistat 120mg capsules require a prescription. However, a lower-strength 60mg version of orlistat is available over the counter from some pharmacies and Asda Online Doctor. These can only be taken for up to 6 months and include the brands alli and Orlos.

Can I get orlistat on the NHS?

Yes, if you have previously tried to lose weight through diet and exercise, and this has not worked, your GP may prescribe orlistat.

There are a few alternatives to orlistat, including other weight loss tablets or injections.

Orlistat alternatives available at Asda Online Doctor include:

• alli or Orlos – an over-the-counter orlistat capsule that reduces how much fat your body absorbs from food
• Xenical – a prescription-only, branded version of orlistat that reduces how much fat your body absorbs from food
• Mysimba – a prescription tablet containing naltrexone and bupropion that helps reduce your appetite and cravings
• Wegovy pill – a daily semaglutide tablet that helps reduce appetite and improve fullness between meals
• Mounjaro – a weekly tirzepatide injection that helps reduce appetite and keeps you feeling fuller for longer
• Wegovy injection – a weekly semaglutide injection that works by reducing hunger and helping you feel satisfied after eating
• Nevolat – a daily liraglutide injection that helps control appetite and supports weight loss

Orlistat vs Xenical

Orlistat and Xenical contain the same active ingredient and work in exactly the same way. The only difference is that orlistat is generic (unbranded) so may be cheaper.

Orlistat vs Wegovy pills

Orlistat and Wegovy pills are both oral weight loss treatments but contain different active ingredients, so work in a different way. Orlistat reduces fat absorption from your diet. Wegovy (semaglutide) works by reducing appetite and helping you feel full for longer by mimicking a hormone normally released after you eat.

Orlistat vs Mysimba

Orlistat and Mysimba are both weight loss tablets, but Mysimba contains 2 active ingredients called naltrexone and bupropion. It works on the parts of your brain responsible for appetite and energy, helping reduce appetite and cravings. Orlistat cannot reduce appetite, but does reduce how much fat is absorbed from your diet.

Is orlistat safe for long-term use?

Yes, orlistat can be safe for long-term use if you:

• do not have any conditions or take medications that interact with orlistat
• meet the BMI requirements (see ‘Who is orlistat suitable for?’)
• lose 5% or more of your weight by 12 weeks of starting it
• do not get ongoing, serious side effects

A doctor will supervise your treatment, and you should speak to them about any changes to your health or side effects.

Can you safely take Wegovy or Mounjaro and orlistat together?

It’s not recommended. While Wegovy/Mounjaro and orlistat are not listed as medications that interact with each other, they are both weight loss treatments that can cause weight loss and digestive side effects. Taken together, it could cause a rapid drop in weight which may cause health problems, like hair loss, facial sagging, and nutritional deficiencies, as well as a greatly increased chance of side effects. This means you’re more likely to get serious side effects, like dehydration from vomiting or diarrhoea, or pancreatitis.

These treatments are effective on their own, and there’s no need to take more than one. If you are not getting the results you want from orlistat, Wegovy or Mounjaro may be a more suitable option, and Wegovy also comes as pills if you do not want to take injections.

How long does orlistat stay in your system after the last dose?

Usually, the last of orlistat leaves your system within 2 to 3 days. Any side effects should settle within a few days, too.

Can I drink alcohol while taking orlistat?

Alcohol is not known to directly interact with orlistat. However, drinking alcohol can make weight loss harder and add extra calories, and may make digestive side effects worse. If you’re having regular loose stools and drinking alcohol, you may also be at a higher chance of dehydration. Try to limit your alcohol consumption and avoid it if you’re getting side effects until you feel better. Make sure to stay hydrated if you do drink alcohol.

Does the presence of oily stool mean that orlistat is working effectively?

Yes. Oily stools happen with orlistat due to unabsorbed fat leaving the body. This is a very common side effect of orlistat, especially after higher-fat meals, however, it does not always reflect how much weight you will lose.