Orlos 60mg tablets

Orlos is an over-the-counter weight loss capsule that contains 60mg of the active ingredient orlistat. It’s available without a doctor’s prescription, though you’ll still need to answer a few questions before purchasing it.

Orlos is a branded lower-dose version of orlistat, similar to alli. It’s a fat absorption blocker, also known as a lipase inhibitor, which helps you lose weight by lowering the amount of dietary fat your body absorbs from food.

The active ingredient in Orlos, orlistat, is a lipase inhibitor which stops the enzyme lipase from breaking down fat. This prevents your body from absorbing approximately 25% of the fat in your diet. The undigested fat is passed out of your body in your stool, reducing your energy intake and therefore contributing to weight loss.

Orlos is most effective for weight loss when taken alongside a calorie-controlled diet and an exercise plan, and can help make it easier to follow these lifestyle changes.

How long does Orlos take to work?

Orlos starts to work within 24 to 48 hours, with increased fat levels detected in stools at this time. However, it can take 2 to 3 weeks to notice any significant weight loss.

How effective is Orlos?

Clinical trials have shown that 60mg orlistat capsules taken 3 times a day can result in more than 50% of people losing at least 5% of their starting body weight within 6 months. The average weight loss with orlistat was 5.2kg compared to 3.1kg with a placebo.

Another study found that orlistat 60mg can lead to an average weight loss of at least 5% over 16 weeks. Orlos can also improve total cholesterol by 2.4% and lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or ‘bad’ cholesterol levels by 3.5%.

Orlos tablets should be swallowed whole with water, either just before, during, or within 1 hour of eating a meal that contains fat.

Orlos can be taken up to 3 times a day. If you do not eat a meal containing fat, there is no need to take Orlos.

How much Orlos to take (dosage)

You can take one 60mg Orlos capsule up to 3 times a day with a meal that contains fat, for a maximum daily dose of 180mg. You must not take more than 3 Orlos capsules per day.

If you eat a meal that does not contain any dietary fat, you do not need to take Orlos. It will not be effective unless you eat fat.

How long do you need to take Orlos for?

You can take Orlos for a maximum of 6 months.

If you have not lost at least 5% of your body weight within 3 months, your doctor or pharmacist may suggest that you stop taking Orlos, as it may not be effective for you. You may notice some changes in your weight within 2 to 3 weeks of starting Orlos, but it can take up to 3 months to see the full effect.

Orlos is recommended for people:

• over 18
• who have been unable to lose weight through diet and exercise alone
• with a body mass index (BMI) of 28 or higher

Like all medications, Orlos can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Very common side effects include:

• wind with or without oily spotting
• sudden bowel movements
• fatty or oily stools
• soft stools

Common side effects include:

• stomach pain
• incontinence
• runny or liquid poo
• more frequent bowel motions
• anxiety

“Side effects that affect your stools and digestive system are more likely if you eat a lot of dietary fat while taking Orlos. About 30% of your daily calories should come from healthy forms of fat to reduce the risk and severity of side effects. You should spread this equally between your 3 meals. For example, in a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet, this is less than 67g of fat, divided into 3 meals.” – Dr Zoe Miller, Medical Editor.

How long do Orlos side effects last?

Side effects should get better or go away on their own once your body gets used to the medication. If they continue or you find them difficult to manage, speak to your doctor, who may recommend an alternative weight loss treatment.

What to do if you get Orlos side effects

If you get Orlos side effects, they should improve on their own, and you may be able to manage them at home by:

• only eating a small amount of dietary fat (about 30% of your daily calorie intake, spread between 3 meals)
• staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water and clear fluids throughout the day to prevent dehydration
• getting rest until you feel better
• introducing more fibre into your diet to help bulk up your stool
• speaking to your doctor or pharmacist about anti-diarrhoea medication

If your symptoms persist or are affecting your daily life, contact your doctor for further advice.

If you get any of the following side effects, you should get urgent medical attention or call 999 if it is an emergency:

• severe allergic reaction, with symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling in the face, dizziness, or collapse
• bleeding from your back passage
• diverticulitis (symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or changes in bowel habits)
• pancreatitis (with symptoms such as severe pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever, or a rapid heartbeat)
• skin blistering
• severe stomach pain
• hepatitis (symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue and fever)
• kidney stones (causing symptoms like pain in the lower back, abdomen or side as well as fever and nausea)

Orlos may not be suitable for everyone. Certain health conditions or medications can interact with Orlos and make it less effective or potentially unsafe.

Do not take Orlos if you:

• are allergic to orlistat or any of the other ingredients
• are under 18
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• are taking ciclosporin
• are taking warfarin
• have cholestasis (meaning the bile flow through your biliary system is slowing down or stalling)
• have problems absorbing food

Before taking Orlos, let your doctor or pharmacist know if you have:

• diabetes
• kidney disease

Orlos and other medications

Some medications can make Orlos less effective or potentially unsafe. You should let your doctor or pharmacist know if you are taking any over-the-counter, prescribed, or herbal medications. Do not take Orlos with the following medications:

• ciclosporin
• warfarin

If you’re taking a contraceptive pill, Orlos can make it less effective if you get severe diarrhoea. You may need to use an extra method of contraception, like condoms. Follow the steps in your contraceptive pill patient information leaflet for a missed pill for how long you need to use additional contraception. You can also speak to your doctor or a pharmacist for tailored advice.

While taking Orlos, it’s recommended to take a multivitamin, as the medication can lower the levels of certain vitamins absorbed by your body. You should take a multivitamin that contains the following vitamins:

• A
• D
• E
• K

Before taking Orlos, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking:

• amiodarone
• acarbose
• thyroid medication (levothyroxine)
• epilepsy medication
• medications to treat HIV
• depression, psychiatric disorder, or anxiety medications
• medications for high blood pressure
• high cholesterol medications

Orlos is available over the counter without a prescription, but you will need to answer a few health questions with a pharmacist or as part of an online consultation to ensure it’s safe for you to take.

Can I buy Orlos online?

Yes, you can request Orlos quickly and discreetly online from Asda Online Doctor by:

1. Completing a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review.
2. Placing your order request.
3. If approved, your 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 is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

By requesting Orlos from us, you can avoid waiting for an appointment or visiting a pharmacy in person to get your medication. You’ll receive a free weight loss support pack created by our in-house nutritionist and doctors to help you reach your weight loss goals. You can also message a doctor for advice and support for free through your private online account.

Can I buy Orlos over the counter?

Yes, Orlos is available over-the-counter without a prescription. However, it is a pharmacy medication, which means you will need to have a consultation with a pharmacist, so they can decide if Orlos is safe and appropriate for you to take.

Can I get Orlos on the NHS?

No, Orlos is not available on the NHS because it can be bought over the counter. However, the higher strength orlistat 120mg tablets may be available, but you will need to make an appointment with your GP to find out.

If you’re not sure if Orlos is right for you, there are several other weight loss medications available, including tablets and injections. Your doctor can discuss your needs and help you decide which one is right for you. At Asda, we can provide the following weight loss treatments:

• Mounjaro
• Wegovy
• Nevolat
• orlistat
• Xenical
• alli
• Mysimba
• Wegovy pill

Weight loss injections

Weight loss injections are only available with a prescription from a doctor, and you must have a BMI over 30, or over 27 with at least 1 weight-related condition. At Asda Online Doctor, we can provide the following weight loss injections:

• Mounjaro – a once-weekly injection that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide and can help you lose an average of 22.5% of your starting body weight after 72 weeks at the highest dose
• Wegovy – a semaglutide-containing once-weekly injection that can help you lose on average 21% of your initial body weight after 72 weeks of treatment
• Nevolat – a generic liraglutide injection that is taken daily and can result in an 8% average weight loss after 56 weeks at the highest dose

The only similarity between Orlos and the Wegovy pill is their form, a tablet. Here is an overview on the differences between Orlos and the Wegovy pill:

For more information on the Wegovy pill check out our guide.

Orlos is a different branded form of alli. They are both available over the counter, contain 60mg of orlistat, and work in exactly the same way. The only differences between Orlos and alli are the price and the brand.

Orlos, orlistat, and Xenical all contain the same active ingredient: orlistat. The main differences are the dose, brand name, and whether they need a prescription:

Like Orlos, Mysimba is a weight loss tablet. Orlos contains orlistat, while Mysimba has 2 active ingredients: bupropion and naltrexone.

Orlistat works by reducing the absorption of fat in the diet, whereas Mysimba acts on the area of the brain responsible for hunger to reduce cravings and hunger levels, so you can more easily follow a lower-calorie diet.