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Orlistat 120mg Capsules

Orlistat 120mg Capsules

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Buy Orlistat Online in the UK

Orlistat 120mg capsules work by blocking the absorption of dietary fats, supporting weight loss efforts and maintaining a healthier lifestyle. Available with an online consultation from our team.

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 Do Orlistat Capsules Work?

Normally, fat from your food is broken down by enzymes in your stomach and intestines and absorbed into your body where it’s stored. Orlistat works by preventing as much as 30% of the fat you eat being stored by your body. Instead, it passes straight through your digestive system and leaves your body in your poo.

In most cases, your doctor will recommend taking Orlistat three times per day with each main meal you eat. You can take Orlistat with your food, or up to an hour after your meal. If your food doesn’t contain any fat or you skip a meal, you don’t need to take your dose of Orlistat.

How Much Weight Can I Lose With Orlistat 120mg Capsules?

Research suggests that people who take Orlistat lose around 50% more weight than they would if they relied on diet and exercise alone. In one study, people who took Orlistat experienced an average reduction of 5-10% from their initial weight after three months. This weight loss increased to 10-15% after a year.

Orlistat is designed to help people lose weight when taken alongside a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise. It’s important to make your weight loss targets safe and realistic. According to the NHS, a goal of losing 0.5-1kg (1-2lb) per week is safe for most adults. However, weight loss can vary from person to person based on their height, weight, diet and other factors.

How Long Do Orlistat Capsules Take To Work?

Orlistat could begin to affect the way your body absorbs fat in as little as 48 hours. However, it’s likely to be a few weeks, or even months, before you begin to see a real difference in your weight and appearance.

Orlistat doesn’t work for everyone, so there is a chance you won’t see any weight loss when taking the medication. If you haven’t lost weight after three months, it probably won’t be an effective treatment for you. Talk to your doctor about other options.

Who Can Get Orlistat Capsules?

Orlistat capsules are available on prescription in the UK. Your doctor might recommend them if you’ve made a significant effort to lose weight through diet, exercise or changing your lifestyle, but are yet to achieve a healthy BMI.

In general, Orlistat is only prescribed if you have a BMI of 30 or more (you are classed as obese).

Orlistat can also be prescribed if you have a BMI of 28, however in this case, you would need to have other weight related conditions like high blood pressure or type II diabetes to be considered.

    Alternatives To Orlistat Capsules

    Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the variety and accessibility of weight loss medications in the UK. As a result, there’s now a selection of treatments available for people looking to achieve a healthy BMI, including Orlistat.

    There’s no one-size-fits-all weight loss medication. You may need to try a few different weight loss treatments to find the option that’s right for you. Some of the most popular alternatives to Orlistat 120mg capsules are:

    • Alli
    • Saxenda
    • Wegovy
    • Mounjaro

    Orlistat Vs All

    Alli is an over-the-counter version of Orlistat. It works in the same way as the prescription-only medication but contains less of the active ingredient and so generally people who take it lose less weight than those who take Orlistat. However, this also means Alli normally causes fewer side effects. It is also often more affordable than Orlistat.

    Orlistat Vs Saxenda

    Saxenda contains an active ingredient called liraglutide. The main differences between Saxenda and Orlistat are that Saxenda is injected once per day while Orlistat is taken as an oral tablet three times per day. And where Orlistat works by preventing fat from being absorbed into the body, Saxenda is designed to reduce your appetite and make you feel fuller for longer.

    Orlistat Vs Wegovy

    Wegovy is taken as a weekly injection and, like Saxenda, could help to reduce your appetite and lower your calorie intake. It’s generally considered to be more effective than Orlistat, but it’s also more expensive and is only available to patients who meet certain criteria.

    Orlistat Vs Mounjaro

    Like Wegovy, Mounjaro is taken as a once-weekly injection. It’s also more effective than Orlistat.

    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.

    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.