Orlistat is the generic version of Xenical. It helps you lose weight by reducing the amount of fat you take up through food.
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In the stomach and small intestine, you’ll find enzymes, a catalyst that causes a particular biochemical reaction to happen. One such enzyme is called lipase. One of its jobs is to take the fat found in food and help store it as energy. Orlistat works by preventing the lipase enzyme from fulfilling this job. This means certain fats don’t get stored, but are instead excreted when you go to the toilet.
Orlistat, Alli and Xenical are sometimes referred to as ‘fat binders’, but this isn't a technically accurate way of describing how they work. Instead of binding to fat itself, the active ingredient orlistat attaches itself to the enzymes that are responsible for breaking fats down. This stops them from being absorbed by the digestive system.
Is Orlistat effective?
Most studies say that Orlistat is a safe and effective weight loss treatment if it’s taken as part of a plan that includes dieting and regular exercise.
Compared to placebos, there’s evidence that Orlistat is very effective and that it’s well tolerated. In some studies, it has been shown to help reduce body weight by 10% within six months. While different people react to treatments in different ways, Orlistat’s effectiveness and low risk of side effects means you can have some peace of mind when you’re using it.
How long before I lose weight on Orlistat?
So if you take Orlistat as part of a weight loss plan that includes diet and exercise, you may find that you lose up to 10% of your weight over six months. But the fact is, everyone is different, so there are no guarantees that it will happen in this timeframe.
If you haven’t noticed any changes in weight after several months of using it, alongside making changes to your diet and getting exercise, drop us a message and we can speak to you about alternative treatments.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to take Orlistat
Orlistat is taken three times a day with a meal. You can take it just before, during or up to an hour after you eat. Swallow each weight loss capsule whole with water. If you skip a meal, skip the tablet you’d have taken alongside it. For Orlistat to work, your meal needs to contain some level of fat. If you eat something without any fat content, you can skip that particular pill.
What if I forget to take one of my weight loss pills?
If you miss a weight loss capsule and it’s less than an hour since you’ve eaten a meal that contains fat, you can take it and gain all its benefits. If it’s been more than an hour since your meal, just skip that tablet and carry on taking it as you normally would. Do not take two tablets to make up for a missed one as this will likely cause issues with side effects and can be a significant risk to your health.
Who can take Orlistat?
You need to have a BMI of 30 or above (or 28 or above and an underlying health condition) that could benefit from weight loss. It will also usually only be prescribed if you’ve made significant effort to lose weight in the past. BMI is a relatively simple formula used to calculate a person’s weight. It divides your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. A healthy BMI for an adult is anywhere between 18.5 to 24.9.
Below 18.5 - underweight.
Between 18.5 to 24.9 - healthy weight.
Between 25 and 29.9 - overweight.
Between 30 and 39.9 - obese.
It should be noted that body mass index is not a perfect measure of your weight. For example, its ranges can change slightly for people with particular ethnicities because they may be more at risk from having a lower BMI. Therefore, Orlistat can be prescribed ‘off-label’ for some people whose BMI is below 30 (or 28 with an underlying health condition). You can’t take Orlistat if you suffer from certain conditions, like chronic malabsorption syndrome, cholestasis or if you’re breast-feeding. Orlistat needs to be taken alongside a weight loss plan that includes things like regular exercise and dieting. Our clinician can help you to come up with the right weight loss plan just for you.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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FAQ: Orlistat
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Is Orlistat an approved treatment for weight loss?
Answer:
Yes. Orlistat is a safe and licensed weight loss tablet approved with a prescription. Our clinician will monitor you using it to make sure that it’s working the way that it should for you.
Illegal diet pills, weight loss supplements or ‘fat burning tablets’ are widespread online, so you should always check you’re buying licensed medications from registered pharmacies.
If you notice any issues with the treatment, or if you have any concerns, send us a message.
Is Orlistat the same as Xenical?
Answer:
Xenical 120mg is a branded version of Orlistat. This means it contains the same active ingredient, and it works in the same way. The only real difference is branding and price, so it pays to compare the two before buying.
As is the case with Orlistat, you will need a prescription to buy it, whether you’re buying it online or not.
Alli vs Orlistat: what's the difference?
Answer:
Alli 60mg is a similar weight loss medication that contains the active ingredient orlistat. Alli tablets are available over-the-counter at certain high street pharmacies. Meaning you don’t need a prescription to get it. You’ll still need to have a consultation with a pharmacist prescriber at the pharmacy before you can purchase Alli, though.
Orlistat is a little different to Alli as it contains 120mg of the active ingredient, meaning that it’s twice as strong. You need a prescription for it on this basis.
Are there other approved weight loss treatments?
Answer:
Yes. Certain weight loss treatments work in a different way, like Saxenda. Saxenda is an injectable weight loss medication that works by suppressing appetite. There’s a tablet weight loss treatment called Mysimba too, which also affects parts of the brain that manage how much food you eat to help you control cravings.
Why should I buy Orlistat with Treated?
Answer:
We’ll help you to make an informed choice about the right weight loss treatment for you. Tell us about your health, and we’ll recommend weight loss options that are safe and suitable. Choose your medication, and how regularly you’d like to receive it from us, and the quantity of it too. Change, pause or cancel your subscription at any point.
At Treated, we think aftercare is just as important as the first consultation, so our clinicians will check in with you regularly to see how you’re getting on with your treatment. And if you’ve got any questions, just send us a message using your account.
Van Gaal, L.F., Broom, J.I., Enzi, G., Toplak, H. and The Orlistat Dose-Ranging Study Group (1998).
Efficacy and tolerability of orlistat in the treatment of obesity: a 6-month dose-ranging study. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, [online] 54(2), pp.125–132.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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