Are there any foods I should avoid?
High-fat foods are the most important type of food you need to avoid when taking Orlistat. In general, try to choose foods that contain less than 5g of fat per 100g, and aim to eat a total of around 40-50g of fat a day (fat shouldn’t add up to more than 30% of your daily calorie intake). It can be helpful to be prepared and think of some food swaps you can make before you start your course of treatment. Such as:
- boiled or poached eggs instead of fried eggs
- lean meat, tofu and lentils instead of sausages, pork belly or salami
- white fish like cod instead of canned fish
- fruit instead of biscuits, ice-cream or cakes
- semi-skimmed milk instead of full-fat milk.
By making simple swaps like this, you can still enjoy foods you’d normally eat while taking Orlistat.
Will Orlistat affect my vitamin levels?
Yes, Orlistat can hinder fat absorption, which can also affect the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamins A, D, E and K. These vitamins are typically absorbed with dietary fats and stored in the liver and fatty tissue. As a result, it’s recommended to take supplements containing vitamins A, D, E and K, to ensure you have a sufficient amount of nutrients.
Will Orlistat affect my contraception?
Your contraceptive shouldn't be affected when taking Orlistat. However, if you get severe diarrhoea or vomiting, and you use an oral contraceptive, this might render it less effective. In this case, use an additional form of contraception and check the patient leaflet provided with your contraceptive for more information.
