Orlistat

Orlistat is a weight loss treatment that directly targets dietary fat. When taken with meals, it prevents the absorption of around 30% of the fat found in food, leading to weight loss over time.

Orlistat and the branded version Xenical are available from 121doc in the form of 120 mg capsules after a short online consultation.

Orlistat directly targets dietary fat to help you lose weight. It does this by taking excess fat from food that would normally be stored in the body, and excreting it with your poo instead.

With less dietary fat, Orlistat causes your body to turn to stored fat for energy instead. This can lead to weight loss over time in people who take Orlistat capsules alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Clinical trials have shown that Orlistat 120 mg can help people lose 10% of their starting weight on average after a year of consistent use. This same study found that, during the second year of treatment, patients who continued using Orlistat regained half as much weight as patients who switched to a placebo. These findings show that Orlistat not only supports initial weight loss but also helps patients keep the weight off in the long term.

Please note that Orlistat results are subject to individual responses to treatment. If you are taking Orlistat and not losing weight, speak with your doctor to determine the cause. It may be that your lifestyle choices are counteracting the effects of Orlistat. Alternatively, you might need to try a different weight loss treatment.

Orlistat vs Mounjaro: which is better for weight loss?

Mounjaro typically offers better weight loss results than Orlistat, but there’s more than just the numbers to think about.

According to clinical trials, Mounjaro can cause you to lose roughly 17% of your body weight after a year, and up to 21% after 72 weeks. This compares favourably to the 10% weight loss offered by Orlistat. However, you may prefer Orlistat to Mounjaro if you prefer capsules to injections. Also, if you cannot take Mounjaro due to health reasons, you may still be able to take Orlistat capsules. This is because the medicines contain different active ingredients and work in different ways.

You should not take Orlistat with any other weight loss medication, including GLP-1s like Mounjaro. Doing so can increase the risk of side effects or affect the effectiveness of either medicine. Tell your doctor about any other medicines you take before starting treatment on Orlistat to ensure safety.

Orlistat prevents fat absorption immediately after taking it for the first time, but it can take some time before you notice a difference in your weight. In one study, roughly 73% of patients lost weight after 6 months, with 19.3% losing over 10 kg.

To be prescribed Orlistat or Xenical from 121doc, you must be 18 years or older, and have:

• a BMI of 30 or above, or
• a BMI of 27 or above with a weight-related condition

Do not take Orlistat if you:

• are allergic to orlistat or any other ingredient found in this medicine
• have chronic malabsorption syndrome
• have cholestasis (a liver disorder)
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Orlistat can cause side effects, although most are mild, and not everyone will get them.

The most common Orlistat side effects are:

• headache
• abdominal pain
• urgent need to poo
• flatulence (wind) with discharge
• oily discharge
• oily or fatty stools
• liquid stools
• low blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes

For a full list of Orlistat (Xenical) side effects, consult the patient information leaflet.

Are there any long-term side effects of Orlistat?

Most Orlistat side effects are mild and temporary, particularly gastrointestinal effects. One thing to keep in mind is that Orlistat use can reduce the absorption of certain vitamins along with fat. In the short term, this can cause fatigue and brain fog. In the long term, it can impact bone health. To help prevent this, take a multivitamin every day to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs.

Can Orlistat cause constipation?

Constipation is not a listed side effect of Orlistat, but it has been reported only in rare cases. More likely gastrointestinal side effects are oily or fatty stools, or an increased need to poo. If you experience side effects like these from taking Orlistat, speak with your doctor for advice. They may suggest an alternative treatment plan.

Orlistat doesn’t usually make you need to go to the toilet immediately. However, it can cause some changes in your bowel movements, especially if you experience other gastrointestinal side effects. You may notice a change in your bowel movements after eating a fatty meal. This is because unabsorbed fat is passed in your stool. To avoid this, adopt a low-fat diet.

No, Orlistat does not burn existing fat. Instead, Orlistat directly targets fat in the food you eat, expelling it from your body when you go to the toilet. Since it targets dietary fat and not existing fat, it is only effective when taken with meals.

Xenical, the branded version of Orlistat, was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 1998, meaning it has a long track record of clinical use and monitoring. If you receive a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider like 121doc, you can rest assured that your health is in good hands. If you experience side effects or feel like something is wrong with your treatment, let a doctor know immediately and they can advise you further.

Orlistat 120 mg capsules generally stay in your system for 12-72 hours after taking them. Consult your doctor if you notice side effects as a result of prolonged use of Orlistat.

Unlike GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy, Orlistat does not suppress your appetite. It works instead by reducing the amount of fat absorbed from the food you eat. For this reason, it doesn’t cause you to eat less, rather it makes the fatty food you eat less calorific.

Orlistat only blocks fat absorption from the food you eat. This means it has no effect if you take it without food. For this reason, you should only take it before, during, or no later than 1 hour after a meal.

Moderate alcohol consumption is generally safe while taking Orlistat, but alcohol is high in calories and may interfere with your weight loss goals. Drinking heavily can also increase digestive side effects like oily stools, headache, or abdominal pain. In general, you should avoid heavy drinking while taking Orlistat.

Orlistat 120 mg can only be obtained with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider like 121doc. However, a 60 mg capsule called Alli is available without a prescription from some providers. At 121doc, we offer 120 mg capsules to those who meet prescribing criteria in their online consultation.

A prescription from a trusted healthcare provider like 121doc ensures:

• safety during treatment
• effective results
• monitoring of side effects

To see if you’re eligible for treatment, all you have to do is complete a short online consultation. If approved by our medical team, your treatment will be delivered direct to your door in discreet packaging.