Orlistat 120mg

Orlistat Product Information

Orlistat 120mg is a prescription-only weight loss aid for adult patients with a BMI over 30 or those with associated risk factors (such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol) and a BMI above 28. It is currently the only approved weight loss medication in the US. Combined with a healthy, lower-calorie, reduced-fat diet and exercise, it can help you lose more weight than by dieting alone.

What is the active ingredient in Orlistat?

Orlistat is the generic name for the active ingredient orlistat at a dose of 120mg.

How does Orlistat work?

Unlike an appetite suppressant, the drug reduces the fat your body absorbs from your food. This active ingredient is what’s known as a dietary fat binder. Contrary to popular belief, it does not bind to the fat in the food; rather, it binds to the enzymes in your stomach that break down fats. Orlistat attaches to the stomach enzyme lipase, effectively blocking it from breaking down and digesting some fat molecules. This then causes approximately one-third of the fat in the meal not to be absorbed and pass through your system.

How effective is Orlistat?

Orlistat works by blocking the enzyme that breaks down fat in the stomach. This means that fat in the diet cannot be fully absorbed, assisting in weight loss. Clinical studies have found that it can achieve 50% more weight loss when used correctly compared to dieting alone. Results are also seen quickly, increasing body fat excretion within 24-48 hours of starting the medication. Orlistat may be suitable for you if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or above or a BMI above 28 kg/m² with risk factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes. To read more about the efficacy of Orlistat, view our comprehensive blog article, ‘How effective is Orlistat?’

Clinical trial data found that approximately 67% of patients who took Orlistat alongside a low-calorie diet successfully lost a minimum of 5% of their body weight after only 12 weeks, of which 62% went on to continue to lose more significant than 10% of their body weight after just one year.

Can I take Orlistat?

The tablets of 120mg orlistat are for those who are medically obese, that is, with a BMI of 30 and above. It is beneficial for those who suffer from a chronic disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. You should not take this medication if you are pregnant.

 You can quickly calculate your BMI by entering your height and weight into our BMI calculator.

How should I take Orlistat?

Swallow a pill whole with water three times a day, before, during or up to one hour after meals. You are not recommended to take the medicine for more than six months and discontinue the treatment if you don’t see any results after three months. You should not take a slimming capsule if you skip a meal or eat a meal deficient in fat.

Taking Orlistat makes it more difficult for your body to absorb specific vitamins such as A, D, E and K. As a result, these should be supplemented daily. Few multivitamins contain all the vitamins and minerals required to replenish your micronutrient levels fully. We recommend OneVit Complete, a daily multivitamin specifically formulated to account for the nutrient depletions commonly experienced with Orlistat. Take OneVit Complete once daily, at least 2 hours before or after Orlistat, such as at bedtime.

Is Orlistat effective? How fast does it work?

Orlistat starts working immediately. With a healthy diet and an exercise regime, Orlistat can help you lose 5% of your initial body weight after three months of treatment.

It begins to work as soon as you take it, and you can see results depending on your lifestyle changes.

How does Orlistat help me lose weight?

Orlistat prevents your body from absorbing a quarter of the fat molecules you eat. Without this extra fat, your body utilises stored fat to obtain energy for daily activity.

Orlistat Video Guide

Watch our patient care expert explain everything you need to know about Orlistat.

 

Orlistat FAQs

Where can I buy Orlistat online in the US?

Orlistat is approved for sale in the US as a weight loss treatment. It was initially approved on prescription only as Xenical. The 60mg version was approved for sale without prescription by the European Medicines Agency on the 21st of January 2009.

Does taking Orlistat mean I can eat anything I like?

Orlistat should be taken as a weight loss aid, not as the centre of a weight loss regime. It still takes a healthy diet, exercise and self-motivation to achieve the goals possible while taking this medication. Having a high-fat diet when taking Orlistat can also increase your risk of unwanted side effects. If taken as recommended by the manufacturer, you should be able to lose an extra 50% on top of your current weight loss.

What is the difference between Orlistat, Xenical and Alli?

Orlistat is the name of a weight loss medication which reduces the absorption of fat from the diet. Some people may know it by the brand name of Xenical. This brand of medication contains 120mg of Orlistat in each capsule, which is the same as our generic Orlistat 120mg capsules. They are medically equivalent and interchangeable; however, as Xenical is the branded version, it is more expensive. Alli is another brand of medication that is the active ingredient of Orlistat; however, it only contains 60mg of Orlistat in each capsule. This lower dose of Orlistat may be preferred as it can reduce the likelihood of experiencing side effects. The lower 60mg dose in Alli is recommended if you are overweight (BMI 28+), while the higher dose of 120mg in Xenical and Orlistat is to help weight loss in obese (BMI 30+) patients. While Xenical and Generic Orlistat are prescription-only medications, Alli is available over the counter from UK pharmacies. More information can be found here . What is the difference between Orlistat, Xenical, and Alli?

Should I take an Orlistat capsule if my meal has no fat?

If you have a meal containing very low or zero fat, such as green salad without dressing, you should skip your Orlistat capsule. If your diet is deficient in fat already, you may only need to take one or two capsules daily.

What if I forget to take Orlistat?

Do not worry; weight loss is a slow, gradual process. You must have one capsule to maintain your weight loss program, as each capsule affects only the meal it has taken. This means missing one will not have any knock-on effects when continuing the treatment.

Should I skip meals whilst taking Orlistat?

It is not recommended to skip meals during the day. Maintaining a scheduled diet and avoiding unnecessary snacking is the best way to achieve a healthy weight loss plan. A study from The Journal of Nutrition looked into the optimal schedule for eating throughout the day. It found that having breakfast as the largest meal of the day and scaling down the portion sizes throughout the day, followed by a long overnight fast, is the most optimal schedule.

Can I drink alcohol while taking Orlistat?

Orlistat does not directly interact with alcohol, so it is not dangerous to drink alcohol when taking Orlistat. It is, however, essential to note that alcohol contains a high volume of calories and will negatively impact your weight loss regime if not moderated. The effects of alcohol can also affect your decision-making when eating and snacking.