Orlistat Product Information
Orlistat 120mg is a prescription-only weight loss aid for adult patients with a BMI of 30kg/m2 or above, or those with a BMI of 27kg/m2 or above who have associated risk factors such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Orlistat 120mg works best when taken with a healthy, calorie-restricted diet as part of a holistic plan to achieve weight loss goals.
Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor, which means it reduces the amount of fat your body absorbs from food[1] by attaching to the ‘lipase’ enzyme in the stomach and preventing it from breaking down fat molecules.
It is important to clarify that Orlistat does not bind to the fat in food. Instead, it binds to enzymes in the stomach that break down fats, thereby reducing fat absorption.
Orlistat is highly effective at accelerating weight loss when compared to dieting. According to studies:
- Individuals who dieted and took Orlistat lost 10.2% of their body weight over one year, compared to 6.1% among those who only dieted but did not take Orlistat[2].
- Approximately 67% of individuals taking Orlistat alongside a low-calorie diet lost at least 5% of their body weight within 12 weeks, with 62% of individuals continuing to lose more than 10% of their body weight after one year[3].
For more information on maximising the effectiveness of Orlistat, read our guide to getting the most out of your weight loss treatment.
Orlistat 120mg is suitable for individuals who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or above. Orlistat 120mg can also be taken by individuals with a BMI of 28 kg/m² or above if the individual is at risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.
In contrast, the lower dose of Orlistat 60mg, which is available under the brand names Orlos and Alli, is suitable for use by individuals with a BMI of 28 or above.
Click here to calculate your BMI by entering your height and weight into our BMI calculator.
Swallow one Orlistat capsule whole with water with a meal, taking the medication three times per day.
Orlistat should be taken before, during or up to one hour after meals.
If you have taken Orlistat for more than 6 months and you do not experience sufficient weight loss, discontinue treatment and speak with our pharmacists or a doctor for further advice.
Orlistat can inhibit the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Therefore, it's recommended that patients take a multivitamin supplement containing these vitamins to ensure adequate nutrition.
Taking a daily multivitamin, such as OneVit Complete Multivitamin, prevents a deficiency in these micronutrients, reducing the risk of symptoms such as a weakened immune system.
Orlistat begins to work within 24 to 48 hours of ingestion by inhibiting the absorption of dietary fats.
Noticeable weight loss typically occurs within the first two weeks when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
The rate of weight loss varies among individuals, depending on factors such as adherence to dietary guidelines and overall lifestyle.
Watch our patient care expert explain everything you need to know about Orlistat.
Orlistat FAQs
No - Orlistat is a weight loss aid that works best when you follow a healthy, calorie-restricted diet. Our guide to creating the ultimate Orlistat diet plan details which foods you can eat and which foods to avoid while taking Orlistat for weight loss.
Orlistat, Xenical, Alli, and Orlos are all weight loss treatments containing different dosages of the same active ingredient, orlistat.
- Orlistat 120mg is a generic treatment containing 120mg of orlistat.
- Xenical is the branded version of Orlistat 120mg.
- Orlos contains 60mg of orlistat.
- Alli is medically identical to Orlos.
The manufacturers of generic treatments, such as Orlistat 120mg, are carefully vetted by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency to ensure their products offer the same quality, strength, stability, and effectiveness as branded treatments.
It is important to note that generic treatments are medically identical to branded treatments, with the only difference being that generic treatments are cheaper as they are not branded.
| |
Xenical |
Orlistat |
Alli |
Orlos |
| |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Active Ingredient |
Orlistat |
Orlistat |
Orlistat |
Orlistat |
| Strength |
120mg |
120mg |
60mg |
60mg |
| Eligibility |
BMI 30+ |
BMI 30+ |
BMI 28+ |
BMI 28+ |
| Branded or Generic? |
Branded |
Generic |
Branded |
Branded |
Taking Orlistat with a meal that has no fat in it could make the medication ineffective due to the way the medication works.
Orlistat prevents the absorption of dietary fat, allowing it to pass through the body undigested. If the meal contains no fat, then Orlistat may affect the digestive system, causing symptoms such as digestive discomfort and oily stools.
While Orlistat is known to cause gastrointestinal side effects such as oily or loose stools, it does not typically cause constipation.
In fact, due to its mechanism of preventing fat absorption, some users may experience more frequent bowel movements. However, individual responses can vary, and if constipation occurs, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional for guidance.
Missing one Orlistat capsule will not negatively affect your weight loss progress as each capsule only affects the meal it is taken before. This means that missing one capsule will not have any knock-on effects on continuing the treatment.
Orlistat requires the individual to follow a calorie-restricted, low-fat diet during weight loss treatment.
While fasting can help with achieving this, it is better to reduce portion sizes as opposed to skipping meals altogether if possible. This is due to the effects of skipping meals on the body’s metabolism.
Prolonged fasting can slow down metabolic rate, potentially making it harder to sustain long-term weight loss.
Additionally, skipping meals may increase hunger and lead to overeating later in the day, which can counteract the benefits of Orlistat.
It is fine to drink alcohol while taking Orlistat as the medication does not directly interact with alcohol.
However, alcohol contains a high volume of calories and is therefore likely to negatively impact weight loss progress.
Moreover, alcohol consumption can influence food choices, often leading to cravings for high-fat and high-sugar foods as well as a reduced ability to regulate portion sizes. This can contribute to overeating and increased calorie intake which can negatively impact weight loss progress.
The use of Orlistat during pregnancy or breastfeeding is not recommended, as Orlistat impairs the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, potentially affecting foetal or infant development.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised to consult their healthcare provider for personalised advice on weight management.
Orlistat 120mg Overview
What are the side effects of Orlistat?
The main side effects of Orlistat include:
- oily rectal discharge
- passing gas with oily discharge
- abdominal pain
- low blood sugar
- urgent need to have a bowel movement
- liquid, oily, or fatty stools
- increased number of bowel movements
- being unable to control your bowel movements
All medications can cause side effects. You may not experience any of them. The majority of the common side effects experienced with Orlistat are related to the way it works in your digestive system. These side effects are usually mild and occur at the beginning of treatment or after eating high fat meals. Normally these symptoms will subside as you continue treatment and follow your recommended diet.
The most common side effects of Orlistat, which may affect more than 1 in 10 people include headache, abdominal pain or discomfort, urgent or increased need to open the bowels, wind, oily discharge or oily/fatty stools.
Information Leaflet
Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.
Written and reviewed by our qualified team