Orlistat for Weight Loss: How It Works, Results and Side Effects

Orlistat is one of the longest-established medicines for weight management. Unlike appetite suppressants, it works inside your digestive system to reduce how much fat your body absorbs from food. If you are considering generic orlistat, this guide explains how it works, how to take orlistat 120mg correctly, what results are realistic, and which side effects to expect.

What Is Orlistat?

Orlistat is a medicine used to help adults with obesity, or who are overweight with related health risks, lose weight and keep it off. It is usually recommended for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, or 28 or more when there are other risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Your doctor will decide whether it is suitable for you.

The prescription strength is 120 mg capsules. A lower 60 mg strength is also available in some countries. Generic orlistat contains the same active ingredient as the branded versions. Orlijohn-120, for example, is a generic orlistat 120mg capsule.

How Orlistat Works

When you eat, enzymes called lipases break down dietary fat into smaller parts that your gut can absorb. Orlistat blocks these lipase enzymes in the stomach and small intestine. As a result, about 30% of the fat in a meal is not digested and passes out of the body in the stool instead of being absorbed.

Because it acts in the gut, very little orlistat is absorbed into the bloodstream. It does not affect appetite, and it does not block the absorption of carbohydrates or protein. That is why it only works when you eat meals containing some fat, and why your diet matters so much.

How to Take Orlistat 120mg

Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the patient leaflet. The usual approach is:

• Take one 120 mg capsule with water immediately before, during, or up to one hour after each main meal.
• Take no more than three capsules a day.
• If you miss a meal, or a meal contains no fat, skip that dose.
• Spread your daily fat, carbohydrate and protein intake across three main meals.

Why diet matters

Orlistat is designed to be used with a reduced-calorie diet in which about 30% of calories come from fat. Eating very fatty meals while taking it does not lead to more weight loss; it mainly leads to more unpleasant digestive side effects. Many people find this acts as a useful reminder to choose lower-fat foods.

The Multivitamin: When to Take It

Because orlistat reduces fat absorption, it can also reduce how well your body absorbs fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E and K, as well as beta-carotene. Prescribers often recommend a daily multivitamin that contains these vitamins.

The timing is important. Take the multivitamin at least two hours before or after an orlistat dose. Many people find taking it at bedtime is the easiest way to keep the two apart.

What Results Can You Realistically Expect?

Orlistat is not a quick fix and it does not melt fat away on its own. It is a helping hand alongside lasting changes to eating and activity. People who combine it with a lower-calorie diet generally lose more weight than those who rely on diet alone, but the extra amount is modest.

Some realistic points to keep in mind:

• Weight loss tends to be gradual. Aiming for a steady, safe rate is healthier than rapid loss.
• In the UK, guidance suggests reviewing treatment after about 12 weeks. If you have not lost at least 5% of your starting body weight by then, your doctor may suggest stopping, as it may not be the right option for you.
• Results vary a lot between individuals, depending on diet, activity, health conditions and consistency.
• Keeping weight off depends on maintaining the habits you build during treatment.

Side Effects of Orlistat

The most common side effects happen in the gut, because undigested fat passes through. They are usually worse after fatty meals and often ease as you adjust your diet. They include:

• Oily spotting from the bottom
• Wind with an oily discharge
• Needing to go to the toilet urgently or more often
• Fatty or oily stools
• Stomach pain or discomfort

Less commonly, orlistat has been linked with liver problems. Stop taking it and contact a doctor straight away if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe itching or pain in the upper right side of the tummy.

Who Should Not Take Orlistat?

Orlistat is not suitable if you:

• Have a long-term problem absorbing food (chronic malabsorption syndrome)
• Have cholestasis, a condition where bile flow from the liver is reduced
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Are allergic to orlistat or any ingredient in the capsule

Orlistat can also interact with some medicines, including ciclosporin, levothyroxine, warfarin, some epilepsy medicines and some HIV medicines. It may also reduce the effectiveness of the oral contraceptive pill if it causes severe diarrhoea. Tell your doctor about everything you take. The NHS has more detail on its orlistat information page.

Orlistat Price: Generic vs Brand

Generic orlistat is typically much cheaper than branded versions, because generic manufacturers do not have to repeat the original research and development. The active ingredient and strength are the same. Since orlistat is often taken three times a day for months, a lower orlistat price can make a real difference to the overall cost of treatment. You can compare options in our Weight Loss category.

Orlistat 120 mg is a prescription medicine, and a valid prescription is required to order it from RxPillTab.

FAQs

How much weight can I lose with orlistat?

It varies from person to person. Orlistat adds a modest extra benefit to a reduced-calorie diet. Your doctor will usually review progress after around 12 weeks.

Do I take orlistat if my meal has no fat?

No. If a meal contains no fat, or you skip a meal, you should skip that dose.

When should I take a multivitamin with orlistat?

Take it at least two hours before or after your orlistat dose, for example at bedtime.

Is generic orlistat the same as the brand?

Generic orlistat contains the same active ingredient at the same strength, so it works in the same way. Differences are usually limited to the name, packaging and inactive ingredients.

How can I reduce the side effects?

Keeping fat intake to around 30% of your daily calories and spreading it evenly across meals usually reduces digestive side effects.

The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace professional advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting any medicine. Read our full medical disclaimer.