alli weight loss pills are a branded form of orlistat, similar to Xenical, but they contain 60mg of orlistat rather than 120mg. alli is available without a prescription and can be taken up to 3 times a day with meals that contain fat to help you lose weight.

alli works by blocking up to 25% of the fat you eat from being absorbed. Instead, it helps your body pass it out as waste in your poo. It works best alongside a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise.

alli vs orlistat

Orlistat is the active ingredient in alli. alli weight loss capsules contain a lower dose of orlistat, 60mg, compared to prescription-only versions like generic orlistat and Xenical, which contain 120mg.

alli and orlistat work in the same way by blocking fat absorption and helping you lose weight. They are just available in different strengths, and alli is available without a prescription.

alli helps you lose weight by blocking the absorption of fat from your meals. Research shows that taking 60mg of orlistat up to 3 times a day can block around 25% of dietary fat and increase the amount of fat in your stools within 24 to 48 hours of starting the medication.

It does this by binding to the enzymes in your body that naturally break down fats, to stop them from being absorbed, so they can pass out as waste. alli works best alongside a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise.

How effective is alli for weight loss?

Research shows that alli helps 47% of people lose at least 5% of their starting body weight after 6 months.

alli weight loss capsules are swallowed whole with a glass of water. You should take 1 alli capsule just before, during, or up to 1 hour after a meal that contains some fat – if you have a meal that has no fat in it, do not take alli because it will not work.

You can take alli up to 3 times a day. This usually means taking 1 capsule with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is important that you eat lower-fat meals to help reduce the chance of side effects, and that you increase the amount of exercise you do before you start alli. These lifestyle changes will help you lose weight while taking alli.

To give you a better idea: around 30% of your daily calories should be from healthy fats, and should be split evenly between the 3 meals you take alli with. It also helps to be in a healthy and safe calorie deficit.

You can also take a multivitamin every day if you are taking alli, as it could lower certain vitamin levels in the body that would usually be absorbed with fat. Choose a multivitamin that contains vitamins A, D, E, and K and take it at bedtime when you are not taking alli to ensure it is absorbed properly.

What if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take your alli dose and it has been:

• less than an hour since your last main meal, take the missed pill
• more than an hour since your last main meal, skip the missed dose and take the next one as usual with your next main meal

How long do I need to take alli for?

alli should not be taken for more than 6 months. If you have not lost weight after 12 weeks, your doctor may suggest that you stop taking alli as it is unlikely to work for you. They may discuss alternative weight loss medications with you.

alli is available over the counter from most UK pharmacies and over the counter from online doctor services. A pharmacist will need to ask you a few questions to make sure alli is safe and suitable for you before you can buy it.

Can I buy alli online?

Yes, you can request alli online from Superdrug Online Doctor. Simply:

1. Fill out a short online health questionnaire.
2. One of our doctors will review your medication request,questionnaire answers and photos to make sure alli is right for you.
3. If approved, your medication will be delivered to your address, or you can choose to collect it from a Superdrug Pharmacy the next working day.

Requesting alli weight loss pills online from us is convenient and lets you get them without a face-to-face appointment as early as the next day.

Can I buy alli over the counter?

Yes, alli is available over the counter without a prescription, but a pharmacist will need to ask you a few questions about your health and lifestyle to make sure it is safe for you.

Can I get alli on the NHS?

No, alli is not available on the NHS because it is a pharmacy-only medication. The higher dose generic orlistat (120mg) is available on the NHS if you meet specific requirements, such as a body mass index of 30 or more or a BMI of 28 or more with weight-related health conditions, like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

Like all medications, alli can cause side effects, although not everyone will get them.

Very common side effects, affecting more than 1 in 10 people, include:

• wind with or without oily spotting
• sudden bowel movements
• fatty or oily stools
• soft stools

Common side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10 people, are:

• stomach pain
• bowel incontinence
• diarrhoea
• more frequent need to poo
• anxiety

For a full list of potential alli side effects, read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication.

How long do alli side effects last?

Most of the mild alli side effects happen within the first 3 months of treatment and get better within a few weeks as your body gets used to the medication.

What to do if you get alli side effects

Most alli side effects are mild and can be managed at home by:

• taking over-the-counter painkillers, like paracetamol and ibuprofen, for mild pain
• getting plenty of rest until you feel better
• staying hydrated by taking frequent sips of water
• take a multivitamin that contains A, D, E, and K
• eat smaller more frequent meals, if you are feeling sick or have diarrhoea
• reduce your fat intake if you have gastric symptoms

If you are finding any of the side effects difficult to manage, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice. If you have any severe side effects stop Alli and seek an urgent medical review.

alli weight loss pills are not suitable for everyone. Do not take alli if you:

• are allergic to orlistat or any other ingredients in alli
• are under 18
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have problems absorbing food (chronic malabsorption syndrome)
• have a liver disorder called cholestasis
• are taking warfarin or other blood-thinning medications
• are taking ciclosporin

Before taking alli, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have diabetes or kidney disease.

alli and other medications

Before taking alli, you must let your doctor or pharmacist know about any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications you are currently taking or plan to take.

Do not take alli, if you take:

• warfarin or other blood thinners
• ciclosporin

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take:

• amiodarone
• acrabose
• levothyroxine
• epilepsy medications
• HIV medications
• high blood pressure medications
• medications to lower your cholesterol levels

If you take the oral contraceptive pill, alli can make it less effective, especially if you get severe diarrhoea as a side effect. You should use an extra method of contraception, such as condoms, while taking alli if you get diarrhoea.

Can I drink alcohol while taking alli?

Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking alli, but it is best to avoid it or limit your intake because alcohol adds empty calories to your diet and can make side effects worse.

Can I take alli with other weight loss medications?

No, you should not take alli with other weight loss injections or pills because it can cause interactions and serious side effects. If you think that alli is not working for you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist, who may recommend alternative weight loss treatments.

How should I store alli?

alli should be stored in its original container at a temperature below 25°C. Keep the medication out of the sight and reach of children and do not use it if it has passed the expiry date printed on the packaging.

Do alli capsules help with fat loss?

No, alli blocks the absorption of fat you eat in your diet, it does not result in any more fat loss than other weight loss medications.

How much weight can I lose with alli?

Research shows that alli helps 47% of people lose at least 5% of their starting body weight after 6 months of treatment. It works best when it is taken alongside a low-fat, calorie-controlled diet and a regular exercise plan.

Is alli as effective as weight loss injections?

No, alli is not as effective as weight loss injections, like Wegovy and Mounjaro. alli can help just over 46% of people achieve at least a 5% body weight loss in 6 months, while with Mounjaro, 96.3% achieve the same loss after 72 weeks. However, weight loss injections are not for everyone, and alli is available without a prescription, unlike injections, which require a doctor’s approval.

Will alli still work if I eat too much fat?

Not really. Although alli will continue to block some fat absorption, eating too much fat may not support your weight loss efforts and may make alli less effective. It is important to lower your fat intake to support your weight loss journey and to minimise the chance of side effects.