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Orlistat is a prescription medication that helps you lose weight if you are overweight or obese. It helps you lose weight by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs when eating. Instead of being absorbed, this fat leaves your body when you go to the toilet. You take Orlistat capsules 3 times a day - 1 with each meal.
Orlistat works by reducing how much fat your body absorbs from meals. It does this by attaching to an enzyme called lipase, which helps your body absorb fat. Orlistat stops lipase from breaking down around a third of the fat from your meal. Instead, the fat is not absorbed and is excreted.
Orlistat usually has side effects at the start of treatment as your body gets used to the medication. These side effects are mild and more likely to occur if you do not stick to eating low fat meals. You can speak to your doctor if your side effects last longer than a few weeks or if they bother you too much.
Very common side effects include:
Most side effects will go away, but if you get serious side effects such as an allergic reaction, severe abdominal pain, or bleeding from your bum, go to A&E or call 999 straight away.
Obesity (2019) NHS (accessed 22 April 2022)
Xenical 120 mg hard capsules (2017) EMC (accessed 22 April 2022) Obesity Treatment (2019) NHS [Accessed 09 May 2022]About Online Doctor
We're a service that helps you order treatments online from UK-registered doctors with free, discreet, to-your-door deliveries.Reviewed by: Dr Clair Grainger in line with the Superdrug Online Editorial Process.
Dr Grainger studied at the University of Edinburgh and worked in hospitals before becoming a GP. She has an interest in respiratory, and sexual and reproductive health.
Last reviewed on: 18/05/22