What Is Orlistat?

Orlistat pills, sometimes referred to as ‘Alli’ or Xenical, are a weight loss aid that, when combined with changes in eating habits, improved nutrition, and an increase in physical exercise can help to maximise the effects of weight loss routines whilst also assisting an individual in keeping weight off that has already been lost. It is most often prescribed to people who are having extreme difficulties with their weight, and who may also be classed as very overweight, obese, or morbidly obese. Orlistat pills are also available over the counter (OTC) as ‘Alli’ but only in a lower dose; the highest dose is only available on prescription. The benefits of losing weight are vast and varied, from a decreased risk of disease and health complications, to an increase in lifespan. When you buy Orlistat online you must fill in our consultation form, as this will allow us to assess the suitability of this weight loss treatment. We would also always recommend that you speak to your GP before you buy Orlistat, especially if you are concerned about any drug interactions or side effects.

How Do Orlistat Pills Work?

Orlistat pills belong to a group of drugs known as lipase inhibitors. They work by blocking the enzyme called Lipase, which is found in your gut and in your digestive tract. The role of this enzyme is to break down the fat into smaller pieces so that it can be utilised or stored in fat cells. Therefore, when taking Orlistat pills this enzyme is less efficient which means that the fat absorbed from the foods that you eat is reduced. The total amounts of fat that are blocked by Orlistat is around 25%-30% (exacts will vary from person-to-person). This unabsorbed fat is then passed out via your stool.

The effectiveness of Orlistat has been shown in studies to be consistent when combined with an increase in physical exercise and an improvement of a person’s diet. On average, a 10% extra loss in weight has been recorded over a 6-month period. If an individual is indeed morbidly obese and their body composition is having severely negative effects upon their health and wellbeing, then this 10% as achieved by Orlistat pills is significant. There have also been studies that have revealed that Orlistat works to reduce the visceral fat tissue in an effective way. Visceral fat tissue is the type of fat that has been consistently linked with a wide range of disorders and diseases, including but not limited to:

  • Diabetes (type 2)
  • Heart disease
  • Strokes
  • High blood pressure

If you have found it particularly challenging in the past to lose weight and to keep the weight that you have lost off, then Orlistat pills could be a viable option for you. If you would like to buy Orlistat online from us here at PostMyMeds then please go to our weight loss treatments page.

How Do I Take Orlistat Pills?

Orlistat pills are taken orally, up to (and no more than) 3 times a day. It is always recommended that you take Orlistat at mealtimes, or 1 hour after eating your meal, so long as this meal consists of food that contain fats. If the meal contains no fat then there is no need to take Orlistat, and the dose should be skipped. It is recommended that the fat content of your daily caloric intake consist of around 30% of fats for Orlistat to be at its most effective. A 12-week course of Orlistat pills is ideal, with weight being monitored closely. If a pre-agreed weight loss target has been reached then the course can continue, however, if this target has not been met then it is usually considered best practice to discontinue Orlistat treatment as it will be deemed to have been ineffectual. A typical target amount is around 5%.

The drug itself can also make it harder to absorb some essential nutrients or vitamins, including Vitamin A, D, E, K and beta carotene. It is therefore suggested that you take a multivitamin or vitamin supplement following your taking of Orlistat, or just before bed.

Regarding the taking of Orlistat, it should not be co-administered with Cyclosporin. If you are currently undergoing a course of Levothyroxine, then you should take it at least 4 hours before or after Orlistat.

Potential Orlistat Interactions

There are some potential drug interactions that may make a difference on the effectiveness of Orlistat pills or on the medication in question. If you are currently taking or are planning (were prescribed) any of the following:

  • Anticoagulants (also known as blood thinners) such as Warfarin
  • Medications that have been prescribed to treat diabetes, such as Glipizide, Glyburide, Metformin or Insulin
  • Blood pressure medication
  • HIV/Aid medication
  • Thyroid disease medication
  • Seizure medication(s)
  • Other weight loss medication

Then do not take Orlistat without first having a consultation or a discussion with your GP, doctor or physician. Further to the above, if you are currently suffering from or have been diagnosed with the following:

  • Anorexia
  • Bulimia
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney stones
  • Pancreatitis
  • Thyroid disease
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Then again, as above, please consult your doctor, GP or physician before starting a course of Orlistat tablets. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or are currently at a healthy weight with a positive BMI, then Orlistat would not be recommended for you at this time.

The Importance Of Balance With Orlistat Pills

The balance with Orlistat is very important to ensure that the drug treatment is successful. This means that Orlistat pills are not a wonder-drug and should not be treated as such. A healthy diet (inclusive of healthy changes to your diet) as well as the adopting of an exercise routine are vital to helping you lose weight, as the drug itself is a weight-loss aid, rather than a sole method of losing weight.

Buy Orlistat Online With PostMyMeds

If you would like to buy Orlistat online then you can do so easily and simply with PostMyMeds. We have a range of different treatment lengths available online, from a 2-week course to a 12-week course. You can purchase Orlistat capsules here. If you would like to talk to a member of our team about a purchase or product you can get in touch via our contact us page. Or if you would rather you can call us directly on 020 8894 6080 and a member of our team will be able to assist you.

Although all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it should not be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions about your health, please speak to your doctor.

Authored Jul 02, 2019 by Joseph Issac, MPharm
Reviewed Jul 04, 2019 by Prabjeet Saundh, MPharm