Buy Orlistat

Buy orlistat online from our safe and regulated UK pharmacy. This medicine requires a prescription. To purchase orlistat 120mg capsules complete our short online questionnaire which will be assessed by our in-house clinicians and if approved, dispatched and delivered to your door using our next day delivery service.

Orlistat Prices

Name & Dosage	x42 Capsules (2 Weeks)	x84 Capsules (4 Weeks)	x168 Capsules (8 Weeks)	x252 Capsules (12 Weeks)
Orlistat 120mg Capsules (2 Weeks)	£16.99
Orlistat 120mg Capsules (4 Weeks)		£33.95
Orlistat 120mg Capsules (8 Weeks)			£67.89
Orlistat 120mg Capsules (12 Weeks)				£98.89

Summary for Orlistat

Medication Class	Lipase inhibitor
Mechanism of action	Inhibits the absorption of fat from food
Active ingredient	Orlistat
Strength	120 mg
Effective within	Immediately blocks fat, however noticeable weight loss can take several weeks to show
Dosage Instructions	One capsule, three times a day
Manufacturer	Pharmaceutical Works POLPHARMA SA
Use with alcohol	Not recommended

About Orlistat

Key Points What is Orlistat? How Does Orlistat Work? How Long Does Orlistat Take to Work? What Happens if You Take Orlistat Without Eating? How to Get the Best Results with Orlistat When to Take Orlistat When to Stop Taking Orlistat What Happens When You Stop Taking Orlistat How Long Does Orlistat Stay in Your System? Can I Use Orlistat with Other Medications? Orlistat and Alcohol Can I Take Orlistat with the Contraceptive Pill? Orlistat Alternatives Orlistat Ingredients

Key Points

Orlistat helps you safely lose weight in 6 to 12 months
It stops enzymes breaking down fat in your digestive system and removes it from your body
To be taken alongside a calorie-controlled diet and active lifestyle

What is Orlistat?

Orlistat is a medication used to help reduce weight in obesity. It is one of the few licensed diet pills available. It also supports individuals to help maintain weight loss by reducing the chance of putting weight back on. Orlistat is taken with meals and blocks around 30-40% of fat from being absorbed by your body, passing it out in your stools. It works best with a reduced calorie diet, and clinical trials have suggested it can also be beneficial to blood pressure and diabetes. It is licensed for use in adults only.

How Does Orlistat Work?

It works by blocking stomach enzymes from breaking down fat. Orlistat mechanism of action stops the body from absorbing fat, and it passes through the gut in the form of faeces. This reduces the level of fat that your body absorbs, so that it is not stored in the body. As a result, you lose weight. Orlistat prevents the absorption of around 30% of fat that is consumed.

How Long Does Orlistat Take to Work?

Orlistat can take anywhere from around 1-3 months to work. You should aim to lose 5% of your starting weight. Orlistat is likely to help you to lose weight quicker, in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise plan.

What Happens if You Take Orlistat Without Eating?

You do not need to take orlistat for weight loss if you are not having a meal, or, if you are having a meal which is low in fat, for example, a salad. Orlistat has no benefit where a meal is not consumed, and may increase the chances of side effects, such as an upset stomach.

How to Get the Best Results with Orlistat

Studies and research have shown that orlistat is clinically effective in helping to reduce weight in obese individuals; however, to get the best results with orlistat, it is important to take orlistat tablets in conjunction with a calorie-reduced diet and an increase in exercise. This way you are likely to see encouraging results and avoid disappointment. Just remember, results will not happen overnight, or a week. It is important to be persistent and stay positive.

You can visit the NHS website for support on how to lose weight.

When to Take Orlistat

Orlistat should only be used by obese or overweight individuals who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30kg/m² or more. It can also be used by those with a BMI of 28kg/m² who have other risk factors for obesity related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. You must be above the age of 18 to use orlistat (in special circumstances, it may be prescribed for children over the age of 12 as an unlicensed use of the medication).

When to Stop Taking Orlistat

You should stop using orlistat once your BMI has reached 25kg/m². Alternatively, if you have not lost 5% of your starting weight after 2 months, treatment should be discontinued. You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

What Happens When You Stop Taking Orlistat

Once you stop using orlistat, you run the risk of putting on weight. This is because your body will start to absorb fat again. To lower the chances of this happening, continue to adhere to a healthy eating plan, and maintain a moderate to intense level of exercise. Whilst it is difficult to avoid fat altogether, it is a good idea to reintroduce fat slowly back into your diet.

How Long Does Orlistat Stay in Your System?

It takes around 1 to 2 hours for the concentration of orlistat to be reduced by half in your system. Most of the dosage is passed through your poo within 3 to 5 days after ingestion and it should be completely out of your system after this time.

Take one capsule immediately before, during or up to one hour after your meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Swallow the capsule with water
If a meal does not contain fat, you do not need to take a capsule
Avoid snacks that contain fat in-between meals

Can I Use Orlistat with Other Medications?

If you are taking other medications, you should seek medical advice before taking orlistat. This is because orlistat may affect the activity of other medications.

You should speak to your doctor if you wish to take orlistat, and you are taking:

Acarbose, used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Amiodarone, a medication used to treat an irregular heartbeat
Anticoagulants, such as warfarin
Ciclosporin, a medication usually taken after a transplant
Contraceptive pills
Medication used to treat thyroid problems, such as levothyroxine and iodine
Medication used to treat HIV
Medication used to treat epilepsy

The absorption of supplements of some fat-soluble nutrients, such as beta-carotene and vitamin E may be reduced whilst using this medicine. You should eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables and your doctor may suggest you also take a multivitamin supplement.

Orlistat and Alcohol

There is no direct interaction between orlistat and alcohol. Whilst it is safe to drink alcohol when taking orlistat, you should be aware that alcohol is high in calories, which can hinder your results.

Can I Take Orlistat with the Contraceptive Pill?

If you are taking the contraceptive pill and wish to use orlistat tablets, you should use an extra barrier of protection. This is because orlistat may reduce the absorption of the contraceptive pill.

Orlistat Alternatives

Orlistat vs Xenical

Orlistat is also sold under the brand name Xenical. They are essentially the same medication with the same active ingredient, which helps to aid weight loss in conjunction with a low-calorie diet. The main differences between the two weight loss pills are branding and price. Xenical has a licensed brand name which typically costs more to purchase than buying the unbranded generic version. Some people may choose to use Xenical because they are familiar with the brand and side effects, while others may opt for orlistat if cost is an underlying factor.

Orlistat vs Ozempic

Orlistat is an oral pill which targets fat absorption
Ozempic is an injection which targets appetite and blood sugar regulation
People who use orlistat can expect to lose around 5-10% of their body weight
Ozempic typically produces a more significant weight loss, 15-20% of body weight
Ozempic is a diabetes drug that also helps with weight loss in people with or without diabetes. It is currently only prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and not available as an injection for weight loss to protect supply for diabetes patients in the UK

Orlistat Ingredients

Active ingredient: Orlistat

Inactive ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose (E460), sodium starch glycolate (type A), silica hydrophobic colloidal and sodium laurilsulfate. The capsule shell consists of gelatin, indigo carmine (E132) and titanium dioxide (E171)

Orlistat Dosage Instructions

How to Take Orlistat

Orlistat capsules should be used in conjunction with an increase in exercise and a calorie-controlled diet. Your daily intake of fat should be no more than 30% of your daily calorie intake. For example, if your daily calorie intake is 1,800 calories, no more than 540 calories (30% of 1,800 calories) should come from fat. Most food packaging has nutritional information that can be used to help you.

Orlistat Side Effects

The main side effect associated with orlistat is stomach disturbances. This includes oily stools, diarrhoea, stomach upset and flatulence. Orlistat can also cause changes to your bowel habits, such as increasing the need to poo. Foods to avoid when taking orlistat include food with high fat content such as pizza, pies, biscuits and ice cream.

Long-term Side Effects of Orlistat

Orlistat is typically used for short-term weight loss and there are no long-term side effects.

Orlistat Warnings

You should not use orlistat if:

You have cholestasis, an issue affecting your bile
You have chronic malabsorption syndrome, a condition that affects your body’s ability to absorb nutrients
You have kidney disease
You have volume depletion, a condition where you lose body fluid that contains sodium
You are under the age of 18
Your BMI is under 30 (unless you have risk factors including type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, in which case your BMI should not be below 28)

Orlistat Interactions

Interactions are possible when taking orlistat. It’s important to inform your GP or pharmacist about any medicines you are taking, both prescription and non-prescription.

Orlistat and Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

Orlistat pills must not be taken during pregnancy. If you find out that you are pregnant whilst taking orlistat, you should stop taking it and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Do not take orlistat if you are breastfeeding because of the potential risks to the baby. Research into whether orlistat passes into breast milk is limited and therefore it is advised that mothers should not breastfeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clinical studies have found orlistat to be effective in reducing body weight and BMI, when used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. It’s important to note that results will only be achieved if this medicine is taken as part of a weight loss programme which includes changes in diet and exercise.

A clinical trial conducted by doctors looked at the effectiveness of orlistat over a 2-year period. The study looked at two groups of patients, one group that took orlistat and the other group that took a placebo (tablet that has no effect). The results showed that at the end of the first year, the group taking orlistat lost more weight than the group that took the placebo. During the second year, the participants followed a weight-maintenance diet and after the second year, the results showed that the group taking orlistat gained 50% less weight than those taking the placebo.

Another study looked at the weight, blood sugar levels and lipid (cholesterol) levels of 391 obese participants over a 57-week period. The results showed that those taking orlistat lost more weight and had a significant improvement in blood sugar and lipid levels than those taking the placebo.

Overall, there have been many studies looking at the effectiveness of orlistat in helping to reduce weight. Most studies conclude that orlistat does work and is effective in helping to reduce weight.

You are able to see orlistat reviews to find out how users found treatment.

Orlistat does not directly remove or break down existing body fat, instead it prevents the absorption of some of the fat in your diet. This helps reduce your total calorie intake and as a result you begin to steadily lose weight.

Orlistat is a licensed product and is used by many people to help reduce weight. It has been reviewed and tested for its safety and effectiveness. There have been many drugs that have been tested to treat obesity, but orlistat is the only one that has proven to be both safe yet effective. In fact, clinical trials have demonstrated that people taking orlistat showed an improvement in blood pressure, increased lipid levels and type 2 diabetes. It is unclear whether this is a direct result of orlistat, or the positive outcome of a reduction in weight.

Clinical trials have shown that those who took orlistat lost 50% more weight than those who didn’t. In theory, if you are to lose 10kg without orlistat, you will lose 15kg with it. However, this is theoretical, and we are all different and respond to treatments and dietary changes in different ways. Ultimately, orlistat is proven to help lose weight by reducing the amount of fat absorbed and is most effective in conjunction with an exercise routine and strict diet. It is difficult to predict exactly how much weight will be lost, but orlistat is an effective weight loss pill that has been proven to work.

If you have not lost any weight after 1 month of orlistat, you should review your diet and exercise plan. You may require help to adhere to a meal plan that is effective. You may also wish to increase the intensity and length of exercise. A healthy diet will prevent you from consuming calories, allowing your body to turn to existing fat stores for energy when exercising.

If you have not lost any weight after 3 months, you should stop treatment and speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Orlistat is available on the NHS as part of a weight management plan.

Orlistat 60mg comes in a branded version known as Alli. It is possible to purchase Alli over the counter. The higher strength xenical or generic orlistat, contains 120mg of orlistat and can only be obtained with a prescription, not OTC. You can visit your GP or buy orlistat online from our UK regulated pharmacy.

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Authored By

Abbas Kanani

Superintendent Pharmacist

Written by Chemist Click

First created 30th April 2025

Last reviewed 2nd October 2025

Orlistat x42 to x252 capsules