Orlistat is a weight reduction medication. Orlistat is the generic name, the trade name of Orlistat as Xenical in most countries and is called Ally or Alli in UK and United States. Orlistat works by stopping 30% of your dietary fat absorption into your body. Instead of the fat being absorbed into the body, it passes out from the other end. And this effect is seen within 24 to 48 hours.
Where to Buy Orlistat (Xenical) in UK: Price Comparison
The oil passing is not a nice pleasant effect. It causes you to fart a lot and wanting to go to toilet a lot. And in a toilet, you’ll be passing out loose oily stools, and it often stain your undergarment as well. And because of these unpleasant side effects, it actually creates a negative reinforcement to your weight losing journey. Which means you stop eating fatty food because you don’t want to experience these side effects, which is a good thing.
How does orlistat work?
Well orlistat is a reversible inhibitor of intestinal lipases. It makes lipases unable to hydrolyze dietary triglycerides into absorbable fatty acids and monoglyceride. Undigested triglycerides are not absorbed which creates a calorie deficit and has a positive effect on weight control.
And orlistat is OTC medication. OTC means over-the-counter medication, which means a pharmacist can actually prescribe it. There are few things that a pharmacist will check before they prescribe orlistat to you. Number one is a BMI body mass index.
How do you calculate body mass index?
You take your body weight in kilos, divided by your height in meters and square the meter. So your pharmacist will weigh you and measure your height for this information. Now your BMI has to be 30 and above or 27 and above, if you have any other medical condition in order to qualify to use orlistat. If you are below 18 or 74 years old, there isn’t any safety and efficacy studies done in this age group. The pharmacist will usually send you to a doctor to get closer monitoring. Safety and efficacy studies have shown up to four years of usage of orlistat, if you’re using this medication over four years, let your doctor know so your doctor can have a closer monitoring on you.
Orlistat and diet
Orlistat is to be used in conjunction with strict diet plan and exercise regimen. Many people do regain weight after stopping orlistat. Now, to prevent that from happening, the strict diet plan and exercise regimen are essential while you’re taking orlistat. You need to drill that into your system until it becomes a habit.
So when you stop orlistat, the habit of good dieting and exercising are still there. And with that, you wouldn’t regain the weight again.
One thing to note, be careful with the types and intensity of exercises that you will be doing. If you have any other medical conditions like high blood pressure, or cardiac diseases, or if you haven’t been exercising for a long, long time, speak to your doctor about it. I would say to be safe, just speak to your doctor before you even start using orlistat to have a full body checkup.
Side effects
as with all medications there are some side effects or adverse reactions that patients may experience while using orlistat. So what were some of those here now? Some patients may experience abdominal discomfort, while up to 41% may experience abdominal pain. Deification urgency is a possibility. And 2-12% of patients may experience discharge from the anus. Some patients may experience flatulence, increased frequency of dentification, or 14% may experience a back ache. Up to 11% may experience a pain in a lower limb and about 31% of patients may experience a headache. Other patients may experience upper respiratory tract infections or influenza.
The most common side effect of orlistat is changes in bowel movement (BM) habits. This generally occurs during the first weeks of treatment; however, it may continue throughout your use of orlistat. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- oily spotting on underwear or on clothing;
- gas with oily spotting;
- urgent need to have a bowel movement;
- loose stools;
- oily or fatty stools;
- increased number of bowel movements;
- difficulty controlling bowel movements;
- pain or discomfort in the rectum (bottom);
- stomach pain;
- irregular menstrual periods;
- headache;
- anxiety.
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- hives;
- rash;
- itching;
- difficulty breathing or swallowing;
- severe or continuous stomach pain;
- excessive tiredness or weakness;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- loss of appetite;
- pain in the upper right part of the stomach;
- yellowing of the skin or eyes;
- dark-colored urine;
- light-colored stools.
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or lipidemia, you will notice that all of your conditions will start to improve as you are being treated with orlistat and doing your exercises and dieting, which is great news. Because all your conditions are improving, you need to see your doctor on a regular basis for checkups so that the doctor can adjust all the dosages of your other medication, which means some of your medication you actually can dose down to a lower strength, which is great means. And you get to save more money. So if you’re thinking of using orlistat for weight reduction, the first thing now is to get appointment to visit your local doctor or your pharmacist for further advice.
Is there any difference between Xenical, Orlistat, and Alli?
Xenical and Orlistat are the same medication. Orlistat is the generic name for the medication, while Xenical is a brand name.
Alli is also a brand name for orlistat, but it is available over-the-counter (OTC) at a lower strength (60 mg) than the prescription-only version (120 mg). Alli is intended for use by adults with a BMI of 25 or higher, while Xenical is intended for use by adults with a BMI of 30 or higher.
All three medications (Xenical, Orlistat, and Alli) work by inhibiting the action of an enzyme called lipase, which is responsible for breaking down and digesting fat in the diet. By inhibiting the action of lipase, these medications can decrease the absorption of fat from the diet, which can lead to weight loss.
Safety
The use of orlistat is not recommended if you have certain conditions. To name a few like cholestasis, major gastrointestinal surgery, chronic malabsorption syndrome, and there are many, many more. Your doctor and pharmacist will be able to identify these and let you know the appropriateness of this medication for yourself. So it is one of the medication that you shouldn’t be buying off the internet without seeing a doctor or pharmacist beforehand. And I wouldn’t trust online medication unless it’s from a proper pharmacy. You know that the source is coming from a real pharmacy, because there can be fake products out there as well.
Orlistat reduces the absorption of fat soluble vitamins, which is your vitamin A D E and K. So these vitamin supplements should be administered two hours before or two hours after you take orlistat.
Alli storage and disposal
Store this medication in the container it came in tightly closed and away from children to avoid any risk of misuse. Store it at room temperature or below, but not in high temperatures or humid environments. Make sure no one can access the medication, including yourself.
For safety reasons, you should never flush drugs down the loo. The best way to dispose waste medication is by taking it to a pharmacy such as Boots where they can recycle your product. There are programs in many places that make it possible for you to recycle drug containers or packaging so make sure to contact your pharmacist or waste disposal department. These programs let you leave drugs in their original container, which is later recycled and the medicine is disposed of appropriately.
Does Orlistat work?
One thing, you got to be realistic on your weight losing expectation. So you don’t get disappointed when you don’t meet those goals. Realistic short term goal is losing one to four kilos per month. Medium term goal is losing 10% of your initial weight. And longer term goal is to lose 10 to 20% of your initial weight. These are all guidelines, of course, there’s always exceptions, speak to your pharmacist and doctor about it.
Orlistat FAQ
Is Orlistat good for weight loss?
Typically, Orlistat is prescribed for those who are classified as obese or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above. This medication is generally administered as part of a comprehensive weight loss program, encompassing a balanced diet and consistent physical activity.
While Orlistat may prove effective for some individuals, it should not be considered a panacea, as its efficacy varies across users. Adhering to a well-rounded diet and engaging in regular physical exercise are crucial components for success when taking Orlistat. Moreover, it is vital to be cognizant of potential side effects, such as abdominal discomfort, flatulence, and alterations in bowel movements.
Prior to embarking on any weight loss regimen, including the utilization of medications like Orlistat, it is strongly recommended to consult with a healthcare professional. They can help ascertain the most appropriate course of action based on your unique needs and overall health status.
Is Orlistat good for reducing belly fat?
Orlistat may prove beneficial in reducing abdominal fat, given its capacity to diminish the absorption of dietary fat. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that Orlistat is not a universally effective solution and its efficacy varies among individuals. For the successful reduction of abdominal fat, adherence to a balanced diet, consistent engagement in physical activity, and the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle are essential components.
Is Orlistat safe to use?
Orlistat is typically deemed safe when administered according to prescribed guidelines. Nonetheless, it is imperative to remain cognizant of potential side effects, such as abdominal discomfort, flatulence, and alterations in bowel movements. Prior to initiating any weight loss regimen, including the utilization of medications like Orlistat, it is strongly recommended to consult with a healthcare professional.
Who should take orlistat?
Orlistat is customarily prescribed for individuals classified as obese or those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above. This medication is generally administered as an integral component of a comprehensive weight loss program, encompassing a balanced diet and consistent physical activity. Prior to embarking on any weight loss regimen, including the utilization of medications like Orlistat, it is strongly recommended to consult with a healthcare professional. They can help ascertain the most appropriate course of action based on your unique needs and overall health status.
How much weight do you lose with orlistat?
The degree of weight loss attained through Orlistat usage may vary based on numerous factors, including an individual’s dietary and exercise practices, as well as other determinants such as age and genetic predisposition. As indicated by the manufacturer, individuals incorporating Orlistat into their weight loss regimen can anticipate an average reduction of 5% to 10% of their body weight over a six-month duration. For instance, a 200-pound individual could potentially experience a weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds while utilizing Orlistat.