What is Orlistat?
Orlistat is a medication that is used to help people lose weight. Studies have shown that Orlistat can help people lose more weight than if they were dieting alone. This weight loss drug is intended for adults over the age of 18. It is required to follow a reduced calorie, low fat diet when on Orlistat.
How does Orlistat Work?
It works by blocking the absorption of fats. This means when you eat food, you will not absorb the fats which are consumed. In a nutshell, it leaves behind the carbohydrates and proteins for your calories, while passing the fats through your system unused. This means you are not gaining calories from fat.
How is Orlistat Used?
Orlistat tablets are taken orally after each meal, potentially three times a day depending on how often you have meals. If you skip a meal, you can skip the Orlistat tablet. This is because it is only effective when you consume a meal. It is typically taken as 120mg capsules up to one hour after every meal.
Dosage
Orlistat 120 mg capsules are taken one capsule up to three times daily if required.
They should be taken immediately before or up to one hour after meals.
If you have a low fat meal or skip a main meal there is no need to take Orlistat; it only works when you have eaten a meal containing dietary fat.
Orlistat should be used alongside a low-fat, calorie-controlled diet to produce the greatest effects and reduce adverse effects.
Side effects from Orlistat may include:
abdominal pains, bloating or wind, the urgent need to open the bowels and oily, fatty, or liquid stools. These side effects are most common at the start of treatment and are most likely to occur after eating a high-fat meal.
Important: By restricting your intake of dietary fat to less than 15g per main meal you will decrease the chances of these side effects.
Active ingredients
The active ingredient in Orlistat is orlistat.
Inactive ingredients
The inactive ingredients in Orlistat are cellulose microcrystalline PH 112,sodium starch glycolate (type A), silica, colloidal anhydrous, sodium laurilsulfate, gelatine, titanium dioxide (E171) and indigo carmine (E132).
