Description
Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor. It acts in the gut rather than on appetite, blocking some of the enzymes that digest fat so that part of the fat in a meal passes through the body unabsorbed. The 120mg capsules are licensed, alongside a reduced-calorie and lower-fat diet, for weight management in adults who are obese or overweight with associated risk factors.
One capsule is taken with each main meal, either just before, during, or up to one hour after. If a meal is missed or contains no fat, that dose is skipped. Oily or fatty stools, wind with discharge, urgent bowel movements and stomach pain are common, and are more likely after a high-fat meal. Absorption of fat-soluble vitamins can fall, so a multivitamin at bedtime is often advised.
Tell your prescriber about levothyroxine, ciclosporin, warfarin, epilepsy medicines or HIV medicines.
- Lipase inhibitor that reduces the amount of fat absorbed from food
- 120mg capsule taken with each main meal containing fat
- Skip the dose if a meal is missed or contains no fat
- Used with a reduced-calorie, lower-fat diet
- Oily stools and wind with discharge are common, more so after fatty meals
- Tell your prescriber about levothyroxine, ciclosporin or warfarin
