Page 1 of 4

View this article online at: patient.info/medicine/orlistat-capsules-alli-beacita-xenical

Orlistat capsules (Alli, Beacita, Xenical)

Take one capsule three times daily with your main meals.

If there is no fat in one of your meals, or if you miss a meal, there is no need for you to take
a dose of orlistat.

Common side-effects include wind, loose stools and back passage (rectal) spotting,
particularly at the beginning of treatment. These effects can be reduced by eating less fat in
your meals.

About orlistat
Type of medicine An anti-obesity medicine
Used for The treatment of obesity alongside a reduced-calorie diet
Also called Xenical®; Beacita®; Alli®
Available as Capsules

Orlistat is a medicine that can help you to lose weight if you are obese or overweight. It works by interfering with
the way fat is digested and absorbed by your body. It prevents the action of enzymes found in the digestive juices
of your stomach and small intestine. These enzymes normally break down the fat which you consume in your
diet and allows it to be absorbed into your bloodstream. By blocking the enzymes' action, orlistat reduces the
digestion of fat. This allows the fat you have eaten to be passed out of your body instead of being absorbed by
your body, and this helps you to lose weight.

Orlistat only prevents about a third of the fat you eat from being absorbed so it is also important for you to eat a
lower-fat weight-reducing diet, and to exercise regularly.

Orlistat is available on prescription, and lower-strength capsules (Alli® brand) can also be bought from
pharmacies. It is not suitable for everyone and a number of guidelines apply as to who can be supplied with
orlistat - more information about this can be found in the separate health information leaflet called Orlistat - Help
With Weight Loss.

Before taking orlistat

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used
if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking orlistat it is important that your doctor or
pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.

If you have any problems with the way your kidneys work.
If you have a condition called chronic malabsorption syndrome, where your food is not absorbed
properly.
If you have a problem with the flow of bile to your liver, a condition called cholestasis.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.
 Page 2 of 4
If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available
to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.

How to take orlistat

Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
It will give you more information about orlistat and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects
which you may experience from taking it.
Take orlistat exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you to. There are two strengths of capsules - 60
mg and 120 mg. The lower-strength capsule is available from pharmacies whilst the higher-strength
capsule is only available on a prescription from a doctor.
The usual dose of orlistat is one capsule (60 mg or 120 mg) taken with each of your three main meals
of the day. Swallow the capsule with a drink of water as you are about to eat the meal or soon
afterwards. It can be taken up to one hour after a meal. Do not take more than three doses a day.
Orlistat only works when there are fats in what you eat, so if you miss a meal or if you eat a meal
which is fat-free then do not take a dose of orlistat.
If you forget to take a dose, do not worry, just take a capsule with your next meal as usual. Do not take
two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

Orlistat is only suitable if your body mass index (BMI) is 28 kg/m2 or greater. BMI is calculated by
dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in metres. So, for example, if you weigh
85 kg and are 1.7 metres tall, your BMI is 85/(1.7 x 1.7), which is 29. Alternatively, your practice nurse
can measure and weigh you, and tell you your BMI.
To lose weight, the best chance of long-term success is to eat a well-balanced, calorie-controlled diet
that is low in fat and rich in fruit and vegetables. If you are able, you should also exercise regularly. See
the separate condition leaflet called Weight Reduction - How to Lose Weight for more details. Your
practice nurse will be able to give you further help and advice about eating a healthy diet and taking
suitable exercise.
If you have bought orlistat from a pharmacy, check your weight regularly and, if you have not lost
weight after three months, see your doctor or pharmacist for further advice. You must lose at least 5%
of your weight within three months from starting orlistat; if not, the treatment should be stopped. Do not
continue taking orlistat for longer than six months without seeing a doctor.
If you have been prescribed orlistat , your doctor will want to review your weight and treatment
regularly to decide if it is still appropriate for you to carry on taking orlistat. You must lose at least 5% of
your weight within three months from starting orlistat; if not, the treatment is likely to be stopped. It may
also be necessary for you to have some blood tests during treatment to check your blood lipids. If you
continue to lose weight after six months, your doctor may advise that you continue to take orlistat for
up to a year, or possibly longer.
The fat which remains undigested from your diet can cause changes in your bowel habit, resulting in
wind, loose stools, and oily spotting from your back passage. Reducing the amount of fat you eat in
your meals will reduce the likelihood of these harmless, but unpleasant, side-effects.
Orlistat can interfere with the absorbtion of various medicines, including possibly the contraceptive pill.
If you take 'the pill' and you have severe diarrhoea as a side-effect of taking orlistat, it could reduce the
effectiveness of the contraception. If you experience diarrhoea, use another method of contraception in
addition to the pill - for example, a condom.
Orlistat can also interfere with the absorption of vitamins which are fat-soluble. These are vitamins A,
D, E and K. If you decide to take a multivitamin supplement, take it at a time when you are not also
taking orlistat. The best time to take the supplement would be at bedtime.
If you have diabetes, it is important that you speak with a doctor before you start taking orlistat, as it
can affect the control of your diabetes. This may require extra monitoring.
After you stop taking orlistat, you may put some weight back on. Remembering to continue with your
healthy eating and increased level of physical activity can help to prevent this.

Can orlistat cause problems?

 Page 3 of 4
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone
experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with orlistat. You will
find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often
improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the
following continue or become troublesome.

Very common orlistat side-effects (these affect more than 1 in 10

people) What can I do if I experience this?
Lower tummy (abdominal) discomfort, oily spotting from your back These symptoms generally occur at the start of
passage, wind, loose oily stools, an urgent need to open your bowels, treatment as your body is adjusting. Reducing the fat
pain around your back passage content in your meals will help
Headache Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable
painkiller
Throat and chest infections, flu-like symptoms If troublesome, speak with your doctor or pharmacist
for advice

Important: if you experience any bleeding from your back passage, speak with your doctor for advice.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the capsules, speak with your doctor or
pharmacist for further advice.

How to store orlistat

Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this
medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is
empty.

If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are
taking.

This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.

If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

Further reading & references

Manufacturer's PIL, Xenical® 120 mg hard capsules; Roche Products Limited, The electronic Medicines Compendium.
Dated June 2014.
Manufacturer's PIL, Alli® 60 mg hard capsules; GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, The electronic Medicines
Compendium. Updated June 2014.
British National Formulary; 67th Edition (March 2014) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of
Great Britain, London
 Page 4 of 4
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical
conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its
accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
For details see our conditions.

Original Author: Current Version: Peer Reviewer:

Helen Allen Helen Allen Dr Adrian Bonsall
Document ID: Last Checked: Next Review:
1437 (v29) 21/10/2014 20/10/2017

View this article online at: patient.info/medicine/orlistat-capsules-alli-beacita-xenical

Discuss Orlistat capsules (Alli, Beacita, Xenical) and find more trusted resources at Patient.

© EMIS Group plc - all rights reserved.