You can buy Orlistat (Xenical/Alli) as an over-the-counter alternative to Wegovy in the UK.

However, Orlistat is a very different type of weight-loss medication, and research suggests it’s not as effective as Wegovy in supporting weight loss.

What’s the difference between Orlistat and Wegovy?

Wegovy and Orlistat are weight-loss medications approved for use in the UK. However, they are different medications with distinct dosing schedules, costs, and mechanisms of action on the body.

Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor. Lipases are gut enzymes that break down fat from food, enabling the gut to transport fat into the body to be burnt for energy or stored in our fat cells for later use.

Orlistat blocks lipases, preventing some of the dietary fat from our meals from being digested. This leads to fewer calories being absorbed, which can support weight loss.

Orlistat is a prescription medication produced by two pharmaceutical companies in the UK:

• GlaxoSmithKline: Alli, 60 mg and available over the counter (no prescription)
• Roche: Xenical, 120 mg and available with a prescription

Wegovy is a weight-loss jab manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It’s a weekly weight-loss injection with semaglutide as the active ingredient.

Semaglutide is a that helps reduce hunger and appetite, allowing you to eat fewer calories, lose weight, and manage your blood sugar levels.

Wegovy is approved in the UK for individuals living with obesity to help them eat fewer calories and lose weight.

How much do Wegovy and Orlistat cost?

The over-the-counter version of Orlistat will cost around £18 a month, so it’s a very affordable medication.

In comparison, buying Wegovy and the injectable pens required for four weeks from Second Nature will cost £229 a month, rising to £299.

Should I try Orlistat or Wegovy for weight loss?

Orlistat is an affordable medication that is generally well-tolerated. However, it’s less effective than Wegovy. Wegovy is twice as effective as Orlistat for weight loss after one year.

So, if you’re looking for the most affordable weight-loss pill you can purchase over the counter, then Orlistat could be an option.

However, if you have a higher budget and are looking for the most effective weight-loss injection in the UK, semaglutide is a better choice.

Wegovy’s not a magic pill

Semaglutide is designed as an additional tool for weight management and, in most cases, shouldn’t be considered a lifelong medication.

Instead, it should be used to help you kickstart your weight loss and healthy journey while you commit to living a healthier lifestyle.

Ideally, we’d be able to lose weight without medication and lifestyle changes would be enough to support weight loss in the long term.

We’d generally recommend trying Second Nature’s before considering a weight-loss jab.

Changing your habits is the most sustainable way to achieve long-term weight loss, and it’s also less expensive.

At Second Nature, we’ve been trusted by the NHS since 2017 to support people with type 2 diabetes and obesity to lose weight, manage their blood sugar levels, and lead healthier lifestyles for the long term.

In 2022, the NHS in the BMJ that compared the weight loss outcomes of five providers in the National Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Second Nature was more than twice as effective at supporting weight loss than the other four providers.

However, if you’ve decided to try semaglutide (when it’s available) but need support in making positive changes to your lifestyle, Second Nature could be an option for you. But it’s worth noting that we have strict eligibility criteria.

Second Nature has support ips as follows – in how, where, for how long, and how much.

Uses of Orlistat

Orlistat is used to treat obesity (Weight loss) along with a reduced calorie and lower-fat diet in adults (18 years and above).

Therapeutic Category

Orlistat: Anti-obesity drugs

How Orlistat works

Orlistat works by attaching to the enzymes in your digestive system (lipases) and preventing them from breaking down some of the fat that you’ve consumed during your meal. The fat that is not digested cannot be absorbed and it is removed by your body.

Common side effects of Orlistat

• flatulence with or without oily spotting
• sudden bowel motions
• fatty or oily stools
• soft stools
• stomach pain
• fecal incontinence
• runny or liquid stools
• more frequent bowel motions
• anxiety
• headache
• respiratory tract infection
• low blood sugar levels
• flu infection
• rectal pain or discomfort
• tooth or gum disorders
• urinary tract infection
• irregular menses
• tiredness

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor if you experience:

• severe allergic reactions (severe breathing problems, sweating, rash, itching, swollen face, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, feeling unwell)
• In case of accidental overdosage or ingestion

Health Tips for Orlistat

• Orlistat works best when combined with a reduced-calorie, balanced diet that contains moderate amounts of fat, carbohydrates, and protein. It is not a license to consume large amounts of high fat foods
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, especially if you experience diarrhea as a side effect of Orlistat
• Take Orlistat at the same time each day to maintain a consistent level of the medication in your system
• Orlistat is not recommended for use in pregnant and breast feeding women
• Orlistat can reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and beta-carotene. To ensure you are getting adequate nutrients, consider taking a multivitamin supplement at least 2 hours before or after taking Orlistat

estrogen trials

Cautions when taking Orlistat

Side Effects

Stomach upset, diarrhea, or vomiting are not all. They are often the first questions with Orlistat and digestive problems in patients. So if you are going down this low dose (60 mg), make sure to consult your doctor first. If you are taking food-containing meals or take large meals, make sure to ensure that the meals are high in calories, right?

Yes! Can affect your experience of these side effects and how you can manage them. See about 6 condone and 6treatment for stomach problems and inflammation. So, if you are worried about orlistat side effects then contact our care team for more information.

Safety Information

• If you are allergic to Orlistat or have any other allergies
• Orlistat is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Do not take Orlistat if you are taking estrogen to treat early-stage hormone receptor positive (ABHIT) breast cancer. Orlistat can affect the treatment ofABHIT breast cancer. If you have a history of breast cancer or any other serious medical condition, tell your doctor before starting Orlistat

Orlistat is used to treat obesity and help in weight loss. Orlistat is to be used along with a low-calorie diet and regular physical exercise. Obesity is a common condition associated with excessive body fat, which in turn increases the risk of other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and heart disease. Intake of more calories than you burn by exercise or daily activities results in obesity.

Orlistat contains Orlistat, which works in the small intestine and stomach and prevents the action of enzymes that break down fat, which is absorbed by the body. Orlistat decreases the absorption of fat from the food you eat. Thus, fat passes through the gut and is excreted in the faeces, which makes the body unable to use fat as a source of energy or convert it into fat tissue. Thereby, Orlistat helps in weight loss.

Take Orlistat as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Orlistat for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. Some people may experience soft stools, sudden bowel motions, flatulence (gas) with or without oily spotting, oily or fatty stools, stomach pain, stool incontinence (involuntary leakage of stools), and runny or liquid stools. Most of these side effects of Orlistat do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.

If you are allergic to Orlistat or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Avoid taking Orlistat if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, as it may cause fetal harm. It is not known whether Orlistat is excreted in human milk. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are a breastfeeding woman. Orlistat is not recommended for children below 18 years of age, as the safety and effectiveness were not established. You are advised to take a multivitamin containing fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K at bedtime as Orlistat may reduce the absorption of certain vitamins in the body.

Contraindications

The following drugs are contraindicated with Orlistat intake:

• Antidepressants, including an SSRI, SSRIs, and/or an SNRI;
• Antibiotics, including trimethoprim or sulfamethoxazole;
• Antifungal drugs, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole;
• Antihypertensives, such as hydrochloride, and triprolium, triazolam, and/or triazolam;
• Calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine and diltiazem;
• CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as lansoprazole and risperidone;
• CAD/CV depressant drugs, such as codeine and/or isoproterenol;
• Diuretics, including spironolactone;
• Epilepsy medications, such as amiodarone, phenylbutazone, and tricyclic antidepressants;
• Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and levometchutin;
• Isonio-containing medications, such as quinidine and sodium phenylthiouracil;
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as phenelzine and selegiline;
• Mood stabilizers, such as lithium, carbamazepine, or rasagiline;
• Other drugs that may cause an enlarged prostate, or a high score, such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, and phenytoin;
• Rifampin, such as isoniazide, guanethidine, and bivirapine;
• S fentanyl;
• Thioridazine; and
• Xenical.

All drugs should be used only for you as it may cause an adverse effect on your health. If you have any concerns about taking Orlistat, please reach out to a doctor or pharmacist.

This medication does not cause spontaneous erections. In case of accidental sexual intercourse, do not let another drug interfere with your medicine. Anorgasmatic effects (persistent weakness, seizures, hallucinations, and blurred vision) may occur, which can be a symptom of cancer.

Xenical 120mg Capsules,when used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet, can be used for obesity management, including weight loss and weight maintenance.Xenicalworks in your digestive system to block one-third of the fat in the food you eat from being digestedThe daily intake of fat, carbohydrate and protein should be distributed over three main meals.pills can also block the absorption of some vitamins. You may wish to take a multivitamin supplement along with making sure to keep a well-balanced diet, rich in fruit and vegetables.

Components

The active substance isOrlistat. Each capsule contains120 mg of Orlistat

The other ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose (E460), sodium starch glycolate (type A), povidone (E1201), sodium laurilsulfate and talc. The capsule shell consists of gelatine, indigo carmine (E132), titanium dioxide (E171) and edible printing ink.

How to Use

• The usual recommended dose of Xenical 120mg is totake one capsule three times a day before, during or up to one hour after each main meal.
• Avoid foods containing fat such as biscuits, chocolate and savory snacks between meals.
• Do not chew the capsule - swallow whole with a glass of water.
• If you miss your meal or have a meal low in fat, you should not take your dose of Xenical pills.
• If you have been advised to take a multivitamin preparation, you should take it at bedtime or two hours after taking Xenical

Pack

84 Capsules

WeizingBy Zaglanar

At first sign of weight loss in our small clinical research laboratory, we have found that, when used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet, it can help to reduce weight by40%and49%of what you would gain from a healthy, balanced diet.

Our Xenical 120mg Capsules are ideal for:

• Weight loss in women of any age
• Stress-reducing properties
• Reducing the risk of gastrointestinal side effects associated with Xenical - like the formation of stomach ulcers

Note:

• Use with caution in women of child-reclusive, overweight or obese age>.
• Use with caution in patients with a history of hereditary degenerative peritonsillitis (gut bacteria overgrowth) or certain eye diseases
• Patients with autoimmune disorders including polydacty syndromes or multiple system atrophy
• Patients with pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis or a history of rheumatoid arthritis
• Patients with porphyria – concerned about the possible onset of severe renal failure or death
• Patients with certain eye disorders
• Patients with certain genetic diseases

Contains:E460>.

Side Effects

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the contents of the capsule.

Most side effects go away after a few days or weeks. If you want to continue taking the capsules, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

You can stop taking Xenical at your usual recommended dose ofone capsule twice a day on days three through seven of the weekYou can continue to take your Xenical on a regular basis for at least the next 6 months.

You can continue to make your preferred dose of Xenical if your doctor or pharmacist decides whether you are suitable for Xenical and you are beyond this. You can contact us directly to discuss whether Xenical 120mg is the right dose for you.

Drug Interactions

All medicines can interact with each other. You may need conditions treated or risk taken ahead of time.