Orlistat

Generic Orlistat 120 mg – Prescription Weight‑Loss Treatment

What is Orlistat?
Orlistat 120 mg is a prescription medication for weight management. It blocks enzymes in the gut (lipases) from digesting about one‑third of dietary fat, reducing calorie absorption when used with a low‑fat diet and exercise.

Who might benefit?
This treatment is intended for adults with BMI ≥ 30 or BMI ≥ 27 with weight‑related health conditions (e.g. hypertension, type 2 diabetes). It is used when lifestyle changes alone have been insufficient.

How it works & dosage

• Take one 120 mg capsule three times daily with main meals containing fat.

• If you skip a meal or eat a fat‑free meal, skip the dose.

• The maximum daily dose is three capsules.

Effectiveness & evaluation

• If you don’t lose at least 5 % of your body weight in 12 weeks on a full dose, treatment is usually discontinued.

• In clinical trials, adding orlistat to diet and exercise produces modest additional weight loss compared with diet/exercise alone.

Safety & side effects

• Common side effects: oily or fatty stools, frequent bowel movements, flatulence, urgency.

• Because fat absorption is reduced, absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) can be reduced — supplementation is often recommended.

• Rare effects: possible liver or kidney effects; rare cases of severe liver injury have been reported.

• Some medications (e.g. levothyroxine) may require spacing and monitoring due to interaction potential.

Key precautions

• Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have chronic malabsorption, cholestasis or serious liver disease.

• Use vitamin supplements at least 2 hours before or after orlistat.

• Inform your clinician of all other medications you are taking.

Important notes

• Orlistat is a prescription‑only medicine, meaning it can only be supplied after a clinician’s assessment.

• It must always be used as part of a comprehensive weight‑management plan, not as a standalone solution.

• Regular follow‑up is essential to monitor side effects and weight progress.