• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is orlistat?
Orlistat blocks some of the fat that you eat, keeping it from being absorbed by your body. Orlistat is used together with a reduced-calorie diet and weight maintenance to treat obesity in people with certain risk factors (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol or triglycerides). Orlistat may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of orlistat?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking orlistat and call your doctor at once if you have severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, and a fast heart rate. These could be signs of pancreatitis.

The following side effects occur commonly with the use of orlistat. They are the natural effects of orlistat's fat-blocking action and are actually signs that the medication is working properly. These side effects are usually temporary and may lessen as you continue treatment with orlistat:

• oily spotting in your undergarments;

• oily or fatty stools;

• orange or brown colored oil in your stool;

• gas with discharge, an oily discharge;

• loose stools, or an urgent need to go to the bathroom, inability to control bowel movements;

• an increased number of bowel movements; or

• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rectal pain.

Other side effects that may occur while taking orlistat include:

• problems with your teeth or gums;

• cold or flu symptoms;

• headache, back pain; or

• skin rash or itching.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take orlistat?
Take this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Orlistat is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Your daily intake of fat, protein, and carbohydrates should be evenly divided over all of your daily meals. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

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What is the most important information I should know about orlistat?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to orlistat, or if you have gallbladder problems, or chronic malabsorption syndrome (an inability to absorb food and nutrients properly). Before taking orlistat, tell your doctor if you have an underactive thyroid, a history of kidney stones or pancreatitis, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, an eating disorder, or if you take other weight-loss medications (prescription or over-the-counter). Do not give over-the-counter orlistat (Alli) to a child younger than 18 years old. Prescription orlistat (Xenical) should not be used by anyone age 12 to 18 without the advice of a doctor.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but no more than 1 hour after eating a meal. If it has been more than an hour since your last meal, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. If you miss a meal, or if you have a meal without fat, you can skip your dose of orlistat for that meal also.

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What other drugs will affect orlistat?
Before taking orlistat, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin). If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use orlistat, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. There may be other drugs not listed that can affect orlistat. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Orlistat has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. High-dose animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of embryotoxicity or teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. The manufacturer does not recommend the use of orlistat during pregnancy.

There are no data on the excretion of orlistat into human milk. The manufacturer advices that orlistat should not be taken by nursing women.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Chronic malabsorption syndrome or cholestasis.
• Known hypersensitivity to orlistat or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What does my medication look like?
Orlistat is available with a prescription under the brand name Xenical, and in a reduced strength as an over-the-counter brand called Alli. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Xenical 120 mg-dark-blue, hard-gelatin capsules Alli 60 mg-medium-blue, hard-gelatin capsules

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an orlistat overdose are not known.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking orlistat?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to orlistat, or if you have: chronic malabsorption syndrome (an inability to absorb food and nutrients properly); or gallbladder problems. Before taking orlistat, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: an underactive thyroid; a history of kidney stones; a history of pancreatitis; type 1 or type 2 diabetes; an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia); or if you take any other weight-loss medications (prescription or over-the-counter).

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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