Weight loss

Orlistat (Xenical or alli) weight loss medication for obesity and overweight adults. Available to buy online from Dr Fox.

Read medical information and answer medical questions to buy treatment online.

Weight loss medication

Prices

All medication supplied is UK licensed.

Orlistat

Orlistat 120mg

42-252 capsules from £15.50

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Xenical

Xenical orlistat 120mg

42-252 capsules from £26.50

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alli

alli orlistat 60mg

84-252 capsules from £40.20

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Prices

Medicine Quantity Cost
Orlistat 120mg (generic) 42 capsules £15.50
Orlistat 120mg (generic) 84 capsules £31.10
Orlistat 120mg (generic) 168 capsules £59.90
Orlistat 120mg (generic) 252 capsules £89.90
Xenical (orlistat 120mg) 84 capsules £40.20
Xenical (orlistat 120mg) 168 capsules £79.90
Xenical (orlistat 120mg) 252 capsules £118.00
alli (orlistat 60mg) 42 capsules £21.00
alli (orlistat 60mg) 84 capsules £36.00
alli (orlistat 60mg) 168 capsules £74.00
alli (orlistat 60mg) 252 capsules £104.00

Prescription issued online - small prescription fee per order.

Prescription fees

Dr Fox supplies medicine on prescription and charges a small prescription fee based on the order value of each prescription.

Prescriptions are issued by our doctors online and sent electronically to our pharmacy.

Order value Prescription fee
up to £10 £1.00
up to £20 £2.00
up to £40 £3.00
over £40 £4.00

If you have your own private or NHS paper prescription please post to our pharmacy (details).

Dr Fox prices are 25%–50% lower than other UK online clinics.

Delivery charges

UK delivery only: £2.90 per consultation via Royal Mail Tracked 24 Signed For (1-2 working days with tracking).

Parcel forwarding services are not permitted. Use only UK home or work delivery address.

Returns and refunds - unwanted items can be returned within 14 working days for a full refund.

Medical information

Written and reviewed by a team of doctors. Dr Fox is regulated by the CQC & GPhC.

  • Orlistat 120mg (Xenical) and orlistat 60mg (alli) capsules for weight loss in adults.
  • Orlistat 120mg capsules for use when BMI is over 30.
  • Orlistat 60mg capsules for use when BMI is over 28.

An overweight person has large amounts of fat stores and this fat is what contributes to their weight, body shape, and also many poor health effects. Orlistat reduces the absorption of fat and, as part of a lifestyle change, can help with weight reduction.

How to assess weight: overweight and obese

The words 'overweight' and 'obese' are medical terms, relating to the health risks from having too large fat stores. The World Health Organisation considers obesity to be a chronic disease.

We all have a general idea of what seems like a healthy weight, and what appears to be too much or too little. However, our mental picture is heavily influenced by the size and shape of the people we generally see around us, and so can often be unreliable. In fact three quarters of adults between age 45 and 74 in England are overweight or obese (HSE 2019).

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a calculation combining weight and height, which gives a clearer indication of whether a person is in the healthy or overweight zones.

BMI calculator

BMI and healthy weight

Weight BMI kg/m2
Underweight < 18.5
Healthy weight 18.5-25
Overweight 25-30
Obese 30-40
Severely obese > 40

Does being overweight or having obesity matter?

Yes! The bottom line is that people with obesity or overweight die younger from a variety of causes.

Many chronic conditions and cancers are directly linked to being overweight or obese. These include:

  • Coronary heart disease
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Stroke
  • Dementia
  • Breast cancer
  • Bowel cancer
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Respiratory problems and asthma
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Sleep apnoea
  • Depression and anxiety

Having obesity or being overweight can worsen general body aches and pains, and can have a marked effect on mobility, making daily life more difficult and leading to a lower quality of life.

It is recommended that anyone with a BMI over 30 should have a medical check up to assess and manage their personal health risks.

Studies show that people with obesity or overweight who lose at least 5-10 kg will significantly improve their general health.

How to lose weight

Our bodies are designed to store any excess food and calories as fat. This is obviously a good thing if food supplies are scarce. However in a developed society without major food famine, there is often a tendency to eat more than our bodies actually need and so more and more fat stores are laid down.

The simple answer to losing weight is to limit food and calorie intake to less than the body requires so that the body starts to use up the stored fat. But in reality it is often much more complex and difficult!

There is a huge industry promoting different programmes and diets to assist and encourage people in this. Some are scientifically developed, some involve low calorie replacement meal products, some can seem very extreme! Each person needs to find the method which works best for them, but losing weight will usually involve a commitment to a lifestyle change with new healthy eating patterns and more exercise!

Orlistat capsules have been medically proven to help with weight loss as part of those changes.

Weight loss is not easy and, sometimes it takes a long time and many tries, with weight going up as well as down, to find the best long-term diet and exercise solution for you. Remember - any weight lost and kept off will have permanent positive impacts on your health.

What is orlistat?

Orlistat is available as 60mg or 120mg strength hard capsules; as branded Xenical (120mg) or alli (60mg), and also as a generic medicine. The active ingredient is orlistat.

Orlistat inactivates the gut enzymes needed to absorb fat from food. When taking orlistat 120mg, about a third of the fat which is eaten passes straight on through the system and leaves the body in the stools. With orlistat 60mg, a quarter of the fat eaten will pass straight through. Orlistat reduces the calories being absorbed and contributes to weight loss.

  • Dr Fox supplies Orlistat 120mg (Xenical) for people with a BMI over 30.
  • Dr Fox supplies Orlistat 60mg (alli) for people with a BMI over 28.

Orlistat 120mg can also be used in some situations by people with a BMI between 28 and 30 if they have other risk factors for weight-related illness. Discuss with your regular doctor if you think you may benefit from Orlistat 120mg but your BMI is less than 30.

Orlistat will only help with weight loss alongside other changes including diet and exercise.

How to eat when taking orlistat

Orlistat is only effective if taken alongside a nutritionally-balanced, calorie-controlled diet. About a third of the calories should be from fat. Fat can often be 'hidden' within foods and it may be easier to use a fat calculator, initially, to work this out. The food, calorie, and fat intake should be spread evenly over 3 meals. Calorie and fat counters and diet apps may be helpful to set targets and monitor the diet.

A nutritionally balanced diet includes:

  • Five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.
  • High fibre, starchy foods.
  • Low fat milk and dairy.
  • Small to moderate portions of protein: meat, fish, eggs, beans, lentils.

Also:

  • Cut down/cut out high-fat foods, sugar, and salt.
  • Don't fry meals - grill or steam instead.
  • Cut down alcohol consumption (high in calories).
  • No snacks containing fat between meals - NO biscuits, cakes, savoury snacks, crisps.

This healthy balanced diet will lead to many health benefits as well as weight loss.

See also Diet plans for diabetics which are also really useful for non diabetics, prediabetics, and anyone wanting to lose weight.

How to take orlistat capsules

The capsules are usually taken 3 times a day, 1 capsule with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The capsule can be taken just before the meal, with the meal, or up to an hour after the meal. The capsule should be swallowed whole with water. If a meal is missed, or the meal contains no fat, then the capsule should not be taken.

If a meal is known to contain very high amounts of fat then it is best to miss out the dose of orlistat, as there will be significant side effects.

Benefits of exercise on weight loss

Orlistat helps to reduce the amount of energy (calories) which is going into the system, but weight loss will be more effective when combined with an additional increase in the amount of energy being used. Most energy is used by the body when active, especially when exercising.

Exercise is seen by many as very daunting, with talk of gyms and running or swimming. In fact any moderate increase in activity will contribute not only to weight loss but to improvements in general health. The easiest exercise is the simplest - walk more.

Lots of studies have shown that 20-30 minutes of walking per day makes a big difference to health. You may need to double this in order to really assist in losing weight. As well as exercise, the World Health Organisation (WHO) also recommends limiting the amount of time spent sitting, especially in front of screens.

For exercise to help with weight loss, the key is increasing the amount of exercise from what has been normal for you. As with diet, it is important to introduce more exercise into your life in a way which you will be able to maintain.

Simple ways to increase walking include:

  • Getting off the bus a stop early.
  • Walking or cycling to the shops instead of using the car/bus.
  • Choosing a walk instead of watching TV, even if you feel tired!
  • Walking with a friend instead of meeting over a coffee.

Of course you can still choose a gym membership, a new active hobby, getting a dog, etc. - but be sure that these will actually lead to an ongoing increase in exercise.

Who should not take orlistat?

Orlistat should not be used in the following situations:

  • Allergy to orlistat or other capsule ingredients.
  • Malabsorption conditions - unable to fully absorb food from the gut.
  • Cholestasis - liver and bile duct disorder.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Breastfeeding.
  • Under 18 years old.

Orlistat 120mg (Xenical) and orlistat 60mg (alli) should not be used together.

Special care with orlistat

  • Kidney stones may develop if you already have kidney disease.
  • Thyroid hormone levels may drop.
  • Fat-soluble vitamin levels (vitamins A, D, E, & K and beta-carotene) may fall. If the diet does not contain adequate fruit and vegetables, a multivitamin supplement can be taken at bedtime.
  • After losing large amounts of weight, the dose of many medications may need adjusting. Consult your regular doctor after significant weight loss if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, epilepsy, hypothyroidism.
  • Anyone who has suffered from Anorexia or Bulimia in the past.

Other medicines with orlistat

Contraceptive pills, including emergency contraception, and also period delay pills may not be reliably absorbed. Alternative contraception should be used.

Blood levels of many other drugs may be affected. If taking any of the following, discuss with your regular doctor before starting orlistat:

  • Anticoagulant drugs especially warfarin.
  • Ciclosporin.
  • Levothyroxine.
  • Amiodarone.
  • Acarbose.
  • HIV medication.
  • Anti-epileptic medication.
  • Diabetic medication.
  • Antidepressants, antipsychotic medication, anti-anxiety medication.

Possible side effects of orlistat

Orlistat is not absorbed, and mostly remains in the gut so most of the side effects are related to the digestive system. As it prevents absorption of fat, the fat passes straight through the system and may lead to symptoms such as: abdominal discomfort, an urgent need to open the bowels, flatulence (wind) with discharge, oily discharge, oily or fatty stools, or fatty diarrhoea. These side effects often settle with time and with reducing dietary fat intake.

If there is actual bleeding from the bowel, consult your regular doctor.

Headaches and upper respiratory infections are also sometimes reported.

Further information in the manufacturer's patient information leaflet (links below).

Weight monitoring whilst taking orlistat

Orlistat 120mg (Xenical) should be stopped if you have not lost at least 5% of your starting weight after 3 months of treatment.

If weight loss is continuing, orlistat 120mg can be safely continued indefinitely, but clinical studies have not continued beyond 4 years.

If your BMI drops to between 28 and 30, Dr Fox recommends swapping from orlistat 120mg to 0rlistat 60mg.

The manufacturers recommend that orlistat 60mg (alli) should be stopped after 3 months if there has been no weight loss, at all. Alli can be bought without a prescription. It is not recommended to be used for longer than 6 months in total. As with orlistat 120mg (Xenical), orlistat 60mg (alli) can actually be safely used indefinitely, but use of alli beyond 6 months is 'off label' and doctors take responsibility for the prescribing. Dr Fox does not prescribe alli, if your BMI is below 28.

Table showing 5% weight loss related to starting weight

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Dr Fox supplies weight loss medication on prescription - you are required to answer a short medical questionnaire before your order can be completed.

Dr Amanda Wood

Authored 05 December 2022 by Dr A. Wood
MB ChB Manchester University 1984. NHS GP in Bristol. GMC no. 2855422

Reviewed by Dr C. Pugh, Dr B. Babor
Last reviewed 05 December 2022
Last updated 19 January 2024
Editorial policy

References

  1. Medical questions
  2. Choose treatment
  3. Complete order

Answer medical questions to order(weight loss)

Honest & accurate responses are necessary for safe medical assessment

Have you read the medical information for weight loss?

See weight loss medical information.

Do you have obesity or overweight, with a BMI of 28 or over?

Use this BMI calculator to find out your BMI

Is your BMI between 28 and 30?

Are you aware orlistat should only be taken with a nutritionally-balanced, calorie-controlled diet?

  • You should eat three roughly equal meals a day.
  • Your diet should be varied and include at least 5 items of fruit or vegetables (to avoid vitamin depletion).
  • Just under a third (30%) of your total calories should be from fat.

Are you pregnant or breastfeeding or intending to become pregnant whilst taking orlistat?

If you have already been taking orlistat for over 12 weeks, have you lost the required amount of weight in the first 12 weeks?

  • Orlistat 120mg (Xenical) - 5% of your body weight should be lost after 12 weeks.
  • Orlistat 60mg (alli, Orlos) - there should be some significant weight loss after 12 weeks.

Orlistat is unlikely to work if these targets are not met in the first 12 weeks.

NOTE: If you have not yet been taking orlistat for 12 weeks answer 'Yes'.

Are you aware you should miss a dose of orlistat if you:

  • Have a very fatty meal.
  • Miss a meal.
  • Have a zero fat meal.

The combination of orlistat and highly fatty food can produce greasy diarrhoea. A fatty meal is one like fish and chips or a meal with cream, or cake. Missing a meal or taking a zero fat meal, means that there is no need for orlistat.

Are you taking any of the following?

The following medicines interact with orlistat:

  • Contraceptive or period delay pills (e.g. The Pill, combined oral contraceptive, progestogen-only pill, minipill, emergency contraceptive pills, norethisterone, Provera).
  • Anticoagulant drugs especially warfarin.
  • Ciclosporin.
  • Levothyroxine.
  • Amiodarone.
  • Acarbose.
  • HIV medication.
  • Antiepileptic medication.
  • Diabetic medication.
  • Antidepressants.
  • Antipsychotic medication.
  • Anti-anxiety medication.

Do you have any of the following?

  • Allergy to orlistat or other capsule ingredients
  • Malabsorption conditions - unable to fully absorb food from the gut
  • Cholestasis - a liver and bile duct disorder
  • Kidney disease
  • Thyroid disease

Have you ever suffered from anorexia or bulimia or another eating disorder?

If taking orlistat 60mg (alli, Orlos) for longer than 6 months, do you agree to Dr Fox supplying this to you 'off label'?

If a medicine is prescribed for an 'off label' (unlicensed) use the manufacturer is not liable in case of adverse events. Doctors take the responsibility for the prescribing.

NOTE: If ordering orlistat 120mg (Xenical) - or orlistat 60mg (alli) with under 6 months use - please answer 'Yes'.

Do you have any further medical information or questions?

Is there anything you do not understand or do you need further help?

Do the following apply to you?

  • The medication is for my own use and I will not share with anyone else
  • I am over 18 years of age and agree to identity verification checks
  • I will read the patient information leaflet supplied with the medicine pack
  • I understand my GP will be informed about the supply of medicine
  • I have completed this questionnaire myself and fully understand all the information
  • My responses are honest and accurate, and I understand that this is necessary for a safe medical assessment
  • I agree to the terms & conditions, privacy policy, data sharing policy & consent to cookies

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