Orlistat weight loss online

Orlistat acts as a lipase inhibitor. Lipases are enzymes your body uses to break down fat, so it can be absorbed in your intestines. Orlistat works by inhibiting gastric and pancreatic lipases in your gut. When orlistat binds to lipases, they become inactive, which stops your body from breaking down the fat. When this happens, the fat passes through your digestive system and is eliminated in your stool. And, absorbing less fat from food can lead to weight loss. 

Orlistat is most effective for weight loss when you change your diet and exercise habits. Increasing physical activity and eating nutritious meals that are low in fat while taking orlistat can boost weight loss and reduce side effects. 

Both Alli and Xenical can support weight management. Alli is a smaller dose that’s available OTC (without a prescription). Xenical is used at a higher dose that requires a prescription from a qualified provider. 

In clinical trials, people taking orlistat lost more weight than those taking a placebo. On average, people taking orlistat lost 10.2% of their initial body weight, while those in the placebo group lost 6.2% in 1 year. Clinical trials also showed that when diet changes were made, orlistat reduced weight regain over 2 years. 

Orlistat comes in a capsule. If you take Xenical, which requires a prescription, each capsule is 120 milligrams. Alli, which doesn’t require a prescription, comes in 60-milligram capsules. 

You take orlistat 3 times daily with each meal you eat that contains fat. You can take the capsule during the meal or up to 1 hour after. If you miss a meal or eat one that doesn’t contain fat, you can skip your dose or orlistat. 

Orlistat can affect how your body absorbs fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamins A, D, E, and K. So, your provider may recommend taking a multivitamin or other supplements daily before or after you take orlistat. 

For people struggling with obesity or regaining weight after weight loss efforts, orlistat may help. By blocking your body from breaking down and digesting fat, orlistat can lead to weight loss. Because this medication is most effective with a balanced diet and physical activity, taking orlistat may also contribute to healthier lifestyle habits. 

If you don’t tolerate orlistat well, discuss your concerns with your provider to help you determine what’s needed. Changes like reducing the amount of fat in your diet may help alleviate discomfort.

Some of the weight loss medications on the market aside from orlistat include Zepbound (tirzepatide), Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate). The medications are approved for weight loss in individuals who are medically obese or medically overweight and have at least 1 health-related problem, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems.

Each medication works differently. Xenical blocks fat absorption. Wegovy and Saxenda are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. They work by acting like GLP-1, a natural hormone that regulates appetite, stimulates insulin secretion, and improves blood sugar control. Zepbound is a GLP-1/gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) dual agonist medication. It mimics those hormones to prompt your body to secrete insulin and block glucagon secretion, reducing appetite. Qsymia combines an appetite suppressant (phentermine) and antiseizure medication (topiramate) with weight loss benefits to manage obesity.

While each of these medications can support weight loss, Zepbound, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Qsymia typically lead to more weight reduction than Xenical. In clinical trials, people lost up to 20.9% of their body weight in 72 weeks with Zepbound and 14.9% in 52 weeks with Wegovy. Clinical trials show that people taking Saxenda or Qsymia lost between 5% and 10% of their body weight in 56 weeks. After a year on Xenical, people lost at least 5% of their body weight and some lost 10.2%.

Wegovy and Saxenda are the most expensive of the medications listed, costing over $1,430 a month. Zepbound costs roughly $1,225 for a month’s supply. Xenical costs $465 a month whereas generic orlistat costs $673. Qsymia is the most affordable at up to $245 for 30 capsules. (All prices are from drugs.com and reflect its discount.)

Zepbound, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Qsymia are FDA-approved for weight loss and weight management in people who have obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related health problem, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart problems, or high cholesterol. All have side effects that may include, but aren’t limited to, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite, and headaches. Increased heart rate or blood pressure can occur with Qsymia due to containing phentermine, which is a controlled substance itself as is Qsymia, meaning it can lead to dependency and misuse.

The best way to find out which weight loss medication is best for you is to talk to a weight loss provider.