Alli Orlistat Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Alli Orlistat Capsule is an over-the-counter weight-loss product containing orlistat 60 mg. It is approved for overweight adults aged 18 and older with a BMI of 25 or more, and is meant to be used together with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and regular exercise. It works in the digestive system by reducing fat absorption rather than by affecting appetite.

What is Alli Orlistat Capsule

Alli is an over-the-counter weight-loss capsule containing orlistat 60 mg, belonging to the peripherally acting antiobesity drug class. It is approved for overweight adults aged 18 and older with a BMI of 25 or more, and is used together with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise.

Alli Orlistat Capsule uses

• Weight loss in overweight adults 18 and older when used with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet
• Used along with regular physical activity as part of a weight-loss plan

Benefits of Alli Orlistat Capsule

• Can help you lose modestly more weight than diet and exercise alone
• May help lower obesity-related health risks such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol by supporting weight loss
• Helps prevent regaining lost weight when continued with diet and exercise

How Alli Orlistat Capsule works

Alli blocks an enzyme in your digestive tract called lipase, which normally breaks down the fat you eat. By blocking this enzyme, about a quarter of the fat from a meal is not absorbed and instead passes out of the body in bowel movements. This lowers the number of calories your body takes in. It works only in the digestive system and does not affect appetite or brain chemistry.

Alli Orlistat Capsule dosage

Take one capsule with each meal that contains fat, up to three times a day. Spread your daily fat intake over your main meals rather than eating it all at once. If a meal has no fat, you do not need to take a dose with that meal. Eating a high-fat meal while taking this medicine is likely to cause more severe digestive side effects.

Take a daily multivitamin at bedtime, since this timing keeps it well separated from your capsule doses. Follow a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and regular exercise program while using this medicine, and consider starting the diet before your first dose. Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.

If you stop taking it, continue following your diet and exercise plan, and you may need to restart treatment if you begin regaining weight.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule, 60 mg

Side effects of Alli Orlistat Capsule

Common

• Stomach pain or upset stomach
• Oily discharge from the anus
• Gas with oily anal discharge
• Oily or fatty stools
• More frequent bowel movements
• Urgent or hard-to-control bowel movements
• Headache
• Back pain
• Common cold symptoms
• Menstrual changes
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rectal pain
• Weakness
• Problems with teeth or gums
• Fever
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Flu symptoms
• Skin rash

Serious

• Signs of liver injury: itching, loss of appetite, yellow eyes or skin, light-colored stool, brown or dark urine
• Signs of kidney stones or kidney injury: back or groin pain, painful urination, blood in urine, swelling of the feet or legs, less frequent urination
• Severe or continuous abdominal pain
• Seizures becoming more frequent or severe in people who take seizure medication

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. Do not use this medicine if you are breastfeeding; it is not known if it passes into breast milk.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have ever had kidney stones or kidney disease, and stop use and seek medical advice if you develop symptoms of kidney injury or kidney stones.
• Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you notice signs of liver injury such as itching, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, or loss of appetite.
• No major direct interaction with alcohol is known, but alcohol adds calories and may make weight-management goals harder to achieve. Heavy alcohol use can also increase the risk of liver problems, so moderation is advisable.
• Orlistat does not usually impair driving or alertness. If you feel unwell from gastrointestinal side effects such as urgent bowel movements, abdominal discomfort, or diarrhea, avoid driving until you feel comfortable.
• Do not use this medicine if you have had an organ transplant, since it can interfere with medicines used to prevent organ rejection.
• Do not use if you are allergic to orlistat or any ingredient in the capsules.
• Do not use if you are taking cyclosporine, have a condition that affects how your body absorbs food, or are not overweight.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have ever had gallbladder problems, kidney stones, or pancreatitis.
• This medicine may interact with blood thinners like warfarin, and with medicines for diabetes or thyroid disease; your doctor may need to adjust your dose.
• Do not combine this medicine with other weight-loss products without talking to a doctor or pharmacist first.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 20 and 25°C (68 to 77°F)
• Keep away from excessive light, moisture, and heat above 30°C (86°F)
• Keep out of reach of children
• In the event of an overdose, call a Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical help immediately

When to see a doctor

• Stop use and see a doctor if you have severe or continuous stomach pain, which may be a sign of a serious medical condition.
• Stop use and get medical advice right away if you notice itching, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, or loss of appetite, as these can be signs of liver injury.
• Stop use and get medical advice right away if you have back or groin pain, painful urination, blood in your urine, swelling of the feet or legs, or less frequent urination, as these may be signs of kidney injury or kidney stones.
• If you take seizure medication and your seizures become more frequent or more severe, stop taking this medicine and speak with a doctor.
• In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away.

Alternatives

• Prescription orlistat (Xenical)
• Clinician-supervised weight-management treatment
• Dietitian-supported nutrition care