Free BMI thresholds shown are illustrative. Final eligibility is confirmed by a UK prescriber during your free consultation.
Two of the most common UK semaglutide treatments at a glance. Your prescriber confirms which is suitable for you during your consultation.
Capsule, three times daily
Tirzepatide · weekly injection
semaglutide · weekly injection
No injections. No weekly dosing.
Alli® (Orlistat) is recommended as part of a comprehensive weight management programme that combines dietary changes, increased physical activity and long-term healthy lifestyle habits for eligible adults. Taken as an oral capsule with meals containing fat, up to three times a day, it works within the digestive system rather than acting on the brain or appetite hormones.
For adults aged 18 and over in the UK with a BMI of 28 or above who are looking for additional weight management support, this guide explains what Alli is, how it works, who can take it, how to use it safely, possible side effects, the role of lifestyle changes, and how the online pharmacist assessment works through EveryDayMeds. Alli can be purchased online from UK pharmacies, as well as in pharmacy settings, following a pharmacist assessment to help determine whether it is suitable for your individual circumstances.
Clinical studies have evaluated orlistat when used alongside a reduced-calorie, lower-fat diet and regular physical activity. Individual results vary and depend on factors including diet, physical activity and adherence to treatment. Weight loss typically occurs within the first six months. Individual results may vary, and treatment should always be combined with healthy lifestyle changes.
Learn more about how Orlistat works, using Orlistat safely, and taking Orlistat with diet and exercise as part of your weight management plan.
Different medicines have various effects. A pharmacist will evaluate which treatment, if any, suits your medical history, current health, and treatment goals.
| Alli® (Orlistat 60mg) | Orlistat 120mg | Wegovy® | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine type | Pharmacy medicine | Prescription medicine | Prescription medicine |
| Active ingredient | Orlistat 60mg | Orlistat 120mg | Semaglutide |
| How it works | Reduces fat absorption from meals | Reduces fat absorption from meals | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| How often is it taken? | Up to three times daily with meals containing fat | Up to three times daily with meals containing fat | Once weekly injection |
| Available through | Pharmacist assessment | Prescription after clinical assessment | Prescription after clinical assessment |
| Used alongside | Reduced-calorie, lower-fat diet and exercise | Reduced-calorie, lower-fat diet and exercise | Reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity |
Alli® is an over the counter medication supplied following pharmacist assessment, and it is not available on the NHS.
Start your online assessment to find out whether Alli® is suitable for you. A pharmacist will review your answers before any medicine is supplied.
Looking for extra support to lose weight? Alli® (Orlistat 60mg) may be an option for eligible adults who are following a healthier lifestyle. Rather than reducing appetite, Orlistat works locally within the digestive system to reduce fat absorption from meals containing fat.
Instead of making you feel less hungry, Alli works in your digestive system to reduce the amount of fat your body absorbs from meals containing fat. The unabsorbed fat then leaves your body naturally through bowel movements.
Alli is designed to be used alongside a reduced-calorie, lower-fat diet and regular exercise as part of a structured weight management plan. Before it is supplied, you will complete a simple online health assessment, which is reviewed by a UK-registered pharmacist to check whether the treatment is suitable for you.
For more information, see how Orlistat works and using Orlistat safely.
Every time you eat a meal with fat, your body usually breaks down and absorbs most of that fat during digestion. Lipases are enzymes that help digest dietary fat so it can be absorbed by the body. Blocking these enzymes allows some of the fat consumed in meals to pass through the digestive system instead.
As a result, about 25% of the fat from your meal is not absorbed and passes naturally through your digestive system. Since Alli only works on the fat you eat, it is best to follow a balanced, lower-fat diet while taking the medicine. Eating meals that are very high in fat may increase the chances of digestive side effects. Alli does not replace healthy eating or physical activity. Instead, it is meant to support these lifestyle changes as part of a broader weight loss plan.
Always take Alli exactly as advised by your pharmacist and follow the instructions provided with your medicine.
General guidance includes:
Taking more than the recommended dose will not improve results and may increase the risk of unwanted effects.
If you are unsure how to take Alli, speak to your pharmacist before starting treatment.
Obesity is a long-term health condition, and healthy eating, regular physical activity and sustainable lifestyle habits remain the foundation of successful weight management, whether or not medicines are used. Making steady, sustainable changes to your daily routine can support your overall health and weight management plan.
These changes may include:
Many people find that preparing healthier meals and staying active become easier to maintain when changes are made gradually, helping support long-term healthy lifestyle changes.
Although Alli is available without a prescription, it is not suitable for everyone.
Before the medicine can be supplied, you will be asked to complete a confidential online health questionnaire. In the UK, Alli is supplied following a pharmacist assessment to determine whether it is appropriate for you. A UK-registered pharmacist will review your answers to determine whether Alli is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
The assessment may include questions about:
If Alli is not considered suitable, the pharmacist may recommend discussing alternative options with your GP or another healthcare professional.
This assessment helps ensure that any medicine supplied is appropriate for your individual health needs.
Alli may be suitable for adults who are looking for additional support with weight management alongside healthy lifestyle changes. Before the medicine is supplied, a pharmacist will review your online assessment to determine whether it is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Alli is generally intended for adults aged 18 years and over with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 or above. Your pharmacist will consider your BMI, medical history, current medicines and other relevant factors before making a recommendation.
If Alli is not considered suitable, your pharmacist may advise you to speak with your GP or discuss other weight management options.
Alli may be considered for adults who:
Successful weight management usually involves a combination of healthy eating, physical activity and long-term lifestyle changes. Medicines such as Alli are intended to be used alongside these lifestyle measures.
Alli is not suitable for everyone.
Do not take Alli unless advised by a healthcare professional if you:
You should also speak to a pharmacist or doctor before taking Alli if you:
Your pharmacist will consider your individual circumstances before deciding whether Alli is appropriate.
Like all medicines, Alli can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Many of the commonly reported side effects are related to the way the medicine works. Because some dietary fat passes through the digestive system without being absorbed, digestive side effects may occur, particularly if meals contain a higher amount of fat. These effects usually lessen after a few weeks of use.
Common side effects may include:
Following a lower-fat diet while taking Alli may help reduce the likelihood of digestive side effects.
If side effects become troublesome, persist, if you develop severe diarrhoea, or you experience symptoms that concern you, speak to your pharmacist or another healthcare professional. Rare serious side effects can include liver injury and pancreatitis and need prompt medical advice.
Seek urgent medical attention if you develop signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe skin rash.
You can find additional information on Orlistat side effects and safe use of Orlistat through NHS guidance.
Before taking Alli, tell your pharmacist about any medicines you are currently taking, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, herbal remedies and supplements.
Alli may interact with certain medicines, including:
Tell a doctor or pharmacist if you take other weight loss medications or any weight loss drugs, as these may not be suitable to use alongside Alli. If you use the oral contraceptive pill, seek advice if you develop severe diarrhoea, as you may need extra contraception.
Your pharmacist will review your current medicines during your assessment and advise whether Alli is suitable or whether any additional monitoring or timing adjustments may be needed.
Do not start or stop any medicine without speaking to a healthcare professional.
Before starting Alli, it is important to understand how to use the medicine safely.
While taking Alli:
Because Alli may reduce the absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K), some people may be advised to take a multivitamin. If recommended, it is generally taken at bedtime or at least two hours after taking Alli. Always follow the advice of your pharmacist or healthcare professional.
Healthy habits remain an important part of weight management. Alli is intended to support these lifestyle changes as part of a broader approach to improving health.
Alli® is a pharmacy medicine containing orlistat 60mg for eligible adults, used alongside a reduced-calorie, lower-fat diet and regular physical activity. Before it can be supplied, a UK-registered pharmacist will assess whether it is suitable for you.
Alli works in your digestive system by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from meals. The unabsorbed fat then leaves the body naturally through bowel movements.
Unlike GLP-1 medicines, Alli does not work by affecting appetite or making you feel full. Prescription orlistat contains the same active ingredient and works in exactly the same way, but at a different strength.
Yes. Alli is a Pharmacy (P) medicine in the UK and is available over the counter at most UK pharmacies, so it does not require a prescription. However, it can only be supplied without a prescription after a pharmacist has assessed whether it is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Alli is generally intended for adults aged 18 years and over who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 or above.
A pharmacist will review your health questionnaire to determine whether the medicine is suitable before it is supplied.
The usual dose is:
Always follow the instructions provided with your medicine.
Treatment duration should always follow the advice of your pharmacist or healthcare professional.
If you have been taking Alli and have not noticed any weight loss after 12 weeks, speak to a doctor or pharmacist. Early progress is sometimes reviewed against your initial body weight. They can advise whether continuing treatment is appropriate.
If you forget to take a dose:
Do not take an extra capsule to make up for a missed dose.
There is no specific warning against drinking alcohol while taking Alli. However, alcohol contains calories and may make it more difficult to maintain a reduced-calorie diet. If you choose to drink alcohol, consider doing so in moderation as part of your overall lifestyle plan.
Yes, Alli is intended to be used alongside a low calorie eating plan and a reduced-calorie, low-fat approach. Spreading your daily fat intake evenly across your meals may also help reduce digestive side effects as part of a balanced way of eating.
A balanced diet that includes fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein remains an important part of long-term weight management.
Because Alli may reduce the absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K), your pharmacist or healthcare professional may recommend taking a multivitamin supplement.
If advised, it is generally taken at bedtime or at least two hours after taking Alli.
Some people may experience digestive side effects, particularly after eating meals high in fat.
Commonly reported side effects include:
If you experience side effects that concern you or do not improve, speak to your pharmacist or another healthcare professional.
Store Alli capsules:
Inactive ingredients listed in the product information include sodium starch glycolate.
If your pharmacist advises that the medicine is no longer suitable for use, return any unused capsules to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Speak to a pharmacist, GP or another healthcare professional if:
Seek urgent medical attention if you develop symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe skin rash.
At Everyday Meds, every order begins with a confidential online health assessment reviewed by a UK-registered pharmacist. This helps ensure that any treatment supplied is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
If Alli is suitable for you, you may buy Alli online after assessment through our registered UK pharmacy, which can be more convenient than visiting pharmacies in person. If it is not suitable, the pharmacist may recommend speaking with your GP or discuss other appropriate options.
Our aim is to make accessing healthcare advice and treatment straightforward, while supporting safe and responsible medicine use.
Complete a confidential online health questionnaire, and a UK-registered pharmacist will review your information to determine whether Alli® (Orlistat 60mg), one of the weight loss tablets available through the assessment process, is suitable for you before any medicine is supplied so you can start your weight loss journey with pharmacist-reviewed treatment support.
Your prescriber sets a starting dose and plan for you. The early days focus on settling in.
Cravings ease off, and eating well starts to feel less like a fight.
You'll feel it before the scales show it — more energy, a bit more like yourself.
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