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
Maintaining a healthy weight isn't always straightforward. For some adults who meet the prescribing criteria, lifestyle changes combined with a prescription medicine such as Orlistat may form part of a medically supervised weight-management plan.
For some eligible adults, prescription treatment may form part of a wider weight-management plan.
Orlistat 120mg is a prescription medicine used to support weight management in eligible UK adults. Unlike medicines that work by affecting appetite, Orlistat works in your digestive system.
It works by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from meals containing fat. The unabsorbed fat then leaves your body naturally through your bowel movements.
Orlistat is prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie, lower-fat diet and regular physical activity. This page explains how Orlistat works, how to take it, who it may be suitable for, possible side effects and how to request treatment through an online consultation with a healthcare professional.
Because Orlistat works with the food you eat, following the dietary advice provided by your prescriber is an important part of treatment.
Orlistat 120mg is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) used to support weight management in adults who meet the appropriate prescribing criteria.
Each capsule contains 120mg of the active ingredient, orlistat. It works inside the digestive system by reducing the amount of fat absorbed from meals containing fat.
Treatment with Orlistat is intended to be part of a wider weight-management plan that includes a healthy diet, a regular exercise routine and ongoing lifestyle changes.
Before treatment is prescribed, a healthcare professional will assess your medical history, current medicines and overall suitability.
Orlistat should only be taken exactly as prescribed.
Your healthcare professional will recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your individual needs following your consultation, including an alternative weight loss treatment where suitable.
| Feature | Orlistat 120mg | Wegovy® Injection | Mounjaro® Injection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine type | Fat absorption inhibitor | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Form | Capsule | Once-weekly injection | Once-weekly injection |
| Prescription required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| How it's taken | With meals containing fat | Once weekly | Once weekly |
| How it works | Reduces absorption of dietary fat from food | An alternative weight loss treatment that helps regulate appetite | An alternative weight loss treatment that helps regulate appetite and food intake |
| Used alongside lifestyle changes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Healthcare consultation required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Orlistat is designed to support your weight-management journey, but it works best when combined with healthy lifestyle habits.
Following a balanced diet while staying physically active can help you build long-term habits that support your overall health. These changes may also help reduce the digestive side effects that can occur if meals contain a high amount of fat, and keeping fat intake to no more than 30% of total calories may help lower the chance of these effects.
Your healthcare professional may recommend practical changes such as:
Making gradual, sustainable lifestyle changes is often easier to maintain than restrictive diets or short-term approaches. Orlistat should be viewed as one part of a broader weight-management plan rather than a replacement for healthy eating and regular exercise.
Orlistat 120mg is a prescription medicine that supports weight management by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from food.
It is prescribed for eligible adults as part of a comprehensive weight-management programme that includes dietary changes, increased physical activity and ongoing support where appropriate.
Before treatment is supplied, an independent UK prescriber will review your online consultation to determine whether Orlistat is suitable for you. This assessment considers factors such as your BMI, medical history, current medicines and any health conditions that may affect treatment.
As with all Prescription Only Medicines, Orlistat should only be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional and exactly as prescribed.
Always take Orlistat exactly as your prescriber advises and follow the instructions provided with your medicine.
General guidance includes:
Follow the dietary advice provided by your healthcare professional while taking Orlistat.
Orlistat works by acting on the fat in your meals, so following the recommended dietary advice is an important part of treatment.
If you forget to take a dose, follow the advice provided in the patient information leaflet or speak with your healthcare professional if you are unsure. Do not take an extra capsule to make up for a missed dose.
Your prescriber may also recommend vitamin supplementation, as Orlistat can reduce the absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins. Follow their advice on when to take any supplements.
Orlistat 120mg is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) in the UK and cannot be supplied without a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional.
Before treatment is prescribed, you'll complete a confidential online consultation. This allows an independent prescriber to assess whether Orlistat is appropriate for you.
During your consultation, you may be asked about:
This assessment helps ensure that treatment is prescribed safely and appropriately for your individual circumstances.
If Orlistat is not suitable, your prescriber will explain why and may recommend discussing other weight-management options with your GP or another healthcare professional.
Orlistat may be suitable for adults who meet the prescribing criteria for prescribed orlistat and are looking for additional support alongside healthy lifestyle changes.
Before treatment is prescribed, your healthcare professional will assess whether it is appropriate based on your individual circumstances.
You may be considered for Orlistat if you:
Orlistat may not be suitable for everyone. Be sure to tell your prescriber if you:
Your prescriber will consider your overall health and medical history before deciding whether Orlistat is appropriate for you.
Like all medicines, the side effects of Orlistat can affect some people, although not everyone experiences them.
Many of the commonly reported side effects are related to the way Orlistat works in the digestive system. They are often more noticeable after a high-fat meal.
Common side effects may include:
These side effects are often more noticeable after meals that contain a higher amount of fat.
Following a lower-fat diet while taking Orlistat may help reduce the likelihood of these digestive side effects.
Less commonly, some people may experience other side effects. Always read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine and follow the advice of your healthcare professional.
Stop taking Orlistat and seek medical advice promptly if you experience symptoms that concern you or could suggest a serious reaction, such as:
If you experience side effects, speak to your healthcare professional for advice. They can assess your symptoms and advise whether any changes to your treatment are needed.
Orlistat may be considered for adults who meet the prescribing criteria and would benefit from additional support as part of a structured weight-management plan, including some obese patients where clinically appropriate.
It may be appropriate for people who:
Every person's circumstances are different, which is why a medical assessment is essential before treatment begins.
Your healthcare professional will consider your health, medical history, current medicines and treatment goals before deciding whether Orlistat is the right option for you.
Treatment is intended to be used alongside a healthy diet, regular physical activity and ongoing lifestyle changes.
Orlistat 120mg is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) used to support weight management in eligible adults. It works by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from food and is prescribed alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise routine. It is intended to support a wider weight-management plan.
No. Orlistat 120mg is a Prescription Only Medicine in the UK and can only be supplied following an assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.
(Please note that a lower-strength version containing 60mg of orlistat is available from pharmacies without a prescription. This page relates only to Orlistat 120mg.)
Orlistat works in your digestive system by reducing the amount of fat absorbed from meals that contain fat. The unabsorbed fat passes naturally through your digestive system. It works on the fat in the food you eat rather than fat already stored in the body.
The usual recommendation is to take one capsule with each main meal that contains fat, typically up to three times daily. It can be taken immediately before, during or up to one hour after eating. Meals that contain more fat may increase the likelihood of digestive side effects.
Always follow the instructions provided by your prescriber and the Patient Information Leaflet.
If you miss a meal or eat a meal that contains no fat, you may not need to take a capsule for that meal.
If you're unsure, follow the advice in your Patient Information Leaflet or speak with your healthcare professional.
A balanced, calorie-controlled diet with low-fat meals is recommended while taking Orlistat.
Following a lower-fat diet may help reduce digestive side effects. Spreading your calorie intake evenly across the day may also support treatment.
Eating meals that are high in fat may increase the likelihood of digestive side effects. Your healthcare professional can provide advice on healthy eating as part of your treatment plan.
Alcohol is not specifically prohibited while taking Orlistat. However, alcohol contains calories and may affect your overall weight-management goals.
If you have any questions about alcohol and your treatment, speak to your healthcare professional.
If you forget to take a capsule but more than one hour has passed since your meal, skip the missed dose and take your next capsule with your next meal containing fat.
Do not take an extra capsule to make up for a missed dose.
Some people experience digestive side effects, particularly if meals contain a higher amount of fat.
These may include oily stools, loose stools, stomach discomfort, passing wind and more frequent bowel movements.
Always read the Patient Information Leaflet and speak with your healthcare professional if you have concerns about side effects.
Orlistat may not be suitable for everyone. Tell your prescriber if you:
Your healthcare professional will determine whether treatment is appropriate for you.
As Orlistat 120mg is a Prescription Only Medicine, an online consultation is required before treatment can be supplied, and this assessment helps ensure the medicine is prescribed safely and appropriately.
A qualified prescriber will review your medical information, current medicines and overall suitability to help ensure treatment is prescribed safely and appropriately. If Orlistat is not suitable, the prescriber may discuss other suitable treatment options or advise you to speak with your GP.
Yes. Regular physical activity is an important part of a healthy weight-management plan. Orlistat is intended to be used alongside healthy eating and increased physical activity, following the advice of your healthcare professional.
If you're considering Orlistat 120mg, the first step is completing a confidential online consultation.
A qualified UK prescriber will review your medical information to determine whether treatment is suitable for you. If prescribed, your medication will be supplied with clear instructions on how to take it safely and effectively.
Weight management is a gradual process, and Orlistat is intended to be used alongside healthy eating, regular physical activity and ongoing lifestyle changes.
Start your online consultation to find out whether Orlistat is suitable for you.
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.
Some weeks are harder than others. Your care team keeps you on track.
Now it's about holding on to what you've built. No rush, no pressure.
Your whole journey in one app — how, simply, all in one pocket.
Achieve your goals in just a few simple steps.
Select safe UK treatments. Quick answers.
Our expert team will use your consultation as the basis of our recommendation and communicate with you.
We'll deliver direct to you, as quickly as tomorrow.
