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Orlistat

Orlistat Review (UPDATED 2024): Don't Buy Before You Read This!

The FDA-approved weight loss drug found in Xenical and Alli.

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What is it?

Orlistat is a weight loss diet pill that prevents dietary fats from being absorbed. It’s intended to be used alongside a reduced calorie diet, and only for certain people.

Orlistat is available via prescription and over the counter, and it’s sold under 2 different brand names. There have been clinical studies performed on this drug which showed weight loss results. In this review you’ll learn about whether or not it’s truly effective, how safe it is, what customers have to say about it, and what one can expect. A list of the top 10 diet pill supplements is made available here.  

Do You Know the Best Weight Loss Pills of 2024?

Orlistat Ingredients and Side Effects

Orlistat (also known as tetrahydrolipstatin)

Orlistat (also known as tetrahydrolipstatin): Drug that blocks the enzyme which is needed to break down fats. This is then removed through bowel movements, instead of absorbing the calories from dietary fats.

This only reduces fats, and has no impact on sugar, carbohydrates, or calories from protein.

It’s advised to take this alongside a doctoe recommended exercise and behavioral change plan. It’s not a long term solution for weight loss, as it’s required to make sure to establish new eating habits and lifestyle changes.

No more than 30% of one's calories can come from fat, in order to reduce the possibility for side effects. Possible side effects are many and they may include:

  • Reduced absorption of fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A, D,E and K.
  • Severe pain in the lower back.
  • Bllod in the urine and difficulty urinating.
  • Liver problems that can proote loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing od the skin and eyes, and nausea.
  • Kidney problems.
  • Sweling in the ankles.
  • Shortness of breathe and fatigue.
  • Fatty and or oily stools.
  • Increased bowel movements, loose stools ,and inability to control bowels.   

If this is prescribed, there is more of an increased risk for side effects, and special considerations need to be made. It’s only prescribed in people who are obese, or have an obesity related illness. To determine this obesity a BMI of 30 or more is needed or a BMI of 27 or higher if one has an illness related to obesity.

It’s also not advised to take this drug if one has a history of organ damage, an inability to absorb nutrients, and other health concerns.

It’s expected to produce some weight loss within 2 weeks.

A clinical study by the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews adds:

“modestly effective in reducing weight”

A one year study was performed and it reduced weight by 2.9 kg or roughly 6 pounds. It also showed:

“increased rates of gastrointestinal side effects and slightly lowered HDL levels”

Also, due to it being able to reduce fat soluble vitamins, it may also lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Another study was performed in 2024 by the British Medical Journey which found:

“incidence of acute liver injury higher in the periods both immediately before and immediately after the start of orlistat”

More than 3 times the amount of kidney damage was also seen in Orlistat users, than non-users according to another study in Ontario, Canada.

Yet another study was had which showed it lead to colon cancer in mice.

EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this supplement with a proven fat burner such as Sletrokor for better results.

Orlistat Quality of Ingredients

Much like other drugs, Orlistat has been shown to help with weight loss, but its results aren’t very effective. It has shown to reduce weight by 6 pounds in one year, which is roughly 0.5 pounds a month. Much greater progress can be done by other methods.

It’s also possible for it to promote many kinds of side effects. This is why it’s not considered a long term solution for weight loss.

It may actually cause a loss of certain vitamins,  which may have serious consequences to health. Nutritional deficiencies are serious issues which have been shown to be a leading cause for certain diseases and illnesses.

Another issue is the way this brand blocks fat. It has no other purpose to reduce calories from any other source. One still has to limit the amount of fat they eat as it can promote unwanted side effects. This makes this a limited option for weight loss, as it only has one benefit. This does not improve metabolism, reduce appetite, or have any other effect. A list of the top 10 diet pill suppleents is featured when you click on this link.

The Price and Quality of Orlistat

The pricing on this depends on the brand you seldct. Right now there are both Xenical and Alli. Each one also has a different price depending on location, health insurance, and other factors.

On average a 30 serving potion of Xenical sells for $172, Alli goes for $69.99 per 120 capsule bottle.

One still has to address both reduced calorie changes, and long term lifestyle changes. There’s also only been extremely modest weight loss, which when comparing the possible side effects, makes this a potentially risky drug to take.

This is an expensive drug which is not guaranteed to be helpful with weight loss. Studies have also shown it to be potentially damaging to overall health. Both serious organ damage and other common gastrointestinal side effects have been found via clinical studies. There have been some cases of rats getting colon damage which can lead to colon cancer.

It can promote many unwanted side effects, and it’s only useful for reducing calories from fat. There are alternatives via the top 10 diet pill supplements that are featured here.

Business of Orlistat

There are 2 different forms of Orlistat, each one with its own maker. Xenical is owned by Roche, and Alli’s owners are GlaxoSmithKline.

No returns are offered on either. Both companies have had major lawsuits for wrongful business practices.

Roche paid $500 million in criminal fines for a worldwide conspiracy to illegally fix prices.

GlaxoSmithKline was fined multiple times; in one case they were fined $3.1 billion by the IRS.

The FDA has also sent a warning to potential customers:

“People who take Xenical or Alli should be aware of liver injury with orlsitat”

“severe liver injury in patients taking weight-loss medication orlistat”

These cases show that people have had serious organ damage. The FDA confirmed that users have been hospitalized and that it was solely caused by Orlistat. Though it’s advised to seek the advice of a medical professional, it’s impossible to determine what kinds of side effects may result. Even once healthy people have experienced serious side effects.

EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results, our experts recommend using weight loss pills for at least 3 months. Save your money by buying a few bottles at once.

Customer Opinions of Orlistat

Here are some reviews featured online:

“Very slow to see results”

“Muscle cramps in my calves, constipation, frequently wanting to urinate”

“after taking the pills for 20 days and did not lose not even 1 pound”

“I got a terrible stomach ache within a week, kept passing out and couldn’t eat”

Some people experienced extreme side effects. Even with short use certain people were unable to keep taking Orlistat.  Issues included stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, loose and frequent bowel movements, fatigue, inability to do daily tasks, and much more.

Certain people may be susceptible to side effects, but it’s impossible to determine the kinds of effects from person to person.

There were also some compliants from people who mentioned they didn’t notice any weight lsos at all, even with diet and exercise. For these unlucky people, they were forced to stop taking it and ended up wasting money, since no returns are offered.

Customers also often listed nausea and bowel movement issues as a common concern. One also has to consider how much caloriues they get from fat, as it’s advised to only get 30% of one’s calories from this one macronutrient. Users often mentioned it’s difficult to determine the daily allowance of fat without having to do strict calorie counting each day.

Conclusion - Does Orlistat Work?

When considering Orlistat there needs to be a careful consideration of possible side effects, clinical studies, and what people have to say about it. The FDA has sent a warning letter of possible serious kidney damage caused by Orlistat. There’s also many possible side effects, and many customers did mention they experienced effects. Also, clinical studies have shown it to be only effective for up to 6 pounds of weight loss in one year. This is nowhere the amount needed for there to be noticeable results. Still, many custoemrs failed to see any change in weight.

There’s the 2024 best diet pill called Sletrokor which was rated as this way due to its all natural ingredients, potent weight loss, and customer approval rate. Many users mention it is safe and effective for helping with weight loss. It’s also shown to be good for appetite reduction, increasing metabolism, helping improve mood, and several other benefits. You can find out about this diet pill by clicking here.

Sletrokor is also backed by a full 30 day money back guarantee. If for any reason you want to schedule a return, you can do so with no questions asked. Click here to find out more about Sletrokor.

How Does Orlistat Compare?
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  • Has Only Natural Components
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  • Orlistat
  • 37 /100
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User Feedback

(Page 2 of 2, 27 total comments)

KatieConnecticut

+

I took part in a 3-month Obesity/Binge Eating study back in 2004 which included the use of a Placebo or Orlistat (Xenical) conducted by a local Hospital/Medical Center. I would meet with the doctor's weekly and was put on a low-fat diet and asked to do moderate exercise of 30-40 minutes 3 days a week during this study. At the time I was Age 39, 5 ft 7 and 200 lbs. and a cholesterol level of 265 (you had to have a BMI of 30 percent in order to participate in study, and I just made it per the weight and height chart). Half of the study participants were put on a placebo pill and half were put on Orlistat (Xenical). They did not tell the participants during the study which ones they were taking. At the end of the 3 month study, I lost 32 lbs. (down to 168 lbs.) and my cholesterol went from 265 to 199. I was told at that time I was taking Orlistat. The participants who took Orilstat lost more weight than the ones who took placebo and did the low-fat diet. I can only remember once having what may have been an oily stool. I never had cramps, diarrhea or any type of bowel accidents. It is now 2010, and I have put on 20 lbs. since. I am considering trying to get my family doctor to prescribe Orlistat. I have not heard anything negative about the medication, except for the side effects of oily stools, etc. I believe the people who have experienced the bad side effects are people who are continuing to eat fatty foods (such as pizza, cheeseburgers, etc.) and continue to take the Orlistat. If you follow the directions, you are to eat low-fat and also take a multi-vitamin. I look forward to trying out the Orlistat again. :)

posted Jan 13th, 2010 5:23 pm

rachael lowe

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i was taking orlistat for 2 years during this time the most i lost was nearing 3 stone but towards the end it was more like slightly over 2 stones. although my eating habits hadnt changed on some weigh in's there was a slight weight gain. i was taken off the pills as a locum doctor decided i had been on them too long and it is possible that taking these kind of pills for longer than is recommended could cause them to start havin the reverse affect. after a lengthy time taking 3 a day i was just stopped. since then i have been in total agony, i am constipated and bloated and the pain i experience when i do get to go to the toilet is eye watering. i am trying to find out if i should have been weaned of them after so long,or if it is safe to just stop. i am going to go back to my gp as i cant continue like this. on the plus side whilst on the pills i didnt suffer side affects,only when i first started going to the toilet was just masses of orange oil but this only lasted about a week. apparently it was pills working against the recent intake of fat i had taken pror to taking the pills.

posted Aug 28th, 2009 4:43 am

californiagirl206

I just started using Alli to help with my weight loss/control. I am not overweight but not where I want to be. I have always exercised and counted calories but found my hunger to be the problem. I have lost 5 pounds in 5 months just from exercise and eating about 200 calories less per day. I am very active/fit and find that cutting calories is very difficult for me, so even if Alli does block only 100 calories per day, that will add up to an extra pound per month. It seems if I add fat calories to my total day that will help so Alli will block more. I'm interested to see if this works. Anyone who has feedback please feel free!

posted Feb 9th, 2009 2:35 pm

Jonathan Harrison

If you have tried Orlistat, I would like talk with you about your experience. I'm shooting a documentary analyzing the options out there for weight loss and your story would be very helpful to people. Please contact me . You can see our work online.

Thanks, Jonathan

posted Jan 9th, 2009 5:30 pm

jennifer

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yael, the reason why you are probably having anal discharge is because you are eating things tha t has to much oli in it and that is the way alli or xenical get rid of the fat, by going to the bathroom for number 2. Try to cut a little more of the fat on your meal and you will see results.

posted Nov 18th, 2008 9:53 am

Jamie

+

I have been taking Orlistat for a month now and have been pleased with the results. I have lost 11 pounds so far, I probably could have lost more in one month but I have only been exercising 2-3 days a week.

I did not have effects like the other poster. Maybe a little gas, but orange oil wasn't leaking out of me. Honestly, in order to have orange leaking all over your bedsheets and sofa, you are probably eating very fattening, bad foods or not realizing the fat content in the foods you are eating. Remember, this is not a magic pill and you have to carefully monitor your fat intake. I hardly believe someone who calculates their food's fat content carefully will have to wear an adult diaper.

I am very happy with Orlistat and will continue to take until I reach my goal weight.

posted Oct 28th, 2008 11:18 am

yael

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I hate this diet!!! I ws on the prescription orlistat... alli is a 50% version of the drug and it made me anal discharge bright orange pure oil.... I had to wear huge overnight pads to keep it from leaking and if it did it stained and ruined everything... (i.e. my sofa, bed linens, undergarments and clothes) I didn't even lose alot of weight... maybe 7 lbs after a few months... I followed all insructions and still the weight loss was nothing as dramatic as the side effects of oily anal discharge ... and NO i could NOT control it..... I do NOT recommend this.....

posted Oct 7th, 2008 1:30 am


 

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BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND Start the Diet Now Advertisement

Orlistat is the popular drug, developed by pharmaceutical giant Roche, to treat obesity. Orlistat is probably more recognizable under its marketed names of Xenical or the over-the-counter drug, Alli. Orlistat’s primary objective is to prevent the absorption of fat that is consumed and thereby reduce caloric intake and ultimately body weight.

Orlistat works by inhibiting the pancreatic enzyme, lipase, which is responsible for metabolizing triglycerides in the intestine. Triglycerides are a fancy name for a kind of fat that is found in vegetable oils and animal fats. Without the enzyme lipase, triglycerides are not absorbed and are instead excreted from the body. The prescription form of Orlistat is given to overweight people that also have accompanying conditions of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or heart diease. Orlistat is also used after weight loss to help people prevent gaining back the weight lost.

There are uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effects that come with taking Orlistat. In addition, Orlistat’s weight loss effects are modest. Those taking Xenical, the prescription form of Orlistat, lost on average about six pounds more than those who just relied on diet and exercise alone during a one-year time frame. Taking the over-the-counter drug Alli results in an average of three pounds greater loss than just relying on diet and exercise alone within a one-year time frame.

Do You Know the Best Diet Pills of 2024?

PROPRO
  • Taking Orlistat correctly, can reduce weight
  • The FDA has approved Orlistat
  • The active ingredient in FDA-approved Xenical and Alli
  • Published studies proving results
  • Thorough dietary guidance
CONCON
  • There is no magic pill to weight loss
  • Orlistat has many gastrointestinal side effects
  • Orlistat may not be a long-term weight loss solution
  • Weight loss is modest
  • Must continue to take weight loss medication in order to keep weight off
INGREDIENTSINGREDIENTS

Orlistat contains a saturated form of lipstatin, a powerful natural inhibitor of lipase, the pancreatic enzyem that absorbs fat.  

ADMINISTRATIONADMINISTRATION

Orlistat is taken in a capsule form three times a day with a meal that contains fat. If the meal does not contain fat, then you should not take Orlistat.

At the standard prescription dose of 120mg, three times daily before meals, Orlistat prevents approximately 30% of dietary fat from being absorbed. Over-the-counter dosages, like the product Alli, contain 60mg of Orlistat. This amount prevents about 25% of dietary fat from being absorbed.Taking more Orlistat than the standard 120mg does not accelerate weight loss.

DIET AND EXERCISEDIET AND EXERCISE

Orlistat is always used in combination with a physician-monitored reduced-calorie and low-fat diet as well as regular exercise program.

You should also not consume foods that contain more than 30% of their calories from fat. This will increase the chances of experiencing gastrointestinal side effects. While taking Orlistat, each meal that you eat should contain 15 grams of fat or less.  It is recommended to eat 2-3 ounces of lean protein with each meal as well as filling your plate with good carbohydrates like vegetables and whole grains. Low-fat or fat-free versions of dairy and salad dressings should be eaten as well as asking for foods to be prepared without fat when dining out.

Since Orlistat also inhibits the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K, a multivitamin that also contains beta-carotene must be taken on a daily basis, preferably at bedtime or two hours after taking Orlistat, to ensure that your body is readily absorbing these necessary nutrients.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Orlistat is one of the only FDA-approved weight loss drugs. Even though it may help those who are overweight or obese to lose weight, it does carry some serious side effects. In addition, those who stop using the drug typically regain the weight back within a few months.

Since Orlistat also contains many contraindications, it is necessary to talk with your doctor before taking any form of Orlistat.

Common MisspellingsCommon Misspellings

Orlystat, Orilistat, Orlastat, Xenical, Zenikal, Ali, Alli, Orlistat.com

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