About orlistat
Gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor
Used for
- Weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, alongside a reduced-calorie, lower-fat diet.
Usual adult dose
One capsule three times daily with each main meal containing fat, during or within one hour after eating.
Common side effects
- Oily spotting or leakage
- Urgent or more frequent bowel movements
- Oily or fatty stools
- Abdominal discomfort or gas
Important warnings
- Avoid during pregnancy or with chronic malabsorption or cholestasis.
- Take a multivitamin containing vitamins A, D, E, K at bedtime or separately.
- Very low-fat meals may reduce digestive side effects.
- Rare severe liver injury has been reported.
Pregnancy
Not recommended during pregnancy; weight loss offers no benefit and may harm the fetus.
Breastfeeding
Use is generally not recommended because effects on breastfed infants are uncertain.
Interactions
- Cyclosporine: reduced levels; separate dosing and monitor.
- Warfarin: clotting may change; monitor INR.
- Levothyroxine: reduced absorption; separate dosing and monitor thyroid function.
- Some antiepileptics and antiretrovirals may have reduced absorption.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.