You can buy Orlistat (Xenical/Alli) as an over-the-counter alternative to Wegovy in the UK.
However, Orlistat is a very different type of weight-loss medication, and research suggests it’s not as effective as Wegovy in supporting weight loss.
Wegovy and Orlistat are weight-loss medications approved for use in the UK. However, they are different medications with distinct dosing schedules, costs, and mechanisms of action on the body.
Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor. Lipases are gut enzymes that break down fat from food, enabling the gut to transport fat into the body to be burnt for energy or stored in our fat cells for later use.
Orlistat blocks lipases, preventing some of the dietary fat from our meals from being digested. This leads to fewer calories being absorbed, which can support weight loss.
Orlistat is a prescription medication produced by two pharmaceutical companies in the UK:
Wegovy is a weight-loss jab manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It’s a weekly weight-loss injection with semaglutide as the active ingredient.
Semaglutide is a that helps reduce hunger and appetite, allowing you to eat fewer calories, lose weight, and manage your blood sugar levels.
Wegovy is approved in the UK for individuals living with obesity to help them eat fewer calories and lose weight.
The over-the-counter version of Orlistat will cost around £18 a month, so it’s a very affordable medication.
In comparison, buying Wegovy and the injectable pens required for four weeks from Second Nature will cost £229 a month, rising to £299.
Orlistat is an affordable medication that is generally well-tolerated. However, it’s less effective than Wegovy. Wegovy is twice as effective as Orlistat for weight loss after one year.
So, if you’re looking for the most affordable weight-loss pill you can purchase over the counter, then Orlistat could be an option.
However, if you have a higher budget and are looking for the most effective weight-loss injection in the UK, semaglutide is a better choice.
Semaglutide is designed as an additional tool for weight management and, in most cases, shouldn’t be considered a lifelong medication.
Instead, it should be used to help you kickstart your weight loss and healthy journey while you commit to living a healthier lifestyle.
Ideally, we’d be able to lose weight without medication and lifestyle changes would be enough to support weight loss in the long term.
We’d generally recommend trying Second Nature’s before considering a weight-loss jab.
Changing your habits is the most sustainable way to achieve long-term weight loss, and it’s also less expensive.
At Second Nature, we’ve been trusted by the NHS since 2017 to support people with type 2 diabetes and obesity to lose weight, manage their blood sugar levels, and lead healthier lifestyles for the long term.
In 2022, the NHS in the BMJ that compared the weight loss outcomes of five providers in the National Diabetes Prevention Programme.
Second Nature was more than twice as effective at supporting weight loss than the other four providers.
However, if you’ve decided to try semaglutide (when it’s available) but need support in making positive changes to your lifestyle, Second Nature could be an option for you. But it’s worth noting that we have strict eligibility criteria.
Second Nature has been in medicine for less than two decades and it’s been going strong to support people with weight loss through the end of the month with the most weight-loss outcomes.Orlistat has been shown to cause mild side effects in some individuals. Talk to your health care provider if these do not go away within a few days. If you begin to experience more serious effects, seek medical attention immediately.
Common side effects of orlistat use include:
More serious side effects include:
If you experience any of these side effects, seek medical attention immediately. These are symptoms of a serious adverse reaction–or allergic reaction–to this medication and require treatment right away.
Orlistat has been shown to affect the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E and K). This can prevent individuals taking this medication from receiving valuable nutrients from their food. Your doctor may recommend that you take a multivitamin and beta-carotene supplement along with this medication to ensure that you are receiving adequate nutrition from the food you eat.
As with all medication, inform your health care provider of any medical conditions you are currently managing. Let them know if you have or ever had kidney stones, diabetes, liver disease, gallbladder disease, thyroid disease, or an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia). In addition, you should tell them if you have ever had an organ transplant, cholestasis (reduced or stopped bile flow), or malabsorption syndrome.
Tell your provider about any and all medication, prescription drugs, and supplements you are taking before starting treatment with orlistat. Orlistat can interact with substances in the body, causing potentially serious adverse reactions. Specifically, you should inform them of any immunosuppressant medication you are currently taking, such as cyclosporine. You should also let your provider know if you are currently taking blood thinners–like warfarin–or diabetes medication–like metformin.
In addition, let your doctor know if you are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are currently breastfeeding before starting treatment with this medication.
Nguyen Dininger, MD, PhD, MD; Nguyen Pham, MD, MPhDAuthorross TitleIn Treatment of Weight Loss with Orlistat (Alli) by Dr. Nguyen, a team of dietitians and healthcare providers across the globe is exploring the possibility of treating weight loss with orlistat. Dr. Nguyen's expertise in the areas of weight management and dietetics is well known for his dedication to creating a seamless experience for individuals seeking to achieve their weight loss goals. As a leading expert in the fields of nutrition and health, Dr. Nguyen is committed to creating a personalized healthcare plan that maximizes the user experience while providing the best possible treatment for individuals seeking to lose weight. This comprehensive article provides an in-depth analysis of the latest research on Orlistat's effectiveness and outlines the key points that Dr. Nguyen outlines for patients interested in seeking assistance with their weight loss journey.
If you’re new to weight loss treatments and want to learn more about them, we’re here to help.
Tablets like (the brand name for Orlistat) work by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs. Ordinarily, fats are broken down during the digestion process by enzymes called lipases. Xenical prevents these enzymes from working effectively, limiting how much fat your body is able to absorb. The remaining, undigested fat is then excreted.
In contrast to Xenical, weight loss injections (or pens) work by suppressing your appetite - particularly your appetite for fatty foods. Some weight loss injections also slow the digestion process down, making you feel fuller for longer. They’re simple to use - check out our for more information.
Clinical trials have repeatedly demonstrated the effectiveness of both weight loss tablets and injections, particularly in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle., participants using lost almost 15% of their body weight over a 15-month period.
Starting your weight loss journey is simple with IQ Doctor. To begin, click on a product and then hit the 'Start Consultation' button. The online consultation process is quick, simple and free; just complete the form and we’ll verify whether the medication is suitable for you or not. If it is, you can then place your order and receive it the very next day.
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, you can order medication and consume them alongside your diet and exercise routine or place an injection orders form online. It’s a breeze.
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was administered to 4,000 UK men ages 41 to 75. The researchers found that just under 7% of those who used Orlistat for weight loss experienced some degree of weight gain. This was primarily attributed to the fact that the medication works by targeting about 15% of the fat your body absorbs. This percentage increases to about 30% if you’re also using anlistat. Consult your doctor if you have any doubt or if you’re not sure about any consult.
Orlistat tablets are most effective when used with a healthy, low-fat diet. These injections work by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs. This works because the drug blocks enzymes that break down fat, thereby reducing the amount of undigested fat. As a result, orlistat can decrease the amount of undigested fat by nearly half. This is enough to keep you tempted to eat fatty foods and encourage regular exercise.
Orlistat tablets are also helpful for those who prefer to avoid the heat that comes with fasting. This is because these tablets do not contain fat, and they also do not affect the absorption of carbohydrates and proteins. Orlistat tablets do help you stay better hydrated by keeping you thirst-quVAL.
Orlistat tablets are the mainstay weight loss treatment for men. These tablets work best when used with a healthy, low-fat diet. These injections also help you keep you healthier and hydrated by keeping you better hydrated.
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Alli is a top weight-loss brand in South Africa,...View MoreAlli is a top weight-loss brand in South Africa, offering a range of effective products. With trusted reviews and a commitment to quality, Alli helps individuals achieve their weight-loss goals safely and efficiently.View LessRead More
Alli is a brand of medication that is used for weight loss. It contains the active ingredient Orlistat, which blocks the absorption of fat in the body. Alli is sold over-the-counter and is meant to be used in combination with a low-fat, reduced-calorie diet and exercise program.
- Alli was launched in 2007 by GlaxoSmithKline.
- It was the first FDA-approved over-the-counter weight loss medication.
- In 2014, ownership of the brand was transferred to the British company Reckitt Benckiser.
- Alli is currently available in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Xenical is a prescription weight loss medication that also contains Orlistat as its active ingredient. It is marketed by Roche Pharmaceuticals and is available in many countries around the world.
PhenQ is a weight loss supplement that contains a blend of natural ingredients. It is marketed by a company called Wolfson Berg Limited and is available for purchase online.
Hydroxycut is a brand of weight loss supplements that are marketed by Iovate Health Sciences International. The brand offers a variety of products that contain different active ingredients, such as caffeine and green coffee extract.
Alli Capsules are the brand's flagship product. Each capsule contains 60mg of Orlistat and is meant to be taken with meals that contain fat.
Alli is used for weight loss. It works by blocking the absorption of fat in the body.
Alli is meant to be taken with meals that contain fat. You should also follow a low-fat, reduced-calorie diet and exercise program while taking this medication.
Alli is generally considered safe when used as directed. However, it can cause some side effects, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Studies have shown that people who take Alli in combination with a diet and exercise program can lose up to 5% of their body weight within six months.
No, Alli is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
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Wondering? We're growing. Explore our Explore our AIved User-Focused Product section. We produce products every day with the full lifespan of a spoke.Orlistat is an prescription weight loss medication that is used for weight loss.
Orlistat capsules are the brand's flagship product.
Orlistat is meant to be used with a low-fat, reduced-calorie diet and exercise program.
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