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 now reduced the amount of oral semaglutide that you take in a given day.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.
What is orlistat (pearl of): orlistat is a prescription medication intended to be used at the recommended dose and length of treatment. It is commonly prescribed to individuals with syndrome score (a eating disorder) or eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia) with or without food use. However, it’s important to inform your health care provider of the medication’s use in a eating disorder situation.As with all medication, inform your health care provider of any medical conditions you are currently managing before starting treatment with orlistat. Orlistat can affect the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E and K). This can prevent individuals using this medication from getting adequate nutrition from the food you eat.
Orlistat can affect the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D), which can prevent you from getting adequate nutrition from the food you eat. This can also affect your liver enzyme (the producing process of the body’s cells) which can lead to reactions in your body with other medications. This may also affect your treatment with this medication.
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.
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More severe side effects such as headaches, nausea or vomiting, or sleep disturbances are common. If you experience any such side effects, seek medical attention immediately. These are symptoms of a serious adverse reaction to this medication.
This can prevent individuals taking this medication from taking adequate nutrients for energy sufficient for their day, leading to potential adverse reactions.
As with all medication, learn from their experience about possible adverse reactions to this treatment. Let them know if you are currently taking any type of medication, neurological agent, or herbal supplement. This includes prescription drugs,famous viral infection, etc.
Tell your provider if you are taking prescription medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol. Medications like blood thinners like warfarin can increase the risk of serious infections such as pneumonia or heart attack.
You should also let your health care provider know if you are taking any prescription or non-prescription medications. These medications may increase the risk of serious reactions, including serious systemic effects, such as skin rashes or sunburn.
You should also let your health care provider know if you are currently taking any type of medication for hormone-related conditions. Examples of these medications are (celecoxib), (linacal) fenofibrate, (letrozole), and (clopidogrel).
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This product is a Prescription Only Medicine (S4) and is sold by Healthylife Pharmacy, an independently owned and operated pharmacy business. This prescription product requires a valid Australian script.
Healthylife provides general product information such as nutritional information, country of origin and product packaging for your convenience. This information is intended as a guide only, including because products change from time to time. Please read product labels before consuming. For therapeutic goods, always read the label and follow the directions for use on pack. If you require specific information to assist with your purchasing decision, we recommend that you contact the manufacturer via the contact details on the packaging or email us at [email protected]. Product ratings and reviews are taken from various sources including Bazaarvoice. Healthylife does not represent or warrant the accuracy of any statements, claims or opinions made in product ratings and reviews.
Healthylife Product InformationThis product is a Prescription Only Medicine (S4) in a 120mg strength (5mL) dosage. Schedule a harm reduction order with the Pharmacy support line on 01743 317 most trusted Pharmacies and phone numbers.
Healthylife Australia 84 Capsules (6 Capsules)Do not take This Product if you are allergic to Orlistat or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Ask your pharmacist or GP before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep this product out of the reach of children and pets; it is not intended to act as a counsellor or a advisor for your health. Many health professionals feel that this medicine should not be usedaunchy or expired. If you have specific questions about this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Healthylife contains the following ingredients: Active Ingredient: Orlistat120mg. This is the recommended dose. The recommended dose is a one-time dose. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose. This product requires a valid Australian script. For Therapeutic goods, always read the label and follow the directions for use.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure.
Healthylife contains the following ingredients: Active Ingredient: Orlistat84 capsules. For Therapeutic goods, Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
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